If you know someone there Lynn you could talk to about it, I'd really
appreciate it.
My thinking about FAAST was that they seemed to be state-wide on all their
concerns, and I didn't know if they'd have any interest in a local project
like this. still, if they would, it would be great, and go along with
their
mishun.
btw, if they express interest in local affairs, you might ask if someone
could join TABI, to become involved in our particular local affairs.
thanks much.
Chip
-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf
Of Lynn Evans
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:54 PM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse
Chip do you think the folks over at FAAST would what to kick around the
idea.
I was just talking with them at the senior center this past monday. They
had
a table at the technonogy fair.
----- Original Message -----
From: Chip Orange <mailto:Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:57 PM
Subject: [tabi] I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse
hi all,
I had an idea I hoped the leaders of our 3 big non-profits here in
town would take up; I think it's worth doing, and it would give us
something
else to focus on besides the bus system, which is more than a little
divisive.
What I've noticed is that when I'm speaking with many blind people,
and I mention a possible technical solution to a problem they're having,
their response is often something like "that would be great, but I can't
afford it."
understandable of course; we all know assistive technology is
expensive, and we need a lot of it.
so, what if for this area of Florida served by the Lighthouse, we
began a fund to which we all contributed, which was then used to provide
no
interest loans for the purchase of assistive technology?
I was hoping one group would take on the administration of the fund,
and all 3 groups would contribute to it, or fund raise for it, as a joint
project. I'll offer to start it off with $100 if someone will take it on.
I also hoped the fund could be run in such a way that a person's
need for the technology, or their ability to pay, would not be a factor in
receiving the loan. I'd like this to be as free from value judgments as
possible. Perhaps just as the person what payment schedule they thought
that they could afford.
a lot of microbanks in very poor areas of the world are quite
successful, with nearly 100% payback rates, when being run like this, by
simply requiring a family member or friend to cosign the loan application,
guaranteeing payback if the primary applicant fails to do so. this seems
to
serve as a screening tool (if you can't produce one person who will vouch
that you will pay back a loan, then it's likely that you won't), and also
as
a real incentive for the applicant to pay-back the loan (not wanting their
friend or family to have to do so).
I'd also suggest, to help those taking on the administration of the
fund, that they do nothing if payments are missed. we'll make up losses
through fund raising. when you're freed of the effort of collections,
then
the administration should be a very minor task.
so, what do people think? will the leaders of these groups be
willing to discuss it amongst themselves?
Chip
------------------------------
Chip Orange
Database Administrator
Florida Public Service Commission
Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(850) 413-6314
(Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.)
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