In case you haven't heard, there is a petition on change.org and a legal battle (court filing docs) going on between Prentke Romich Company (a communications device company) and Speak for Yourself (an app based communications company) and here is synopsis of the petition on change.org from Dana Nieder's blog Uncommon Sense:
"First, the link to our petition on change.org asking that Speak for Yourself be returned to the App Store immediately and allowed to remain there throughout litigation and regardless of the lawsuit results. Business disputes should have business resolutions, and those who need this app to communicate should be assured that they will not lose it. (If you agree, please sign and share-thanks!)"To get a better understanding of why Dana has started the petition, please take a few minutest to read about her daughter Maya at Uncommon Sense: The Silencing of Maya.
As stated above part of the issue is that Apple removed the app, <--- Time online article, from its store without a court order requiring them to do so (just pressure from PRC). I understand there is some potential liability to take into consideration, but shouldn't the individuals relying on this app be taken into consideration as well? How will they receive any updates from SfY? If PRC wins, will this app disappear from their i-pads? Honestly, Dana is the leading voice regarding this issue and for a better understanding of who she is and how this affects her family, please take a few minutes to peruse her blog:
(an introduction to Uncommon Sense)
or
(the first post about SfY and PRC)
Now here's a couple of numbers to consider:
PRC's equipment costs range from $3K (1 model only) to $16K.
SfY App: $299.99 plus the cost of an i-pad.
It is likely that Rae will need a device/app like this and with medical expenses, equipment costs, and rising costs of virtually everything...well...personally, we can't afford PRC's equipment. I'm sure insurance helps cover some of the cost and there are places to apply to for financial assistance (which 90% of the time we don't qualify for) which means (for us) the SfY app (or something very similar) would be our first choice. Now I am on pins and needles waiting to find out what will happen to Maya's voice because the outcome will most likely affect my own child.
If you'd like to read other articles regarding PRC and SfY, Dana has provided continued updates and links to stories relating to this legal quagmire. Check out: Uncommon Sense: The Silencing of Maya: Links Round-Up.
It is likely that Rae will need a device/app like this and with medical expenses, equipment costs, and rising costs of virtually everything...well...personally, we can't afford PRC's equipment. I'm sure insurance helps cover some of the cost and there are places to apply to for financial assistance (which 90% of the time we don't qualify for) which means (for us) the SfY app (or something very similar) would be our first choice. Now I am on pins and needles waiting to find out what will happen to Maya's voice because the outcome will most likely affect my own child.
If you'd like to read other articles regarding PRC and SfY, Dana has provided continued updates and links to stories relating to this legal quagmire. Check out: Uncommon Sense: The Silencing of Maya: Links Round-Up.
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