[NFB-DB] some thoughts of mine regarding the tech crunch article that was posted to the list.

[maurice mines]

Good afternoon everyone, while the article from TechCrunch discusses 
what the company things are benefits of using 3D printing to display 
fingerspelling. I respectfully object. The company should spend more of 
their time, money and effort etc. and to advocacy working on getting 
deaf blind people jobs, and acceptance. In other words this device is 
something that the concept appears to be apparently laudable. But the 
reality is it will set us back, not move us forward. Reason personally 
when I do need to read sign I’d rather read it from an actual person. 
Certainly not a 3D printer.

Not from a 3D printer. If I’m going to read any sign, I prefer it being 
done by a real person. I certainly don’t think that a 3D printer is 
going to make that process go better. In fact I think it would create 
another barrier to inclusion not only in the workplace, but in society 
in general.

This article reminds me of a device that I once tested a number of years 
ago. The vibrating cane. Granted this was at a convention of the 
national Federation of the blind. For to the blind. Unfortunately the 
chain didn’t work out I ran into a wall. Of course it started vibrating 
after I ran into the wall. Not before. What is the moral of this story, 
it simply this if the company really wants to help think about the way 
we do things now do not invent a new way of communication hoping to sell 
your device. Which is the only reason why they’re doing this. It’s all 
about the sales, not about helping us.

Of course what I’m discussing above is certainly my opinion. But I hope 
that everyone on the list would at least think about what I’m saying. 
And think about the reasons why I am saying it. New technology must be 
not only good but functional, and socially acceptable. Of course it 
might help if the company consults with us instead of inventing 
something for us without consulting us.

please note, that this was all dictated originally into a Microsoft Word 
document and copied into this email. If there are errors in the above 
text and you can't understand what I've written above, please reach out 
to me and asked me what did I really mean? Thank you very much for 
reading this.



Respectfully Maurice Mines.

Board member National Federation of the Blind deaf blind division.

First VP National Federation of the Blind of California deaf blind division.

Text number 661-868-9647.
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