I agree that this is probably a market reflection of the labour involved
but that is the whole problem with our sector.
The number of braille users are very small. I do not use braille as I
personally have never conquered the skill sufficiently although I have
no sight now. Despite the fact I do not personally use Braille I think
it is extremely unfair that this small number of Braille users are so
very vulnerable to market pressures. It is a classic case of a
discriminated minority.
Unless you get funding from Employment or studying support you will not
get assistance. We know from many studies, including those studies
commissioned by the RNIB, themselves that only a fraction of visually
impaired people end up in work and/or higher education.
I do not have the space here to talk about why PIP/DLA cannot meet this
need but will point to references to other extra costs of disabled
living if people want me to.
This means the majority of Braille users will get no state assistance in
relation to their means of communication, or that if they did this will
cease once they leave work/education.
Yet charities like the RNIB are precisely supposed to exist to protect
their beneficiaries from the disadvantage of extreme market costs like
this. This is true of any charity. Instead Braille users appear to be
very low on the list of priorities despite their vulnerability to these
and other costs.
I am baffled by the RNIB's mission drift in this respect. They appear to
be instead trying to support a lumbering inefficient and costly
commercial business relying largely on a captive audience. This market
has to be expanded to include as many people as possible in the visual
impairment spectrum. Braille Users may well be a small section of that,
the income they generate for the RNIB will therefore be small, but a
Charity should not be driven by market concerns. .
In his book the Politics of Blindness several years ago Graeme McCreath
made the criticism that the RNIB had abandoned the subsidy of
specialised technological products or servicing. Instead they
focussed on a quasi corporational approach to become a business
relying on selling a wide range of goods to a specialised captive
market. He pointed to the then hundreds of staff employed at
Peterborough. He certainly did not argue for redundancies but felt that
the RNIB was more concerned with being a commercial Corporation than a
charity serving its beneficiaries.
I personally feel that this critique is still very valid, especially in
relation to the unfair costs of using Braille which would effectively
excludes this technology from those who would otherwise use or at least
try it.
David Griffith
On 07/07/2016 10:47, Jackie Brown wrote:
Hi Jim
Yes there is a lot of skill involved which means labour. It is still a lot
of dosh on top of what it cost to purchase.
I hope you get it sorted either way.
Kind Regards,
Jackie Brown
Emails: thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx
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-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jim McAuslan
Sent: 07 July 2016 10:35
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Device servicing
Hi Jackie,
I now understand that each tiny pin is removed and placed inside a special
cleaning device. So that is where the cost ramps up. Of course all these
multiple pins have to be replaced.
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jackie Brown
Sent: 07 July 2016 10:15
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Device servicing
Well good luck whatever way you go. I have nothing against companies
running their business, but it sure is a heck of a lot of money for a
service in anyone's language! (smile.) I guess car owners run up against
the same problems when they need to take their vehicle for an MOT, it must
be heartbreaking.
Kind Regards,
Jackie Brown
Emails: thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx
jackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Check out my website: www.thebrownsplace.info Read my EyeWrite blog:
www.thebrownsplace.info/?page_id=136
Follow me on Twitter: @thebrownsplace
Skype: thejackmate
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jim McAuslan
Sent: 07 July 2016 09:55
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Device servicing
Hello Jackie,
I suspect the guys that do the servicing are using isopropyl alcohol, a very
soft brush and a wee bit of compressed air, I've got a tame techie just over
the back garden wall, hm hm!.
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jackie Brown
Sent: 07 July 2016 09:42
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Device servicing
Hi Jim
It's still an awful lot of dosh no matter how intricate the procedure. I
wouldn't pay it anyway, I think I would want all its cells replaced for
that! (smile.)
I was only saying to my husband this week how much I use my Braille display
at the PC, perhaps without realising it. I have been loaned an Alva BC680
while mine has been away, and I am so grateful for that because it is an
invaluable tool to me.
My advice to any would-be Braille display user is to ask at the outset what
service and support is offered once the warranty expires. This, in my mind,
is crucial. I have to speak as I find, and say that Optelec have really
looked after me as a customer, and that is what you want when you buy one of
these things.
Kind Regards,
Jackie Brown
Emails: thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx
jackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Check out my website: www.thebrownsplace.info Read my EyeWrite blog:
www.thebrownsplace.info/?page_id=136
Follow me on Twitter: @thebrownsplace
Skype: thejackmate
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jim McAuslan
Sent: 07 July 2016 09:30
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Device servicing
Hi Jackie,
I was informed that the time consuming part was the cleaning of all the
multiple pins etc harumf!!!
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jackie Brown
Sent: 07 July 2016 09:09
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Device servicing
Hi Jim
Blimey that's a large mouthful to swallow! (smile.) I needed my Alva BC680
serviced, and it cost a third of that! I wonder how these people can justify
that cost?
Kind Regards,
Jackie Brown
Emails: thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx
jackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Check out my website: www.thebrownsplace.info Read my EyeWrite blog:
www.thebrownsplace.info/?page_id=136
Follow me on Twitter: @thebrownsplace
Skype: thejackmate
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jim McAuslan
Sent: 07 July 2016 09:04
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Device servicing
Hi List,
I'm just looking for some feedback re the servicing of devices.
Yesterday I called Sight and Sound technology regarding the serviceing of my
Focus 80 Braille display.
I was somewhat shocked to find out that if I wanted a full service for this
device it would be in the area of £620 or thereabouts. I quick glance would
cost £75.
I am hoping to sell this device and obviously I want to sell it in the best
codition.
Any thoughts?
Jim McAuslan from sunny Findhorn
Minds are like parachutes
They work best when open
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