Brad,
I think you're missing the point here. The point being is
that if we are going to live a more independent life such as the sighted do,
then it is going to cost more in order for us to do so.
Actually, we don't even need the three items you mentioned, a computer, an
OCR program and money identifier to live independently. I didn't have any
of those things 20 years ago and I still lived by myself, but was I
independent? No, I had to depend on someone sighted to perform various
tasks that I can now do myself.
Many of the things that have been listed are not luxuary items as you say
they are, but rather tools that allow a blind person to live a more
independent life. I agree that many of the items listed the sighted also
use but it does cost more for a blind person to purchase those items simply
because they need to be adapted for us to use.
The final list I have compiled only includes items that are specific to the
blind, such as a screen reader or magnification program, braille embossers,
color identifier and so forth. These are items that the sighted don't need
and are rather costly for a blind person to purchase. No, we don't have to
have all of those items, but in order to live more independently they are
essential. Otherwise someone sighted would need to assist us.
The electricity, clothing or furniture you mention don't even come into
consideration here.
___________________________________________________________________
Denny Huff
Gateway For the Blind LLC.
PO Box 515
St. Clair, MO 63077
Phone: (636) 262-1383
FAX: (314) 558-0298
WWW.GatewayForTheBlind.Com
The Gateway To Independence
Need help with that IDevice?
Go to: www.gatewayfortheblind.com/idevice for podcasts and other files to
assist you.
From: ATI [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brad Keller
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 4:48 AM
To: Adaptive technology information and support.
Subject: Re: [ATI] The cost of being blind.
IS the electricity on? Do we have something to eat? Do we have something to
cook our food in? In my opinion, and this is just my opinion, about the only
things that I have seen on this list that I think is really needed to be
independent is the computer with screen reader and OCR software... oh and
maybe the money identifier. I would think being independent, especially on
the realistic budget that many of us are on would place things such as food,
transportation, utilities, and shelter above anything else along with the
monthly costs of maintaining these things. Many of the things listed, at
least in my life, would be considered luxurys. Would I like to have many of
these things? You bet but I have managed to be as independent as possible
without the aid of most of these things. I have never had a new computer,
always used, and I can't remember the last time that I can't remember the
last time I was able to afford to go shopping for new clothes. My point here
is that if someone is just starting out on their own the list of what is
needed to be independent should start with the basics and then once the
independence has been established then extra things such as many of these
could be considered. Has anyone been furniture shopping yet or bought
cleaning supplies?
----- Original Message -----
From: Reginald George <mailto:[email protected]>
To: [email protected] ; Adaptive technology information and
support. <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 12:26 AM
Subject: Re: [ATI] The cost of being blind.
Talking scale $50. Quality talking blood pressure machine, $70. Accessible
fitness equipment, the sky is the limit. Money identifier $100. You can
save a lot on these costs with an iPhone by the way. Talking HD radio,
$100. CCTV $2,000. Hand-Held CCTV $600. I could go on and on,.
From: Denny Huff <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2014 1:08 PM
To: Missouri Chat <mailto:[email protected]>
Cc: Adaptive technology information and support. <mailto:[email protected]>
Subject: [ATI] The cost of being blind.
All,
I am compiling a list of hardware, software and other
devices that a blind person would need to live a more independant life. I
know that there are quite a few items that I am not thinking of, so if you
would please add any item you feel should be included in the list below.
This could include medical devices that a person would use on a daily or
weekly basis.Also, if you have a ballpark figure of what that device would
cost, please include that information.
Screen reader - $1,200.00
OCR program - $1,100.00
Pearl camera - $600.00
Braille display $2,000 - $5,000
Note taker $2,000 - $5,000
Dasey reader - $300.00
This is a very short list so anything you can add will be appreciated.
Thanks,
___________________________________________________________________
Denny Huff
Gateway For the Blind LLC.
PO Box 515
St. Clair, MO 63077
Phone: (636) 262-1383
FAX: (314) 558-0298
WWW.GatewayForTheBlind.Com
The Gateway To Independence
Need help with that IDevice?
Go to: www.gatewayfortheblind.com/idevice for podcasts and other files to
assist you.
_____
_______________________________________________
ATI (Adaptive Technology Inc.)
A special interest affiliate of the Missouri Council of the Blind
http://moblind.org/membership/affiliates/adaptive_technology
_____
_______________________________________________
ATI (Adaptive Technology Inc.)
A special interest affiliate of the Missouri Council of the Blind
http://moblind.org/membership/affiliates/adaptive_technology
_______________________________________________
ATI (Adaptive Technology Inc.)
A special interest affiliate of the Missouri Council of the Blind
http://moblind.org/membership/affiliates/adaptive_technology
