 The NDBEDP was mandated by the 21 st Century Communications Accessibility Act.  The NDBEDP supports local programs that distribute equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind to enable access to telephone, advanced communications, and information services.  Congress later appropriated up to $10 Million annually for the program.

 Of the annual amount, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set aside $500,000 for a NDBEDP national outreach program.  The remaining funds were appropriated to states based on population and prevalence.  $225,000 annually is available to Virginia.  The FCC later approved the official name for the NDBEDP as simply “iCanConnect”.

 Virginia’s iCanConnect is a cooperative effort between the VDDHH Technology Assistance Program and the DBVI DeafBlind Program.  The purchase, inventory, and distribution of equipment is the responsibility of VDDHH.  The verification of eligibility, final equipment selection, installation and training is the responsibility of DBVI.

The iCanConnect program receives assistance from partners also providing services to persons who are Deaf-Blind. They include: ◦ Virginia DeafBlind Project ◦ Virginia Association of the DeafBlind (VADB) ◦ Helen Keller Senior Adult Services ◦ Valley Community Services Board ◦ Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) ◦ VDDHH, DBVI, and DARS

As part of our proposal to the FCC for iCanConnect, the Perkins School for the Blind provides us with:  Customizable templates for brochures, web pages, and other outreach materials.  Access to a toll-free, voice/tty customer service number for technical support and remote trouble shooting.

As part of our agreement with the FCC for iCanConnect, the Helen Keller Senior Adult Services Program located at VCU provides:  Referrals and general assistance to staff, especially for Senior applicants.  Assistance with evaluation of an applicant’s Braille skills.  Recommendations for individual equipment selection.

 The FCC and Perkins School for the Deaf has complied a list of equipment available through the NDBEDP equipment that is eligible for reimbursement. They also want to provide state programs with flexibility for equipment selection.  Other devices can be added during the program based on applicant demand.  VDDHH and DBVI are working to purchase a selection of this equipment as demo devices.

 In addition to specialized devices traditionally associated with an equipment distribution program such as TAP, iCanConnect also includes purchase and distribution of computer-based programs and on-line communications services and apps for persons who are DeafBlind.  A list of available equipment appears on the national iCanConnect Website, A link to a Virginia-specific site will be available soon.

There are three Primary Sources of Intake and Referral for iCanConnect:  VDDHH Outreach Team including Valley CSB  DBVI Regional Teachers and Rehab Counselors  DRS Rehab Counselors for the Deaf The Primary Source of Application Processing and Consumer Training:  DBVI DeafBlind Program Staff

Intake and Referral Staff:  Identify potential applicants  Respond to inquiries regarding iCanConnect  Collect and complete application information  Determine and document financial eligibility  Refer applicant to VDDHH or the DBVI DeafBlind Program

DeafBlind Program Staff:  Review Application Information  Schedule Follow-up Appointment  Complete Assessment and Confirm Eligibility  Determine Appropriate Equipment  Forward All Documentation to VDDHH TAP Program to Obtain iCanConnect Equipment  Provide Installation and Training to Applicant

VDDHH TAP Program Staff will be expected to:  Maintain Inventory for iCanConnect Equipment  Provide Close-Vision and Tactile Interpreters if required  Confirm Application Receipt via  Review Application and Documentation for Completeness  Order Special Request Equipment if Necessary  Ship/Deliver Equipment to DBVI or Other Staff  Submit Documentation for Reimbursement

 Applicant must satisfy the definition of “deaf- blind” as defined in the Helen Keller National Center Act, US CODE, TITLE 29 – LABOR, CHAPTER 21 – Sec.1905, AND  Have an income level of less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or currently qualify for selected federal assistance programs (SSI, Food Stamps, Section 8, TANF, WTW, Food Stamps, SNAP, School Lunch, & Home Energy Assistance).

1. Who has a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a field defect such that the peripheral diameter of visual filed subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees, or a progressive visual loss having a prognosis leading to one or both of these conditions;

2. who has a chronic hearing impairment so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification, or a progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to this condition; and for whom the combination of impairments described above cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining a vocation;

3. who despite the inability to be measured accurately for hearing and vision loss due to cognitive or behavioral constraints, or both, can be determined through functional and performance assessment to have severe hearing and visual disabilities that cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining vocational objectives.

 Income of the applicant must be below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or currently receives assistance from selected Federal Programs (list appears on application).  For example, one individual calculates to $44,680 annually or $3,723 monthly. A chart appears on the application.  The staff member identifying and referring the individual to the VDBEDP for approval, should verify and document the total income of the applicant’s household.  If the applicant’s income exceeds 400%, they are not eligible for the VDBEDP (unlike TAP).

 VDDHH –  DBVI –  HKSAP –  iCC Website –  iCCVirginia –