[nfbcs] Independence with a Price Tag

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Hi Joe!!

I've paid off numerous bank loans to buy adaptive equipment, so i well 
understand the steep price tag.  Fortunately, the newspaper I work for 
purchased a Braille display and JAWS with both having hefty price tags.

This is  why i was so intrigued with Apple including accessibility out of 
the box on its products like the IPhone 3GS and the Mac computers.

Also, some developers have produced free or low-cost screen readers.

Thanks for the thoughts on this issue.

Liz
----- 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 10:45 PM
Subject: [nfbcs] 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 for outdated technology because they simply cannot afford it.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
>
>
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