Dear Rstchard, Rhonda and list:
Richard, you took the words right out of my mouth, or, perhaps, brain. There's
no need to ad to what you've said, but there are a few points I'd lffmake.
First, because most of the technology for the blind is purchased by state or
federal agencies, the manufacturers have, or at least, see, no need to set up
any kind of a way for the average person to pay for the product, little by
little. Their rationale is, that they would then need to hire more
bookkeepers, and collection people. They say that this would significantly
raise the price. I do not think that the increase would be more than a few
percentage points. I believe the companies should have payment plans, to be
worked out over a 3 to 5-year period. This would cover the cost of the
equipment, and any maintenance agreement.
There's also something else. Most states, in this country, are not in great
financial shape, which means that the rehab agencies are under great budgetary
constraints. therefore, they have to set pretty rigid criteria for supplying
technology. What it usually boils down to, is that if you have a job, they'll
help; if not, they can't. Of course, this puts many blind folks in a catch-22
situation: to wit, you can't get the equipment without a job, but you can't get
a job, without the equipment! So, now what?
Well, at the risk of sounding like a crackpot, here's my proposal. It's
costly, but I think it would be beneficial in the long run. I believe that
there should be a national program, sponsored by the federal government, in
conjunction with the private sector, to furnish every visually impaired person
with a computer, complete with the latest jechnology, for $500. There is just
one condition: the blind person has to use this technology to either get
employment with someone, or start his/her own business, (no restrictions on
size or type of business) or to get more education. When the person has
achieved his/her goals, and is financially in reasonable shape, the person pays
the $500. Now I understand that this will create more bureaucracy, but it will
eventually get a lot of folks off the SSI roles. By the way, the technology
manufacturers would get wonderful tax breaks for keeping their prices
reasonable. They'd probably be guaranteed solvency.
As I said, maybe it's a crackpot theory, but, there 'tis. Hope everyone has a
great day. God bless. Bob and Maxy-wax
