>I would have no objection to paying a fee for classes.  I'm not
   >sure of its feasibility simply because of numbers.

I can't speak for others, but frankly, I would be very surprised
if it was different than what we have here in Pittsburgh...

Our local computer training center, as well as the Greater
Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind rehab center where it is housed,
are more than willing to accept payment from individuals!  Well,
perhaps I shouldn't say "more than willing", as of course, when
people are paying for their own education they may expect a fair
return for their dollar, and heaven knows, few and far between
are the state counselors who take their job so seriously as to
actually verify that any substantial learning occured as a result
of a training program.

With that said, there are quite valid reasons why the majority of
blind people being sent to computer training programs SHOULD be
funded by the state, not the least of which being they are most
likely going as some part of a vocational rehabilitation program!
In the case of someone who lost a job due to their loss of sight,
the intent is to return them to the ranks of the employed, thus
it is seen as a wise investment on the part of the Social
Security Administration, who reimburses the state.  In the case
of a blind person who has never had a job, obviously a more
common occurrence than would be expected with the population as a
whole, again, computer training might be seen as a wise
investment.

In those rare cases where a blind individual has substantial
funds at their disposal, be it wealthy parents, an adequate
personal income, or whatever, and any computer training would be
primarily a quality of life or self improvement issue, of course
they should pay for it themself!  Unfortunately though, the costs
of these programs are so inflated due to their primary funding by
the state, the number of us who could afford them on our own must
be very few indeed!  That's why the individuals I know who wanted
to fund their own way through the computer training program here
didn't, they couldn't afford the rates, not because they were
prevented from doing so for any other reason.
                                        Willie


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