[tabi] Re: I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse

  • From: "Darla J. Rogers" <djrogers0628@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:04:22 -0500

Dear Chip,

I am **not** in favor of no-interest loans; I have taken a couple of loans from 
a foundation in California when I lived there, and they did charge a small 
interest fee--remember there is a bit of overhead--and if set up properly, 
might bolster the credit of blind folks who don't get a lot of opportunity to 
develop credit histories, especially if he/she is unemployed.

Darla


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chip Orange 
  To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 2:24 PM
  Subject: [tabi] Re: I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse


  Thanks Elizabeth; however, this program does charge interest on their loans, 
and they do evaluate you on the ability to pay back the loan.

  their evaluations may be generous, I don't know, but I was specifically 
thinking of a no interest program.

  anyway, anyone who'd like to pursue a loan for assistive technology from 
FAAST can go to the web page below for some information:

  http://www.faast.org/New-Horizon-Fund/







  ------------------------------

  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.)






----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Elizabeth S. Bowden
    Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 10:41 AM
    To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Subject: [tabi] Re: I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse


    The FAAST program also has a loan program in place.  

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Lynn Evans 
      To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
      Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:54 PM
      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 
        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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