[blindLaw] Policy proposal—-federal and or state government giving grants or easy financing options for research and development of software and hardware for low vision and visually impaired

[omar duncan]

Hello, all. I am emailing regarding an idea we can bring to the attention
of the lobbying people and legislative representatives at the NFB.

This idea centers on federal government or state government allocating
small portions od their budgets  like several hundred thousand Or a few
million , which are very nominal amounts, that are to be given to assistive
tech companies for the blind and visually impaired like freedom scientific
and Kurzweil to fund their research and development to enhance the quality
and features of their products, as well as address any bugs.

Reason: these assistive technologies are used by many of us at school (k-12
through grad school) and work. The advancements in these software and
hardware of these companies from  these   Firms will allow us to perform
better in these endeavors, which will put less strain on various
organizations like schools, employers, and rehab organizations, allowing us
to operate more independently

#2 the economy and the government and society indirectly, if not directly,
benefit because the advancements in the software and hardware of these
companies from  the grant companies  will lead to advancements that can
allow us to perform better, which will
Help with employment and success in school, which puts less strain on the
federal government and the states and their resources.


As far as funding, it is not too much h to ask for. DOGE findings from the
past year from Elon Musk and findings and published reports from usually
libertarian  organizations detailing extensively specific instances  of
 government waste and inefficiency  with money included situations where
government  allocates large outrageous amount of money at the most
ridiculous things—like research on how a certain animal reacts to cocaine
or how an animal primates sexuality is influenced by x y or Z and countless
ridiculous expenditures.


Let me give you an example of why this is necessary. Take Freedom
scientifics open book 9.0 for example. The current version was released in
like 2012 More than a decade ago. In between that decade, there’s been no
remarkable or noticeable advancement from the time it was released. Has the
most basic features. A Research and development (R&D) grant from the
federal government Can help modernize these tools by allowing them to, for
example, incorporate advanced study tools that are present in KURZWEIL
1000. It can help them find ways to incorporate AI, artificial intelligence
into their products. Since Freedom scientifics team is allocating all of
their software developments, fire power, and manpower to working on Jaws –
– the bread-and-butter product of freedom scientific – – given limited
sources of funding and  a small customer base – – These funds from the
federal government will help overcome that deficit and will allow them to
acquire more manpower and resources to be able to research and funding
areas that are so under developed and deficient.  They can help modernize
these tools and make them more specific in tailored to the needs of today
into the growing demands and not just do the bare minimum


I do not want to come across as entitled but given what is at stake here
—access, independence and employment for visually impaired people — and how
much money the government wastes outright on the most stupid stuff, they
ought to have no excuse on why they can’t earmark or designate funds to
fund research and development for these assigned technology firms on the
front lines. It directly benefits our lives and indirectly benefits the
U.S. economy
Through these advancement and for accessibility throughout the world and
helps us be more efficient.

On a side note, these assistive technology companies like Freedom
scientific in KURZWEIL need to be more aggressive and incorporating and
integrating, AI artificial intelligence into their products.

In addition to the federal government and state government budgets, you can
even go out and request funds for research and development from mega
billion dollar corporations and entities like Elon Musk, Facebook,
Microsoft, Apple, – – all of these mega entities stacked with cash were
giving away a few hundred thousand dollars or even $1 million won’t really
put a dent under their balance sheet. Besides, these firms and entities are
all known for giving away grants and scholarships and money away for
specific causes so adding our cause to one of the many causes won’t put a
dent under their balance sheet either.

In a world with so much frivolous spending on stupid stuff,, adding us to
the list is the very least that should be considered


Would you guys say as far as elevating this consideration to the
legislative team at NFB national Federation at the blind to consider with
regard to asking legislators and people in various spaces to earmark and
allocate funds for research and development for advancements and software
and hardware for the visually impaired and the companies that develop
these devices.

They would truly help a lot