15/09/2025
When accessibility is available, we don’t just “get by” — we thrive. We study, we work, we lead, we create, and we contribute.
Someday, may independence simply be part of everyday life for all.
💻🔊 “Why is assistive technology so expensive?!”
Screen readers, Braille displays, magnifiers, and other assistive tech are game changers for blind people. They open doors to studying, working, traveling, connecting, and simply living with independence. ✨
The problem is: these tools often cost as much as a brand-new laptop… or even a motorcycle. For many, that price tag is just too high.
💸 The cost of accessibility today:
🔊 Screen reader licenses — up to ₱90,000
🖊️ Braille displays — around ₱250,000+
🔎 Digital magnifiers — ₱50,000–₱100,000 each
📱 Smartphones that run TalkBack or VoiceOver smoothly often need to be mid-range or flagship models, since cheaper ones lag, freeze, or don’t support accessibility features well.
⌚ Smartwatches — accessibility features are built-in, but usually only in the latest or more expensive versions
👓 Smart glasses — branded options like Meta Glasses can support blind and visually impaired users, but they come with a premium price tag
Accessibility is not a luxury.
It’s how blind people study, work, travel, communicate, and live independently.
But with prices this high, many are left behind — not for lack of skill, but because the tools remain out of reach.
📢 What needs to change (and what can change):
✔ More accessible facilities where blind and visually impaired people can use computers, access materials in different formats, and explore new models of learning and work
✔ Broader support for mobile and electronic devices for blind and low vision users — going beyond white canes and talking watches
✔ A shift in mindset — accessibility is a right, not a privilege
Because when accessibility is available, we don’t just “get by” — we thrive. We study, we work, we lead, we create, and we contribute.
🌟 Someday, may independence simply be part of everyday life for all. 💙
👉 What assistive tech do you wish was more affordable? Share it in the comments.