We think little of negotiating a cheaper mobile or utilities contract these days, playing one company off another to get a better deal, so why not with access technology? I'll tell you why. Try saying you want a cheaper price for Jaws with S&S and they'll tell you that the price is fixed by Henter Joyce - Their hands are tied. Tell them you'll go over to Window Eyes and you'll get no argument. That probably works for most, if not all access equipment. However, if enough of us do this, they'll have to listen eventually. Cheers Barry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Colin Fowler" <col.fowler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:44 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Affordable Accessibility, was Re: Fw: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired Exactly! and I know that this is happening throughout the industry. Inflated pricing. Purposely fixed high because of or at least the thinking behind the marketing is that ATW and DSA are prepared to support the funding. I do think however, that as end users and tax payers we should be demanding cost effectiveness from the products we have to purchase. OK so there are other products that are available, and it is our choice as to whether that product does what we want, but that still is no reason for all products not to be as competitive as possible. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Moore" <mikeis@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:29 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Affordable Accessibility, was Re: Fw: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired > Hi Colin, > > No, Freedom Scientific are not the only people, this is indeed across the > board. > > Take the price of a new Perkin's Brailler.... is this really justifiable? > I don't care what anyone says, it is a very basic typewriter on steroids! > > Mike > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Colin Fowler" <col.fowler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:23 AM > Subject: [access-uk] Re: Affordable Accessibility, was Re: Fw: > [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For > Visually Impaired > > >>I don't think that the manufacturers and suppliers of JAWS are the only >>people to blame here. I am sure that across our sector and definitely the >>disabled community at a whole, there is a tremendous profit being made by >>manufacturers and suppliers alike selling products that are priced >>artificially high. You could say that that is the key to marketing >>success, getting a higher price for a product because people will pay the >>higher price for it. But if in the UK alone ATW were'n't able to support >>the funding for equipment at it's current level of pricing and a more >>aggressive pricing structure was implementd, not only would you and I as >>tax payers see those 25% savings to government departments being achieved, >>but also the costs to people outside of the Access to Work funding would >>also have to fall. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Barry Hill" <bbinc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:14 AM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Affordable Accessibility, was Re: Fw: >> [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For >> Visually Impaired >> >> >>> Like supermarkets. Sell it at a small profit, but sell more than anyone >>> else. If Jaws are working on a ridiculous profit margin, they need to >>> drop >>> it down to 27%, making it more tempting and affordable for the average >>> Joe >>> to buy, and they'd sell more. >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Barry >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Mike Moore" <mikeis@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:48 AM >>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Affordable Accessibility, was Re: Fw: >>> [vicsireland] >>> Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually >>> Impaired >>> >>> >>> Hi, >>> >>> I think it is the offset of someone buying a netbook for >>> example to get started with computers, needing access to >>> software such as MS Office Word for college then not really >>> wanting to spend twice the price of the netbook on a screen >>> reading package. >>> >>> If price came down, surely the sales would increase? There >>> are supposed to be near 180, 00, 00 visually impaired >>> individuals worldwide. How many cannot afford the price of >>> access? >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> Mike >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Barry Hill" <bbinc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:40 AM >>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Fw: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio >>> Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired >>> >>> >>>> Hi all >>>> >>>> Although I like what Apple are doing regarding making >>>> access equipment at an >>>> affordable price, I fear that these Apple apps will have a >>>> detrimental >>>> effect on the selection of access equipment. >>>> >>>> Makers of this sort of equipment say that they have to >>>> charge such high >>>> prices because their products do not sell enough of each >>>> item to make a >>>> profit for research and developing the product, although I >>>> can't see this >>>> argument being true with Jaws. >>>> >>>> So, because Apple make the product cheap, if what the >>>> others say is true, >>>> everyone else could just stop R&D and/or stop making the >>>> product. >>>> >>>> I suppose they'll have to diversify or die. >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> >>>> Barry >>>> ----- >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> >>>> Barry >>>> >>>> Original Message ----- >>>> From: "Mike Moore" <mikeis@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:27 AM >>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Fw: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes >>>> Audio Labeling System >>>> Advances Independence For Visually Impaired >>>> >>>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> Thanks for this article; it seems that this is the way to >>>> go.... >>>> >>>> I know there is a large expense with the iPhone itself, >>>> but >>>> at least the apps are more "accessible" in respect to >>>> costing. >>>> >>>> Would it not make more sense if the price of software was >>>> lowered, increasing the sales on a global market and would >>>> also remove the piracy threats a lot of the manufacturer's >>>> fear? >>>> >>>> This option opens the way for us to purchase the equipment >>>> we want (not what we have to buy, as the budget cannot >>>> strech to it and the price of the accessibility software >>>> as >>>> well). >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> >>>> Mike >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:19 AM >>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Fw: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes >>>> Audio >>>> Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually >>>> Impaired >>>> >>>> >>>>> Hi Tony >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for forwarding this information to the list. >>>>> >>>>> If it does what the blurb suggests, and with the >>>>> increasing >>>>> popularity/demand for the Iphone, it looks as though we >>>>> can at last begin to >>>>> bypass some of the more expensive kit that only serves >>>>> one >>>>> or two purposes >>>>> in favour of having a lot of useful applications in the >>>>> one device. The >>>>> more I read and hear about the Iphone, the more I am >>>>> warming to having the >>>>> usefulness of all the applications over the complexities >>>>> of a touch screen >>>>> device. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Kind Regards, >>>>> >>>>> Jackie Cairns >>>>> J&M Work-Ability >>>>> >>>>> jandm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> www.work-ability.co.uk >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of >>>>> tony sweeney >>>>> Sent: 24 June 2010 00:46 >>>>> To: access-uk >>>>> Subject: [access-uk] Fw: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio >>>>> Labeling System >>>>> Advances Independence For Visually Impaired >>>>> >>>>> Hi Folk, >>>>> >>>>> Haven't got my head around this as yet as I haven't got >>>>> an >>>>> iPhone but it >>>>> sounds good indeed! >>>>> >>>>> Your thoughts. >>>>> >>>>> See below. >>>>> >>>>> Forwarded from the VicsIreland list. >>>>> >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>> From: Joan Ann Brosnan >>>>> To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:30 AM >>>>> Subject: [vicsireland] Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System >>>>> Advances >>>>> Independence For Visually Impaired >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> This looks like it could be an interesting application >>>>> for >>>>> IPhone users. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence >>>>> For >>>>> Visually Impaired >>>>> 23 June, 2010 @ 4:17 pm by Cara >>>>> >>>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE >>>>> >>>>> Contact person: Davey Hulse >>>>> Cell: 503-559-3787 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting >>>>> 503-559-3787 >>>>> >>>>> end_of_the_skype_highlighting >>>>> Email: PressRelations@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> >>>>> DIGIT-EYES AUDIO LABELING SYSTEM ADVANCES INDEPENDENCE >>>>> FOR >>>>> VISUALLY IMPAIRED >>>>> >>>>> Digital Miracles, LLC, is pleased to announce a major >>>>> advancement in >>>>> assistive technology for people who are blind and >>>>> visually >>>>> impaired. The >>>>> Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System has been approved for >>>>> sale on the Apple >>>>> Apps Store. As of June 23rd, the millions of people >>>>> worldwide with >>>>> substantial vision loss can begin downloading the iPhone >>>>> application to >>>>> recognize and label the important items in their lives. >>>>> >>>>> Reasonably priced at $29.99, the Digit-Eyes phone app is >>>>> a >>>>> powerful tool >>>>> that fits into any budget and life- style, turning >>>>> challenging tasks into >>>>> easy, safe activities. The Digit-Eyes system gives users >>>>> a >>>>> simple way to >>>>> make custom labels for everyday items and it identifies >>>>> packaged >>>>> goods-joining advanced software with the iPhone, the >>>>> Internet, home >>>>> computers, printers, and inexpensive off-the-shelf >>>>> labels. >>>>> People of almost >>>>> any visual ability can now put groceries away and grab >>>>> the >>>>> right >>>>> prescription bottle independently. >>>>> >>>>> "This is the most exciting product I've worked on," says >>>>> Nancy Miracle, >>>>> president of Digital Miracles and software engineer with >>>>> 40 years >>>>> experience. "The limited functions and high cost of >>>>> existing assistive >>>>> devices just seemed wrong, so our objective was to >>>>> develop >>>>> a product that >>>>> performed better than any comparable technology and offer >>>>> it at about 10% of >>>>> the price. Combining the need for identification with a >>>>> natural, powerful >>>>> and robust tool like the iPhone made the project >>>>> irresistible." >>>>> >>>>> With Digit-Eyes, users can print