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Re: Pricing of Screen Readers

for

From: Sachin Dev Pavithran
Date: Oct 21, 2004 10:32AM

"I wanted to lease with our Testing department and buy some screen readers
and got a mild shock
looking at the prices of Jaws. Is it just me or is that making money by
having a clientele that has no choice?"

Chris:

Welcome to the world of assistive technology users. It is amazing how much
A.T. users spend in getting technologies just to function in a work or
school environment. As we all no almost all software have educational
discount, but when it comes to A.T. software that is not even an option. I
am sure their reason is that there is not enough users out there to use
their products. But with prices like this no average person can afford
assistive technology with out getting a grant or some sort of funding. If
you ask me it is just high way robbery. Like you said " it is making money
by having a clientele that has no choice"

For example : I bought a Braille note about 2 years ago, which cost $ 5300.
I have been having problems with it for a long time. Now they say it is the
chip set and they have introduced a new chip set and it will cost me $ 1200
to change my existing chip set. That is $ 6500 for a device which does not
have even quarter the power in functionality of a laptop.

It is definitely frustrating and we, A.T. users just don't have a choice but
spend the money in order to be able to compete with our peers.

Regards.
Sachin


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"You must become the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Sachin Dev Pavithran
Training and Development Specialist
Center for Persons with Disabilities
Utah State University
6800 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut - 84322, U.S.A.

Work Phone : 1-(435)-797 0974
Email : <EMAIL REMOVED>
Visit Us at http://www.cpd.usu.edu

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