Hi Robert, Don't promise what you can't deliver. Many agencies have contracts with specific vendors, and they can only buy from that vendor. This is why you will ask for a screen reader and get JAWS, or ask for a note taker and get a Packmate. The VA, for example, has a national protocol, and you get a package if you are totally blind, a package if you have low vision, etc. If you want a CCTV, you get a certain brand. If you want a screen reader, you get JAWS. If you want screen magnification, you get Magic. In fact, they don't even buy OpenBook or K1000 any more, you get Omnipage Pro. I do not agree with this practice at all, but I guess that in the final analysis, it comes down to dollars and cents, and the notion that because the client isn't paying for it, he or she should be glad for whatever he or she gets.
Here's an example. Last year, I requested a Braille display from the VA. They asked me what I wanted. I gave them a list, with the Brailliant on top, and the Focus from FS at the bottom. Guess which one I got, and I'll make it easy by telling you it wasn't the Brailliant. Andy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jolena Foster Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:04 AM To: Braillenote List Subject: Re: [Braillenote] Interested in purchasing a Braillenote m power. Hello: I agree with Robert. There are ways that you can get Rehab to pay for it. After all, (if they want you to work they will help you with getting the tools you need). You can also write me privately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I will help you come up with something if I can. Have a good day. ----- Original Message ----- From: "robert stigile" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Braillenote List" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 11:09 AM Subject: Re: [Braillenote] Interested in purchasing a Braillenote m power. > Hello, > Don't let your counselor talk you into something that you don't want. > If you want the Braillenote, and would need training, usually rehab has > contracted people who can train the braillenote or other computer > products. > There are many different reasons why one is better then the other, and if > you present your case properly, you can get rehab to purchase it. > If you need some pointers, e-mail me privately and we can work on it. > Regards, > Robert > >> ----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Jessica" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>To: "Braillenote List" <[email protected] >>Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 07:59:10 -0700 >>Subject: Re: [Braillenote] Interested in purchasing a Braillenote > m power. > >>Well, the thing is, my councilor can't ever seem to keep in touch > with me >>half the time, so I finally contacted DBS's supervisor, explained > my >>situation, and of course he had about a million excuses why he > didn't want >>to purchase me one and why I should keep the pacmate. Then he > told me he >>didn't want to just purchase me a whole different piece of > equipment without >>me knowing anything about it, but when I asked if I could get any > training >>with the m power, he just said he would look into it and I > haven't heard >>from him since then. >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Malaina VanderWal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>To: "Braillenote List" <[email protected] >>Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 6:04 PM >>Subject: re: [Braillenote] Interested in purchasing a Braillenote > m power. > > >>> The problem with the Commission for the blind is in many cases >>> they will only purchase an 18 cell display unit. If you want a >>> 32 like I did I had to come up with another way to pay for it. > I >>> don't know if they are the same when it comes to education and >>> work purposes though. I think a lot of it depends on the >>> counselor and where or not they bought anything else for you > such >>> as a laptop. >>> Malaina > >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>From: JD Townsend <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>To: Braillenote List <[email protected] >>>>Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:27:06 -0400 >>>>Subject: re: [Braillenote] Interested in purchasing a Braillenote >>> m power. > >>>>Hi: > >>>>There are several options in the USA, so I'll give you a few >>>>possibilities for this country. If you have citizenship >>>>elsewhere, please excuse. > >>>>1 The state department or commission of the blind will indeed >>>>purchase a BN product for you if you can prove that it will >>>>be used for employment or pre-vocational (educational) >>>>purposes. Your job is to detail for them exactly how a >>>>mPower will help you with job or school. Be very specific. >>>>If your local case manager or rehabilitation specialist says >>>>"No" simply appeal to a higher power, their supervisor or >>>>the client advocate on the state level. Eventually you will >>>>present your argument to an ear that will appreciate that, >>>>for example, the planner, address book and calculator are >>>>specific vocational needs for a person in your job. I >>>>recently counseled a woman who worked in laundry services >>>>that for taking telephone orders, figuring out costs and >>>>planning deliveries a BrailleNote product was essential and >>>>a supervisor of her blindness case manager agreed. She got >>>>it. > >>>>2 If you are not employed or in a school situation the >>>>difficulty is increased. The NFB nationally has a very low >>>>interest loan program, you need pay it back, but the >>>>payments are manageable. A local chapter of the ACB has a >>>>similar loan program. Some states also have loan/grant >>>>programs for equipment purchase. > >>>>3 Several web sites offer second hand BrailleNotes from time >>>>to time. You might check out the Ebay blindness site or >>>>Blind Attic. I have recently seen BN products on these >>>>sites for a bit over $2000 with the latest software and >>>>shipping included. > >>>>4 And, if worse comes to worse, use the great American way of >>>>purchasing things we want and cannot afford: the credit >>>>card. > > >>>>Best of luck, > >>>>JD Townsend, LCSW >>>>Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, Earth > >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>From: "Jessica" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>To: <[email protected] >>>>>Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:43:19 -0700 >>>>>Subject: [Braillenote] Interested in purchasing a Braillenote m >>>>power. > >>>>>I talked to Humanware about a week ago, and they've already sold >>>>me on practicly everything concerning the Braillenote m power, >>>>there's just one problem; I don't have the funds to cover the >>>>costs for one. I've contacted The devision of Blind Services >>>>here in my area as well as one of the Lions Clubs, only to >>>>basicly found out they couldn't help me with that, so at the >>>>moment I'm out of ideas. >>>>> Does anyone else know if there's any type of funding out there >>>>that could help me in purchasing the braillenote? >>>>>___ >>>>>To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >>>>>[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >>>>>http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > >>>>___ >>>>To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >>>>[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >>>>http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > >>> ___ >>> To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >>> http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > > >>> -- >>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >>> Version: 7.0.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/419 - Release Date: > 8/15/2006 > > > > >>___ >>To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >>[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >>http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > > ___ > To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit > http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
