[NJTechDiv] BlindShell Classic 2

Thu Jun 2 20:33:10 UTC 2022

that should have read the independence market of NFB
Dial 1 410 659 9314
follow the prompts

From: jane degenshein via NJTechDiv
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2022 4:30 PM
To: New Jersey Technology Division List
Cc: jane degenshein
Subject: Re: [NJTechDiv] BlindShell Classic 2

Maybe, reach out to Sherlock Washington who owns
S W unlimited
He is a member of NFBNJ and usually is a vendor at all of our conventions
Maybe, he can assist you?
Have you tried the independence for their thoughts as well

From: missruthnfb via NJTechDiv
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2022 3:51 PM
To: New Jersey Technology Division List
Cc: missruthnfb
Subject: Re: [NJTechDiv] BlindShell Classic 2

Hi, Ilire,

Miss Ruth here. You've done an excellent job of advocating for the 
community, and those are the entities I would've suggested as well. I'm 
surprised Blindshell doesn't realize that offering a trial period is a great 
marketing tool.

How about Hadley? Or perhaps HIP or VLANJ can help. Another thought is the 
Office on Aging and Disability Services. I don't know if they can help 
directly, but may know where to guide you.

Good luck!

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Ilire Goca via NJTechDiv <njtechdiv at nfbnet.org>
Date: 6/2/22 3:16 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: njtechdiv at nfbnet.org
Cc: iliregoca at gmail.com
Subject: [NJTechDiv] BlindShell Classic 2

Hello,

I hope this e-mail finds everyone well. I am looking to trial the BlindShell 
Classic 2. This is an accessible cell phone that is designed for the blind 
and visually impaired with a tactile keypad and a variety of vision aids and 
other applications installed on it. Even though I use an iPhone and feel 
comfortable with it, there are older individuals and individuals with 
intellectual or physical disabilities who cannot use a touch screen. I am 
hoping to demo this phone not only because of my own curiosity, but because 
I have heard many good things about it and I want to be able to share it 
with my future students and clients as a TVI. I am not going to know if this 
phone would really be beneficial to people, unless I can try it out for 
myself. I reached out to the following organizations regarding this matter:

  1.. BlindShell USA: I reached out to the company who markets and 
distributes the phone and they do not offer a “try before you buy” program. 
All they offer is a 14-day return policy with a 20% restocking fee. I feel 
that fourteen days is not enough time to determine if a product is 
beneficial and $489 is quite expensive if you just plan on trying the 
product.
  2.. The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in New Jersey: I 
reached out to CBVI regarding this matter. They informed me that they do not 
loan assistive technology for testing or other purposes. They also informed 
me that they would pass along the information I provided to them on the 
BlindShell to their assistive technology department.
  3.. Technology Lending Center: I reached out to the lending library in New 
Jersey to see if they would have this type of phone available for loan. They 
informed me that they do not have a BlindShell in stock and they do not plan 
on stocking it because it is a cell phone and it is not unlocked to work 
with all carriers.
I am wondering if you know of other organizations in New Jersey or anywhere 
else who loan assistive technology. I just don’t know who else to reach out 
too. I am providing the link to BlindShell USA’s website if you would like 
to learn more about the phone.

https://blindshellusa.com/

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Ilire Goca

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