Hear Again

I couldn't agree with you more Aleser.

I have a BrailleNote 32 BT with GPS that I've used for the past several years and it has been invaluable to me by enabling me to use Braille realtime captioning in my university classes. It has also permitted me to ride the bus independently even though I could not hear stops when they were called out by the driver. Finally, my BrailleNote allows me to know if a taxi driver is taking me in the wrong direction so I can avoid being overcharged. (I've had some drivers insist I can't know where I'm going just because I'm blind.) I also know of other deafblind people who use a BrailleNote QT for communication purposes and this has allowed them to communicate with sighted-hearing people without the need for an interpreter.

Something else that I think needs to be addressed is the extremely high cost of adaptive technology. Many of us can't afford screen readers, Braille displays, notetakers and GPS systems ourselves, so it would be nice if the manufacturers of these devices created a payment plan so that they can get in the hands of more people who could benefit from them.

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Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE
(Implanted: 12/22/04 | Activated: 1/18/05)
Right ear - Nucleus Freedom
(Implanted: 2/1/06 | Activated: 3/1/06)

Deafblind/Postlingual

Deafness

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Aleser

I completely agree. The cost of voiced adaptive equipment is insane, but once you add braille, it's just way out of what any random joe can afford. In the end, I think that creates a terrible circle in that people cannot buy the equipment that might prove to employers that they're just as good workers as anyone else. I think it would be really helpful if they have a different price if an agency is paying versus the user paying.

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"She thinks... she can make people do what she wants or needs, what is right, by the sheer force of her own talent, not by forcing them... she can teach them and persuade them... that they'll catch it from her. This is still faith in their rationality, in the omnipotence of reason. The mistake? Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them."