custom text labels or >>>>> record audio labels >>>>> that they make by scanning specially coded labels and >>>>> speaking into their >>>>> phones. They attach the labels to household items, and >>>>> the >>>>> messages are >>>>> played back whenever the codes are rescanned with their >>>>> iPhones. This >>>>> Digit-Eyes app can also scan manufacturer codes (UPC, >>>>> EAN, >>>>> ISBN) and say >>>>> what's inside the package after checking the vast >>>>> Digit-Eyes product >>>>> database. Each iPhone stores over five hundred hours of >>>>> information and can >>>>> be used just about anywhere. >>>>> >>>>> "This product is amazing! By labeling leftovers with >>>>> their >>>>> contents and date >>>>> refrigerated, I can determine if my dinner will be edible >>>>> or not. Next, I'll >>>>> be labeling my jungle of AC adapters so I'll never again >>>>> have to guess what >>>>> they all go to. The ease of use and flexibility of the >>>>> process make it an >>>>> invaluable tool!" >>>>> Randy Builder, Seattle, Washington. >>>>> >>>>> The first public display of Digit-Eyes is at the National >>>>> Federation of the >>>>> Blind convention in Dallas, Texas, July 4 - 7, booth >>>>> B113. >>>>> The exhibit then >>>>> moves to the American Council of the Blind convention >>>>> July >>>>> 10 - 15 in >>>>> Phoenix, Arizona, booth #41. Attendees can experience the >>>>> use and capability >>>>> of the system with hands-on demonstrations. Details, >>>>> explanations, and >>>>> examples will be available at both conventions, or >>>>> immediately on-line at >>>>> www.DIGIT-EYES.com. >>>>> >>>>> Digital Miracles, LLC, the parent company of Digit-Eyes, >>>>> is a Texas-based >>>>> corporation that develops customized software solutions. >>>>> The Digit-Eyes >>>>> Audio Labeling System was created by a team of engineers, >>>>> software designers >>>>> and members of the visually impaired community. >>>>> >>>>> Product Reviewers can get a review copy at: >>>>> reviewcopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> or by calling: (817) 571-3083 >>>>> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting >>>>> (817) 571-3083 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Joan Ann. >>>>> >>>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following >>>>> link:- >>>>> ** >>>>> [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>>> ** unsubscribe >>>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click >>>>> on >>>>> the >>>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>>> ** or send a message, to >>>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>>> >>>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>>>> Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2956 - Release >>>>> Date: 06/23/10 >>>>> 19:35:00 >>>>> >>>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following >>>>> link:- >>>>> ** >>>>> [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>>> ** unsubscribe >>>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click >>>>> on >>>>> the >>>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>>> ** or send a message, to >>>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>>> >>>> >>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following >>>> link:- >>>> ** >>>> [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>> ** unsubscribe >>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on >>>> the >>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>> ** or send a message, to >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>>> Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2959 - Release >>>> Date: 06/23/10 >>>> 19:35:00 >>>> >>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following >>>> link:- >>>> ** >>>> [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>> ** unsubscribe >>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on >>>> the >>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>> ** or send a message, to >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>> >>> >>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> ** and in the Subject line type >>> ** unsubscribe >>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>> ** immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>> ** or send a message, to >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>> >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >>> >>> >>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>> Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2959 - Release Date: 06/23/10 >>> 19:35:00 >>> >>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> ** and in the Subject line type >>> ** unsubscribe >>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>> ** immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>> ** or send a message, to >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>> >> >> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> ** and in the Subject line type >> ** unsubscribe >> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >> ** immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >> ** or send a message, to >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >> > > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] > ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > ** and in the Subject line type > ** unsubscribe > ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the > ** immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] > ** or send a message, to > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2959 - Release Date: 06/23/10 19:35:00 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq