Re: [libreplanet-discuss] Free software and disabilities

[Daniel Pocock]

On 16/12/15 00:19, John Sullivan wrote:
> Daniel Pocock <daniel@pocock.pro> writes:
>
>> One thing we should be more conscious of is that there are funding
>> programs and grants available to make the world better for people with
>> disabilities.  It would be very interesting to try and ensure that some
>> of that money is going to free software rather than proprietary
>> software.  Developers don't typically have a disposition for filling out
>> application forms so if there are other volunteers who would like to
>> help look for such programs and match them to relevant free software
>> projects and help with paperwork it could give interesting results and
>> it may indirectly benefit other parts of the free software ecosystem.
> The FSF certainly has people and willingness to help with such
> grant/funding applications, if someone can bring them to our attention.

This one is pretty big

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-15/gillard-cries-while-introducing-disability-legislation/4690692

They promise "security and dignity" for people with a disability.  That
should include the choice to use free software shouldn't it?

I'm not sure exactly how the money trickles down in practice but there
is a lot of it to be spent.  If I understand correctly, it is not really
something for nothing, they hope it will enable more of these people to
work and pay tax in the long term so it may be applicable to some types
of business software.

E.g.
http://www.ndis.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/accessibility_strategy_plan.docx

and commercial software vendors are already getting on the bandwagon:

http://atmac.org/ndis-apple-events-2015

Regards,

Daniel