Being disabled is quite expensive.
Depending on the level of disability, expenses for
daily living can run up to several thousands of dollars
per month. Compounding this problem is the lack of
gainful employment. Unemployment for people with
disabilities runs as high as 70 percent in some states.
I researched how much it would cost to have
voice-activated items needed by disabled people.
First, there's the cost of a computer. A decent
system with enough memory and disk space costs an
average of $899. Next is voice-activated software, at
$100 to $200. Then comes the microphone at $50 to $150.
Last, there's a hands-free mouse that allows you to run
the computer in case the voice-activated software
freezes up or crashes. The cost of hands-free mouse runs
a whopping $750. That's the price for a basic mouse. If
you want one that responds to eye movements or
inclinations of the head and neck, be ready to fork out
anywhere from $995 to $14,900.
The cost of technology for people with disabilities
is much higher than for the non-disabled population.
Why? Because companies that make high-tech hands-free
equipment say the market is limited, so the price
reflects the investment for their creation.
Want to be able to answer the phone? There's a
wireless headset that can be used as a stand-alone,
voice-controlled telephone and, for an additional price,
a voice-command environmental control unit to turn on
lights, the television and just about any other
appliance in your home or office. Price: $425.
How about a system that operates anything that has a
remote control: TV, VCR, DVD, stereo, door openers and
adjustable beds? That will set you back $2,500.
The real sticker shock comes with the cost of an
electric wheelchair - starting out at $10,000. For the
severely disabled, such as people with severe cerebral
palsy and quadriplegics with little mobility,
wheelchairs that operate with a puff of air can run as
high as $40,000.
Want a vehicle that accommodates a wheelchair? Be
prepared to shell out another $12,000 to $45,000, or
rely on the city bus system, which has a 50-50 chance of
having a working lift when you need one.
If you have a job without insurance, the government
won't pick up the entire tab. Outside agencies must be
contacted, and the waiting game for approval begins. In
the meantime, the only viable solution is residing in a
nursing home - which costs about $2,000 a month.
You'd think that with the monthly cost of nursing
home care the government would pay for any assistive
devices needed to get a person with disabilities out on
his or her own. The cost savings to entitlement programs
are enormous, and the tax revenue would help fund
programs for those who cannot live on their own.
This kind of logic hasn't penetrated enough to lead
to solid legislation. Better start saving your pennies.
McKee, a wheelchair user, is a freelance writer
and producer. You can e-mail her at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
