[nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

[David Andrews]

Just because you say it costs to much, that doesn't reduce the costs 
of developing, marketing and supporting technology.  I understand the 
frustrati0on of every body here, but you folks are completely 
unrealistic as to what is going on.  Just saying something is to 
expensive doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

Dave

At 09:07 PM 2/3/2010, you wrote:
>I would have to agree with Aziza.  Assistive tech costs too much, and
>there needs to be something done about those who are sitting on their
>bums collecting government benefits.  We don't have the money nor a
>chance to be employable without assistive tech.  Worse, with the 70 to
>92.5% chance of us not having jobs, that assistive tech is vital for
>us.
>Beth
>
>On 2/3/10, Aziza <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I'm personally not in favor of making anyone the enemy in this issue,
> > however I do have a position.
> >
> > I believe assistive tech costs to much, and unnecessarily so. Few
> > individuals can afford them on their own, and organizations like DOR are
> > reluctant to pay for things for a reason, they are expensive. Its simple to
> > understand, we need more. We need screen readers, OCR software, text
> > translation software, embossers, scanners, printers, braille displays.
> > However, to make an office setting work perfectly for a blind person would
> > cost much more than setting an office up for a sighted person. Its fact.
> > That isn't really my main concern. My main concern is districts. 
> High school
> > and younger. They refuse to purchase technology because they don't have the
> > funds, or they don't get their students the training because they lack the
> > funds. If training and our tech costed less perhaps our blind youth would
> > receive a better blindness skills education in main stream situations, at
> > least on one level.
> >
> > Aziza
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "V Nork" <ginisd at sbcglobal.net>
> > To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> > <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 12:03 PM
> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag
> >
> >
> >> This is such a complex issue, but so critical to the lives of  the members
> >>
> >> of our community.  It should be pointed out, I think, that just being able
> >>
> >> to afford the equipment is sometimes just the beginning of sticker shock.
> >> It can be extremely expensive to find instruction for your complicated new
> >>
> >> devices, if you can  even find it.  This is true also for repair, since
> >> this equipment is so specialized and esoteric at this time, not everyone
> >> who works on computers will be able to do repairs if needed Best, Ginnie.
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Hope Paulos" <hope.paulos at maine.edu>
> >> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> >> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 8:45 AM
> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag
> >>
> >>
> >>> Dear Joe. I agree with you. There have been countless times that I've
> >>> needed adaptive technology and haven't been able to purchase it without
> >>> assistance from my vocational rehabilitation agency. (I was in high
> >>> school or college at the time). It's horrible to think that companies can
> >>>
> >>> charge $150 or more for even  software updates.  Paying $6,200 or
> >>> thereabouts for a device made especially for the blind is ludicrous.
> >>> Especially when this device may not be compatible with mainstream
> >>> software. If you need help with this campaign, I'd be more than willing
> >>> to assist you in any way possible.
> >>> Sincerely,
> >>> Hope Paulos
> >>> ----- 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 11:45 PM
> >>> Subject: [nabs-l] 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