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Re: Pricing of Screen Readers

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From: Jim Thatcher
Date: Oct 22, 2004 8:50AM

Chris Heilmann:
> IMHO it is not a bad idea, after all that would negate the need for a
> bespoke and expensive screen reader.

It is a terrible idea. No major IT company is going to have the resources or
put in the effort that is required for a high quality screen reader. The
extremely limited market and the immense technical effort required of screen
reader development justify the prices y'all so vociferously complain about
on this list.

It is great that Apple is producing a screen reader - but there's a reason -
there is no (current) screen reader for the Mac and that limits their sales
to US federal agencies. Why no screen reader? Because it is not economically
feasible. Can you imagine how much Apple would have to charge for a screen
reader if it were priced as they would normally price products. That would
really give one something to complain about.

Three cheers for the screen reader developers. They are a tough crew
confronting an incredibly difficult job.

Jim

Accessibility Consulting: http://jimthatcher.com/
512-306-0931