Why Accessibility Costs $$$ + Low Cost Solutions

#blind #disability #accessibility
0:10 Intro
0:48 Why it costs $$$
6:05 Industry Solutions
9:45 Low Cost Options/Solutions
Thumbnail Description: Tamara with her hands up in a why gesture looking frustrated. She is on a white background with text above her head that says WHY?! To her left a rolling office chair shows a $100 price tag. To her right a wheelchair shows a $10000 price tag.
Subscribe and hit those notification bells!
kzbin.info...
Unsightly's Socials:
Instagram @ unsightlyopinions -
/ unsightlyopinions
Twitter: @ unsightlyop --
/ unsightlyop
Twitch @ UnsightlyGaming --
/ profile
Gaming Channel @ Unsightly Gaming -- / @unsightlygaming
Web/Blog @ --
www.unsightlyopinion.com
Patreon --
/ unsightlyopinions
For business inquiries contact:
[e-mail]
---
Lumix G7

[@MrMagoo-wp7pq]

I am a military veteran in the USA. I discovered that the Veterans Administration has a tremendous program to help vets with disabilities. I recently returned home from attend a VA run blind rehab program. Not only did I get training, but I also received many devices free that are helping me in my daily living. It is a resource for veterans in the USA.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Thank you for sharing! Important info for many. :)

[@Spiralnebel_GB]

Using Open Sauce software can be helpful as well for example instead of using Jaws there is also NVDA or there a free magnifying solutions for Linux distributions. Keyboards in high contrast and large characters can be found much cheaper on Amazon. Visiting fairs can be also a good place to discover new products, make connections and good deals.

[@Drewy62]

How about consider becoming a beta tester for the tech you need. A former employee of mine got a couple of braille displays this way. Great video!

[@PEACEinYESHUA-oj7vc1pk7w]

Thank you so much for explaining this stuff to me. It's shocking the greed of people. I became wheelchair reliant about 7 years ago. have severe M.E and after ending up paralysed from the neck down, I recovered movement but I lost my ability to walk. I don't have power in my arms to self propel, so I use an electric wheelchair. Up until now I have been using a free electric wheelchair from the NHS I live in the UK. I am too sick to work, so I am blessed to have benefits to survive on. However although the chair i am using has been very good, it has zero suspension, and the seating is very bad. t is causing spinal issues and multiple other serious problems. The only option I have is to hire a wheelchair through a scheme, but the dealers really charge a huge amount for a good wheelchair. But I am in agony to the point am confined to bed lots. The new electric wheelchair has the correct seating and a tilt function that will deal with pressure issues on my bottom reducing the need to stay in bed. t has suspension on every wheel, lights, I need a head and neck support now so this can be added, and I need a harness for going out. I am excited about my new wheelchair. t's a high end chair. But I am not looking forward to the cost every month.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. My new chair was excruciatingly expensive even with government rebates so I can empathize! Glad you were able to find a way to make it work!

[@PEACEinYESHUA-oj7vc1pk7w]

❤ you so much, yes I have the chair out now as a test run, and it's really fab. The seating is perfect, though needs modifying slightly. Definitely going to be worth it. The Occupational Therapist is due back next week to take notes of everything i need and then she will order my new power chair. I love the fact it is much faster than my old chair and the rise and tilt function is really cool. So excited, yes it's costly even with the government funding as you say, but it has got to the stage my disability is worsening because of the old chair and I run the risk of damaging my spine which is scar😬

[@carrieonaccessibility]

Oh my goodness. Great video with great points. Just one thing... There are very, very few insurance companies in the US that pay for that assistive technology though. Which sucks.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

It really does it’s just as “medically necessary” in my mind as a wheelchair is to someone with mobility challenges. If we covered things reasonably for folks with disabilities there would be a lot less unemployment and poverty in the disability community.

[@BlindTechAdventures]

I’m new to your videos, and appreciate you hitting on this topic, and for your perspectives. Keep up the great content!

[@MrMagoo-wp7pq]

Another excellent, informative video. Your videos inspire me to discuss these topics with other blind individuals I get together with on a monthly basis. Thank you.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

I’m so glad you find them thought provoking. I’m hoping if we keep talking and sharing ideas no one will go without. :)

[@DianaWilson]

So many great tips. Thank you so much.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

My pleasure. :)

[@tofu3802]

Hi Tamara!, Thank you for your video, this is certainly a big issue, and I don't think many realise, how difficult it can be getting hold of some of these new in most cases, life changing technologies, in many cases for many. Here in Sweden, they have introduced, a monthly payment system, but this can be different in different areas, I cant say if its better in some towns compared to others, but its usually, for most standard equipment, as types of white cains etc.. but a lot of new technologies are not available, because of the price factor, and if one wants to purchase the device, its so expensive, that its not really possible. I Have'nt been made aware, if certain equipment, is available Second Hand. Thank you, for your informative video! kind regards Tony from Scandinavia

