[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

[Nightingale, Noel]

Omar,

You could draft a resolution with your idea for consideration by the National Federation of the Blind Resolutions Committee and submit it before the deadline, which will probably be in early June, to the NFB resolutions chair.  You or another sponsor will need to advocate for the resolution before the resolutions committee at the national convention.  There will be an announcement in the presidential release about the process.

Noel


-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of omar duncan via BlindLaw
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2025 10:01 AM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: omar duncan <oduncan821 at gmail.com>
Subject: [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


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
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