>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 Net-Tamer V 1.11 - Registered