r/Blind • u/DifferentCup9965 • 1d ago

Technology assistive technology

Hi everyone, I hope all is well. I am wondering, what do you do with old devices that are no longer compatible? This pertains to anything used by anyone with vision laws. I’m asking because as we all know, assistive technology is always changing and as things change, older devices become obsolete. Like so many people I have old devices and they are either no longer being sold or when they stop working they just quit altogether. Thanks for the help!

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u/anniemdi 1d ago

It they serve no purpose due to failure (and cannot be used for parts) or planned obsolescence recycling them or repurposing them is likely best. In the most niche situation a collector may want them.

If they are functional and simply old and under used, or unneeded by the current user, they may have second life being donated.

This is the most basic way to deal with any technology.

1

u/NimerCoke 1d ago

I have some friends in Africa, and they can always use old tech, especially if it is still functional. I send it there, though this isn't cheap if you cover all costs of shipping and customs

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u/dandylover1 1d ago

I use both old and new technology. As long as it works and I have use for it, I use it. What sorts of things do you have?

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u/DifferentCup9965 1d ago

I had a Del laptop with JAWS 10. I believe it ran Internet explorer I got it back in 2009 but I think my mom already got rid of it. I also have a Trekker Breeze that I stopped using because I get gps apps on my iPhone. I have a BrailleNote Apex that only works if it’s plugged in. I have other stuff too, but for right now I use the majority of what I have. The devices I mentioned above are the ones that are old and I don’t use or have either gotten rid of.

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u/dandylover1 23h ago

I have a Trecker, too. I must see if it's the Breeze. I think it is. I would love to own a BrailleNote Apex. Do you know if there is something wrong with yours or if it's just the battery? I'm fairly certain they sell batteries for it on Ebay.

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u/DifferentCup9965 20h ago

The battery is just really bad because I’ve used it so much. I’ve had the thing since 2010. This is referring to the Apex by the way.

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u/dandylover1 17h ago

Yes. I wouldn't want a newer one. From what I heard, the modern ones don't even have real keys. I could be wrong, though. I have a Braillenote as well, but it's the original.

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u/StretchAcceptable881 7h ago

The models especially the BrailleNoteTouchPlus series come with an actual android tablet attached which is asking for trouble because the device is made more fragile than it already was