[nabs-l] Interesting discussion: Is Technology Turning into Our Enemy?

[Jorge Paez]

Bridgit:

You are right on most points.
One thing we have to keep in mind, and I think this has been said in several National  speeches,
is that 
we are not second class citizens,
but neither are we above the sighted.
I think the biggest complaint many people have is that on the one hand we have some lazy folks who think "I'm blind I can't do anything" (yes, I've seen that mentality before) and on the other hand we have the "I'm blind, so I deserve it" attitude.
Neither of these are good,
because on the one hand,
one denigrates you,
the other creates an image of elitism.
And I think both ends have given the blind community a bad reputation in many people's minds.

Let us just keep in mind that while yes, the legal system is there, it is not a support for our inability at certain times, to do reasonable things--such as be responsible for part of our technological costs.
Sure I know its expensive,
but like Bridget said, its hard work and determination that gets us places.

Use the legal/funding resources you have,
but don't get too used to it,
because those who use up the system and never have enough character to get anywhere are exactly the people we, (I mean the NFB) does NOT support.

Jorge



On Apr 10, 2011, at 2:44 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:

> Social security was established to help different populations.  Welfare
> and social security is a complex and intricate system that has become
> more and more complex over the years.
> 
> Initially it was believed blind people could not support themselves so
> the government felt magnanimous and set stipulations specific to blind
> people.  We can stay on disability for life; we can work and make more
> income each month than others receiving disability-- we can earn up to,
> I believe, $1640 per month before taxes and still receive disability
> whereas others can only earn $990 per month.  My numbers may not be
> exact, but they are in the ball park.
> 
> Now, at least for the blind, we view social security as a supplement
> especially since adaptive technology is expensive, and most of us can
> not work without some form of adaptive technology.
> 
> Many, unfortunately, still would rather collect government assistance
> than seek employment though.  I did not say everyone, but enough of us
> still have this mindset.
> 
> Now, state agencies for the blind are suppose to assist with any
> training and technology you require to an extent.  Each state differs on
> what, when and how they will spend money on clients.
> 
> No state agency is legally obligated to purchase every piece of
> technology you ask for.  Most of this depends on budget and what they
> deem appropriate.
> 
> I knew an agency, now defunct, that would spend upwards to $3000 on
> CCTV's for clients, but it was difficult for clients to have their
> request for JAWS or Windoeyes approved.  Because the attitude was that
> those with some vision were better off, this agency felt it was better
> to spend money on partials rather than on technology for totals who were
> not as capable.  This is true, and it is not just an observation.  When
> visiting the facility, I was told this to my face.
> 
> Anyway, state agencies are not required to purchase everything we ask
> for even if they would serve a purpose for us.  There are a lot of
> factors that play into this.
> 
> This includes paying for college.  Most agencies will cover state
> tuition, but if you choose to attend a private school, or an
> out-of-state school, they will either only pay up to what their state
> tuition is, or they will not pay for it at all.
> 
> Now I pose a question.  Some of you, and I add myself in this equation
> too, address the expense of adaptive technology, which it is expensive,
> and this is a reason why we should collect social security.  However,
> how many of us have I-phones, I-Pads, Droids, and other portable
> devices?  I doubt many of us had our state agency pay for these.  We do
> need to prioritize at times.  Obviously some of us have the means and
> desire to purchase cool items like I-phones, but we better not complain
> how our state agency won't buy some device.
> 
> This is the sense of entitlement many of us blind people feel.  We have
> come to a point where we expect certain things and certain advantages.
> It is great to have things set in place that can assist us, but we also
> have to realize that old fashioned work will get us what we want too.
> 
> Before anyone bights my head off, I am not suggesting this is how we all
> are, and believe me, I know how expensive some technology is.  I'm still
> running on Windows XP and MS Office 2003 because it is so damn expensive
> to buy this stuff.  But consider how important some of our toys are, and
> think about if we can save to purchase our own stuff.
> 
> Once we enter the "real world," we will have to fend for ourselves.  We
> will be responsible for maintaining, upgrading and buying our own
> technology.
> 
> So, I'm not really sure where I meant to go with.  *smile*  Just put it
> down as a crazy lady's rant.  LOL
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> 
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