[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

Tue Dec 30 17:42:12 UTC 2025

Got it. Sounds good. Thank you for informing me about this.

Can one go about this through zoom without attending the conference in
person because  I anticipate I will be in school around that time?

Thanks

On Mon, Dec 29, 2025 at 2:16 PM Nightingale, Noel via BlindLaw <
blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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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