[nfbmi-talk] people still can't connect here in mich

[joe harcz Comcast]

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is pleased to announce the establishment of iCanConnect Michigan, a program established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to distribute a wide array of assistive technology to people who are deaf-blind and require special equipment to make a phone call, send an email or access the Internet. 

Working in conjunction with the FCC, Perkins School for the Blind and Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC),  BSBP will connect  people in Michigan who are deaf-blind with the proper equipment and training on how to utilize it.  iCanConnect was mandated by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) and provides a wide range of hardware, software and applications to suit the varying communications technology needs of people who have hearing and vision loss..

Who can benefit from iCanConnect Michigan?

·        A recent college graduate who is deaf-blind and wants to use Monster.com to search for a job; 

·        A young girl with combined hearing and vision loss who wants to use Skype to connect via sign language with her grandmother;  

·        A man who has lost sight and hearing as a result of aging and wants to email and Facebook to reconnect with friends and family.

 

Who is eligible?

 

Any individual who meets the definition of deaf-blindness in the HKNC Act and has an income that does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level can qualify to receive telephone, advanced communications and information services equipment. 

Communication is essential for staying healthy, holding a job, managing a household and participating in the community. If you know someone who might benefit from the iCanConnect Michigan program, please contact Cindy Caldwell at 517-335-7124 or caldwellc at michigan.gov.

 

You can also visit the new website, www.iCanConnect.org or call 1-800-825-4595.