[nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

Thu Feb 4 03:45:35 UTC 2010

My question, and I hope this makes sense... is:
If these things, like screen reading software, and such is becoming a 
standard necessity for blind people, why hasn't the price gone down? I mean, 
that's normally what happens with technology right? New stuff is really 
expensive, but overtime as it becomes used by a large amount of people the 
price goes down. So, if their is a specific population of people using this 
stuff, why hasn't the price decreased?

Also, does anyone know if the tech manifactures have considred taking a look 
at assistive tech and trying to make built in features on their general 
pieces of technology? Like, a computer with built in screen reader 
capabilitys, but one that actually works well enough so that we don't need 
to go and buy a separate one. If it was standard and included wouldn't it 
cost less?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

> If there was a nonprofit company out there that made software comparable 
> to JFW it could solve the problem. This company would only request a 
> donation of whatever you can afford for the use of there software. This 
> would solve the problem without having to rely on government.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Briley Pollard" <brileyp at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 6:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag
>
>
>> It is a difficult question. While I agree that paying so much simply 
>> because I happen to be blind is ridiculous, isn't it opening a dangerous 
>> door to expect the government to limit how much things can cost? At the 
>> end of the day, assistive technology companies don't exist as charities, 
>> they are businesses just like any other, except for the fact that they 
>> are selling to a small niche market. Do I think it is horrible that they 
>> exploit our need for these products to make a buck? Of course. Isn't that 
>> capitalism though? I'm no conservative by any stretch of the imagination, 
>> and I honestly don't have a firm opinion on this subject. But I thought 
>> I'd raise this aspect of the argument.
>>
>> Briley
>> On Feb 3, 2010, at 10:45 AM, Hope Paulos wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Joe. I agree with you. There have been countless times that I've 
>>> needed adaptive technology and haven't been able to purchase it without 
>>> assistance from my vocational rehabilitation agency. (I was in high 
>>> school or college at the time). It's horrible to think that companies 
>>> can charge $150 or more for even  software updates.  Paying $6,200 or 
>>> thereabouts for a device made especially for the blind is ludicrous. 
>>> Especially when this device may not be compatible with mainstream 
>>> software. If you need help with this campaign, I'd be more than willing 
>>> to assist you in any way possible.
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Hope Paulos
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: "'Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.'" 
>>> <nabs at acb.org>; <tabs_students at googlegroups.com>; "'NFBnet NFBCS Mailing 
>>> List'" <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11:45 PM
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag
>>>
>>>
>>>> Dear list,
>>>>
>>>> I'm continuously appalled at the price tags associated with adaptive
>>>> technology.  While you're in college you might receive assistance from 
>>>> your
>>>> rehab agency to purchase equipment.  You may get some assistance after 
>>>> you
>>>> find a job, but inevitably there comes a point when the expense comes
>>>> directly from your own pocket.  I wonder how many people have had to 
>>>> settle
>>>> for outdated technology because they simply cannot afford it.  But, 
>>>> that's
>>>> the thing.  I'm only assuming there are tons of people who cannot 
>>>> afford
>>>> this technology.  I'd like to lead a campaign to call public attention 
>>>> to
>>>> this monopoly, and, I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether or not 
>>>> you
>>>> think me crazy.  If my assumption is wrong, I'll keep my views to 
>>>> myself.
>>>> If there is a high number of people unable to tap into emerging 
>>>> software
>>>> simply because they cannot pay for it, I'd like to hear from you.  I
>>>> understand the technology itself costs a lot of money to develop.  Yet, 
>>>> it
>>>> seems more of the price boost is owed to extravagant government 
>>>> contracts
>>>> that allow the few players to charge something like $6,200 for a device
>>>> that, despite its best advertisements, does not perform completely on 
>>>> par
>>>> with its mainstream counterparts.
>>>>
>>>> At this time I have only a vague idea for a strategy.  Yet it's 
>>>> something
>>>> I'm willing to build up if the need can be clearly identified.
>>>>
>>>> Looking forward to your input,
>>>>
>>>> Joe Orozco
>>>>
>>>> "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the
>>>> crowd."--Max Lucado
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus 
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>>>>
>>>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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