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

  • From: "Darla J. Rogers" <djrogers0628@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:14:28 -0500

Dear Chip,

There is nothing saying we have to do as FAAST does; I don't know their 
interest rates, but paying on an installment, with a small simple interest,  
lends dignity to the process and improves a person's credit, and believe me, I 
understand about no credit and bad credit and having my good name and credit 
worthiness restored.

Darla


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chip Orange 
  To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 3:14 PM
  Subject: [tabi] Re: I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse


  Well, then if that's what a person wants, to pay interest, he/she could apply 
to FAAST for the loan.

  I don't think paying interest has anything to do with your credit history 
however, and I want to keep costs down to the minimum for the person needing 
the loan.

  once you get into interest however, I believe lenders soon get into your 
credit worthiness (a recent person on here reported being denied a loan from 
FAAST because of their credit), and that's just the type of situation I would 
like to work around.  I know most blind people won't have good credit, and 
unless we're prepared to do something to help them get their assistive 
technology, they will likely never get it.

  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.)






----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Darla J. Rogers
    Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 2:04 PM
    To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Subject: [tabi] Re: I have an idea for TCB, NFB, and the Lighthouse


    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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