Just some observations…and a bit of a rant. One of the problems that face people who are Blind or partially sighted, is the high cost of assistive devices and technology. Let me explain; What are assistive devices for the Blind? They include necessary items for everyday life, such as:
- talking clocks and watches
- talking calculators
- magnifyers
- Braille paper
- tactile measuring cups
- audible water level indicators
- large print keyboard inlays
- talking thermometers
- low vision lamps
- talking glucometers
- recording devices
- large print calendars etc.
- Braille watches
- tactile games
- bump dots
- Braille rulers
- talking pedometers
- talking scales
- talking thermostats
- bold lined paper
- etc.
Some items are ‘gadgets’ and though I would not find them essential for my life, other people find them useful, and therefore, they should have them. Then we get to the big ticket items:
- computer screenreading software ($800.00-$1200.00)
- talking pedestrian GPS (Treker) ($1200.00+)
- CCTV (closed circuit TV magnifier) ($2000.00-4000.00)
- Perkins Braille Writer (&700-1100.00)
- ‘DAISY’ (book) player ($500.00)
- Braille computer keyboard ($1800.00+)
- ‘Scan and speech’ machines ($2500+)
- etc.
YES I KNOW that some of these prices seem odd. Some are Canadian, some are U.S. I ALSO KNOW that charitable organizations sometimes ‘loan’ equipment to clients at no cost. I also know that free software downloads are available (limited time trials). I also know that some (very few) provinces provide funding programs for assistive devices. Most people with disabilities, including people who are blind, live in poverty. That is the reality. There are some wonderful (but rare) opportunities for employment, but this is not the norm, at least not here in Nova Scotia. The percentage of people who are blind and employed, is very small. Here’s the thing. Not only is it out of reach for many blind people to afford these things, but they are also inaccessible. For a Haliganioan (Halifax resident) who can afford to buy any of these items, we must (with some exceptions) order over the telephone, or online through a catalogue service, halfway across the country or in the U.S.A. (see MaxiAids or CNIB catalogue links). While it might be acceptable to order a large print calandar ‘unseen’ , prepay the thing, and wait a while for it to arrive in your mailbox, it is difficult and frustrating to choose a talking or Braille watch, without ‘checking it out’. You might not want to wait a week or two for a Braille watch to arrive because everyone needs to know the time. Again, I know that there may be one or two talking watches available at a Radio Shack-type store, but there is no variety. Braille watches are not available locally. Many other items are also catalogue only. My friends (and anyone who will listen) always hear me going on about ‘Quality of Life’. QL has several aspects, including financial security, physical, mental and emotional health, social inclusion, opportunity and choice of employment, appropriate housing, community and cultural supports, and affordable education. There’s more, but you get the picture. If we are to have an inclusive society which embraces people with disabilities, (as some politicians and charitable service organizations claim they believe in and should advocate for), we then, must stop TALKING about: equity, inclusion, fairness, diversity, advocacy, accessibility, accountability (and every other en vogue buzz word we use), and start DOING SOMETHING about it. Comment?
