iCanConnect Helps Bridge the Communication Gap for Individuals with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss

by Perkins School for the Blind

From the Editor: Perkins School for the Blind is the National Outreach Coordinator for iCanConnect. They have provided the Braille Monitor with this brief article describing the program. Here is what they share:

We've all heard the sayings, “Nothing in life is free” and “There’s always a catch!” but sometimes, exceptions prove the rule. The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, also known as iCanConnect, is one such exception, offering a truly invaluable service to people with significant combined vision and hearing loss.

iCanConnect is a national program that provides free distance communication equipment—think smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, Braille devices, and more—along with comprehensive training and support to individuals who are deafblind and meet federal eligibility guidelines. The program’s goal is to foster independence and connection by equipping participants, like Burgon Jensen, with the tools they need to communicate effectively with the world around them. 

Jensen, a teacher, artist, and small business owner from Draper, Utah, lives with her guide dog, Lucia. She’s deaf and was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive condition that led to her eventual blindness. When Jensen attended the Helen Keller National Center in New York, she started to feel isolated. It wasn’t easy to operate her old smartphone and it was challenging overall for her to use it to communicate with her loved ones back home. It had a small keyboard, so she would use the dictation function a lot, which often led to miscommunication. It was almost impossible for Jensen to do simple tasks like check her email or text messages. This left her feeling disconnected from her family, friends, and the world. 

After an acquaintance referred Jensen to iCanConnect, she applied and was accepted into the program. An iCanConnect representative then met with her to discuss her distance communications needs and goals. Through the program, Jensen received an iPhone, a Focus 14 portable Braille display, and a MacBook Pro, as well as training on how to use the new equipment. 

Reflecting on her life today, Jensen says iCanConnect has been “life-changing,” and the equipment and training she received through the program have made a huge difference in how she communicates.

“I email and text with my family and friends, I participate in social media, and I use video chat to teach remote ASL lessons twice a week,” says Jensen. The equipment she received through iCanConnect also helps her to be able to run her small online business. “I can easily respond and communicate with all of my customers, which is really important to me.”

iCanConnect Eligibility Guidelines

iCanConnect participants include individuals of all ages, from those with progressive conditions like CHARGE and Usher syndromes, to seniors experiencing age-related vision and hearing decline.

The iCanConnect application process begins with verifying eligibility. Applicants must have significant combined vision and hearing loss and meet federal income guidelines. Detailed eligibility requirements are available on the iCanConnect website at https://www.icanconnect.org. After confirming eligibility, individuals should locate their state’s iCanConnect representative and submit an application.

Once accepted into the program, participants are assessed by an iCanConnect trainer to determine the most appropriate distance communication equipment for their needs. Participants also receive a customized training plan tailored to their specific distance communication goals. The equipment is then ordered, installed, and the participant’s iCanConnect trainer provides in-home or in-residence training and support.

The impact of iCanConnect on participants’ lives is profound. iCanConnect has empowered them to do things like use social media, send and receive emails and text messages, and connect with family and friends via platforms like Zoom and FaceTime. Grandparents, adolescents, and people of all ages and backgrounds are staying connected thanks to this innovative program.

Are you ready to learn more? Visit iCanConnect.org or call 1-800-825-4595 to find your state program and application details, explore available equipment options, and discover how iCanConnect is helping individuals with vision and hearing loss overcome distance communication barriers, foster independence, and reduce feelings of social isolation. You can follow iCanConnect on Facebook (facebook.com/icanconnect.org), X (@iCanConnect1), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iCanConnectCampaign.)