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

[Kirt Manwaring]

Jorge,
  I won't resort to naming names.  But I know plenty of the kind of
people you're describing in the NFB.  I wish the national organization
would at least address the issue although, in fairness to them,
there's not much they can do about it.
  Best,
Kirt

On 4/10/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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