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

Insurance companies are in the business to TAKE your money, not to give it back. Never assume they will do what they are by law required to do. Here's an example I heard about several years ago as I was fighting the insurance company myself. A man who was injured at work was fighting to get his workman's compensation YEARS later, the insurance company had the venue changed yet again the day before they were to face a judge finally (the insurance company having run out of other tactics to delay the hearing). The insurance company moved the location to am ancient courthouse with no ramp or elevator so the man could not get his wheelchair into the building much less the court room. The judge fortunately met the man in the parking lot and found out the ploy the insurance company had used. The judge had the parking lot cleared and then held court in the parking lot. This is the kind of dirty tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying what they legally owe.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

It’s awful to hear stories like that. I’m glad the judge had some sense and made it work.

[@soaringeagle5418]

Part of the problem is that many disabilities are person specific even for the same type disability. I'm 6'2" I can't use the same cane that a 5'2" woman uses. Lenses for glasses, hearing aides, prosthetic devices are all custom made. The US health care system has been a mess ever since the (un)affordable health care act was passed. I have insurance through that program and recently went to the doctor for a battery of physical therapy tests. The amount billed to my insurance company was $980 US. Insurance paid 10% leaving me with out of pocket costs of $882. If I had been uninsured my direct costs for those tests would have been $550. The current insurance system lets the physicians double dip. Which brings up a point for Canadians. If you are dealing with a US company sometimes telling them that you are private pay (uninsured) will cut through all the red tape and get you the private pay price. A place that you can sometimes get second hand accessibility items that wasn't mentioned is to keep an eye open for estate sales. Usually no other family members need those items and they can be had for a much lower price. Then all you have to do is find someone that can modify the item for your needs. Those of us that are members of the disability community should band together and start our own industry. For example, after watching your videos about cane tips I thought of a design for a tip that would do every thing all of those large and clunky tips do but be lighter, less expensive, have a longer usable life, and work in any type of terrain with any of the caning methods. There are hurdles to overcome though. A tip that works for a short woman may not work for a tall man and the more things you do to accommodate the more likely that you'll have a problem. I'm working on a prototype. If it works, I'll apply for a patent. At that point I'll need some people for testing....

[@chef-magoo]

very little, to know, help where I live in North Carolina nothing from insurance companies at all, fortunately, in my previous job, I was smart enough to file for disability insurance, so there’s that. But from the state of North Carolina, I got a keen a week of instruction, and if I wanted, I could have a large print Bible and they would teach me how to fish. Not kidding. If I have to buy something that’s pricey as far as an aid, I try to buy it from the organizations that provide help for others such as lighthouse. Just bought a new pen friend from one such organization. I think tax incentives, government oversight, like that would work, are the only things that would keep companies from trying to gouge. I think a company like Uber takeout quite well by receiving a tax credit for giving free transportation to those with disabilities to prevent them from transporting themselves. One day, maybe more people in this world, people like you, will start looking out for one another instead of the buck they may be able to make

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

It can be quite frustrating to have so little available and everything cost so much. it seems strange that all they offered you was how to fish haha. That's a very strange and hyper-specific hobby to learn when there are so many others they could offer. Not saying fishing is bad, but I would assume not everyone is interested in fishing.

[@lisawinckelmans5678]

I just wanted to say that the difference between accessible and universal design is really important. I honestly don’t want accessible design as it is made for a small group of people, like braille on makeup products. Universal design is design that benefits everyone: like dots on shampoo bottles. Apple is universal design: people use dark mode all the time on there phones when this was a VIP thing for example

[@inekogary8870]

I got my braille note touch plus through iCan connect. And a purchase it from Human Ware. Another device I have is a blue focus 14 braille display I got that through I can connect. And they also purchase that from Freedom Scientific. And they gave me both items for free. Because that company called iCan connect Work with people with both deaf blind. And I am on the spectrum where I cannot see print and I’m on the spectrum where I am totally deaf without hearing aids. And I still qualified when they knew I had here needs that made me hard of hearing because they knew I will still have trouble hearing on the phone. So I was eligible for two different braille items. So I was just wanted to let you know in case you do another video can you please mention that if people are deaf blind they can get technology from a company called I can connect.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Fabulous! Thank you for sharing where you were able to find affordable adaptive equipment. :)

[@inekogary8870]

@@UnsightlyOpinions You are so very welcome. And I was happy to share.