Karen, you make some good points and I think part of the problem is
Apple's and ours. I think it would be a very good idea if Apple heard
from us about how we're using our computers, how we made the switch
from windows if applicable and why, and so forth. I think this would
help and perhaps they are getting this, I don't know. I'd also say on
Apple's part, their tech support people aren't well trained if at all
on VO and Apple doesn't seem to have any commercials talking about
the new OSX and their accessibility features. I may be wrong on their
advertising eforts, but I haven't heard any on tv, radio, etc.
Scott
On Apr 2, 2006, at 3:18 PM, Karen Lewellen wrote:
This is a critically important point.
Apple has no way of measuring the success here, and the amount of
complaints is certainly no way to this, even less would be the
numbers of people who stop by a booth at a conference.
There are thousands, perhaps even millions of vision challenged
people out here who do not even know the technology is out there,
Could not even conceive affording the windows options, and contrary
to travis's idea have no interest in, nor should they, in becoming
a computer expert to achieve results. Show apple that there is a
real market, and perhaps they will not need to do this.
Marketing is everything, and like it or not there are still many
misconceptions, and to be honest a lot of them are perpetuated by
so called blind community organizations about the audience for this
product.
If apple does not hear from those in the real mainstream, not those
who are able to reprogram their computers, but the average consumer
who looks a lot like the regular apple customer save that their
vision works differently, they will have no motivation for
continuing effort here.
The feel good notion is no way to run a business, profit, market
share, ETC. can be.
We have a job crisis in this country and there are millions of
people who can fill this need if the technology is there and
affordable, without the continuous need to be upgraded tweaked,
and pampered into working....like with windows.
Can you imagine how beneficial it would be for apple's profits to
be able to outfit who is or was the largest employer of the
disabled, the federal government, with voice over? That translates
into real numbers, and if informed that the market things it
possible, perhaps with some real numbers to show apple that there
is a market here they may continue to take vo seriously.
Given the outrageous prices for adaptive technology in general,
someone must have marketing information to support such rates. Why
not give apple the proof that they can make money on vo if they
just put in the effort. better still why not help them with that
effort sharing some of the wisdom many here have demonstrated based
on their own work with the product?
There is a wide ocean between apple and their real market for vo.
It is up to those here who have a vested interest in its continuing
to help bridge that ocean.
Karen
