- From: Paul Davis <paul@ten-20.com>
- Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000 16:08:15 +0000
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
"… Implement Significant New Support for Disabled Access to the Internet. The Bush program will differ from current initiatives, which focus on new laws mandating access. Bush will instead push for a tripling of funding for Rehabilitative Engineering Research Centers; creation of a new "Technology Transfer Fund" to help bring assistive technology to market; a tenfold increase the funding for low-interest loan programs to help people with disabilities purchase assistive technology; and the provision of $75 million annually in tax incentives and a new $20 million low interest loan program to help people with disabilities telework." Ah Hah! glad to see the US has a gravy train for selected organisations/individuals as well, here we have the EEC, who hand out huge sums to certain organisations to help disabled people. ( I am referring to multi millions here) The yard stick used for further funding is their success rate. I was therefore more than curious to note that one such organization claimed a 115% success rate. I understand why this was achieved but I also noted they classified a person wearing glasses as disabled. It presumably totally risked the chance of future funding if they attempted to re-train a person in a wheel chair, then could not get him/her a job. Far too risky and totally screwed the percentages. I think you in the States are about to go down the same road. Of course it is very politically correct in every sense of the word. But don't mean diddley squat. It's just sound bytes with a heavy price tag. If it is any consolation to you in the States the money will be spent. I suggest that you try to climb aboard the gravy train before the corporations take up all the seats. You may actually do something positive with it. Paul Davis www.ten-20.com The UK portal site for disabled people and associated professionals.
Received on Saturday, 16 December 2000 11:06:38 UTC