[nfbwatlk] National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) Announcement

Mon Nov 10 16:41:07 UTC 2014

From: Olson, Toby (ESD) [mailto:TOlson2 at ESD.WA.GOV]
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2014 11:11 AM
To: GCDE-INFO at LISTSERV.WA.GOV
Subject: Fwd: National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) Announcement

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: Eva Larrauri <elarr at uw.edu<mailto:elarr at uw.edu>>
Date: November 7, 2014, 8:58:37 AM PST
To: "TOlson2 at ESD.WA.GOV<mailto:TOlson2 at ESD.WA.GOV>" <TOlson2 at ESD.WA.GOV<mailto:TOlson2 at ESD.WA.GOV>>
Subject: FW: National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) Announcement
Fyi.

Eva Larrauri, MA, CRC |Training and Information Specialist
Northwest ADA Center<http://www.nwadacenter.org/> | University of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine<http://ccer.org/>
6912 220th St. SW, Suite 105  | Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Voice/TTY: 800.949.4232 | *425.771.7425
[cid:image001.jpg at 01CFFA69.4B2C2C90]<facebook.com/NorthwestADACenter>      [cid:image002.jpg at 01CFFA69.4B2C2C90] <http://www.twitter.com/nwadacenter>       [cid:image003.png at 01CFFA69.4B2C2C90] <http://www.youtube.com/user/NWADACenter>

This message (including any attachments) is confidential and may be privileged. The technical assistance provide herein is intended solely for the use of the intended recipient.  If you have received it by mistake, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete all copies of this from your system. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this message in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. The information, materials, and/or technical assistance, that are provided by The Northwest ADA Center, is intended as general, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA or any other law nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibilities under the ADA.

[cid:~WRD000.jpg]
STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
OFFICE OF DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
1-800-422-7930 (V/TTY)  360 339-7382 (VP) or Web site: odhh.dshs.wa.gov<http://odhh.dshs.wa.gov>
PO Box 45301 Olympia, WA 98504-5301

________________________________

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) Announcement

The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) is pleased to announce that the WA Assistive Technology Program at the University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies (UWCTDS) is the new Contractor that will provide eligible applicants with assessment, training and purchase of NDBEDP equipment. ODHH will continue to determine program eligibility for applicants and will continue to be responsible for administration of the program. The NDBEDP provides Telecommunication equipment that allows eligible deaf-blind applicants to communicate with Friends, family and businesses and to access the internet.   UW CTDS will also be providing assessment and training for the Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED) program Deaf-Blind Communicator (DBC) for clients that wish to continue with the DBC. See information below for eligibility for the NDBEDP and contact information to reach ODHH.

The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) is a national program required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) that provides $199,301 annually to ODHH for the distribution of telecommunications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind residing in Washington State.

The NDBEDP information and application form is available on the ODHH NDBEDP website: (http://www.dshs.wa.gov/odhh/Telecommunications/NDBEDP/NDBEDP.shtml ) for convenient downloading and printing. Alternative formats of the NDBEDP application in text, PDF, large print or braille are available upon request.

Applicants or individuals interested in the NDBEDP program may contact ODHH via phone (V/TTY), email and videophone to request an application or to inquire regarding the NDBEDP project. ODHH will also post Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the ODHH website to answer questions you may have about the NDBEDP project and the application process.

To contact ODHH, please call us at 360-902-8000 (V/TTY), 1-800-422-7930 V/TTY, 360-339-7382 (VP), or email at ndbedp at dshs.wa.gov<mailto:ndbedp at dshs.wa.gov>.

Applicants approved for the NDBEDP Program should contact UWCTDS via Debbie Cook at debcook at uw.edu<mailto:debcook at uw.edu> for status in regards to appointments for assessments and training with NDBEDP distributed equipment.

Individuals interested in subcontracting with UWCTDS to provide NDBEDP assessment and training services to NDBEDP Applicants can contact Debbie Cook at debcook at uw.edu<mailto:debcook at uw.edu>.

NDBEDP Project FAQ's Update

What is the NDBEDP?  The NDBEDP is a project funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure Deaf-Blind people have access to communication devices that meet their needs.  ODHH has been certified by the FCC as of July 2, 2012 to administer the NDBEDP project in Washington State.

Who is eligible to apply?  A person who is recognized as "Deaf-Blind" by an approved professional, meets Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) Act definition of Deaf-Blind and has low income is eligible to apply for participation in the NDBEDP.

Is the NDBEDP Application available in alternative formats?  Yes, deaf-blind applicants may contact ODHH to request alternative formats of the NDBEDP application in text, large print or Braille.

What kind of equipment will be available?  Equipment will be decided on an individual case by case basis depending on a client's telecommunication goals, needs and abilities.  A few examples would be: Braille devices, computers, mobile devices, phones, signalers etc. Please note that clients need to have basic braille skills to use braille devices and basic computer skills to use Windows or Mac computers.

How do I apply and what documents do I need?  Applicants must submit a completed application form along with income verification documentation such as a pay stub, tax form or SSDI/SSI letter.  Verification of disability can be completed by a community based provider who serves deaf-blind persons or a licensed medical professional.  Please note that ODHH will not process applications if the application is incomplete or does not include income verification documents.   If you need assistance with your application, please contact Angela Theriault, Deaf-Blind Service Center (DBSC) Executive Director by email at angelatheriault at seattledbsc.org<mailto:angelatheriault at seattledbsc.org> or VP at 206-257-2754.

What happens after I apply?  Applications will be reviewed by ODHH to determine eligibility.  You will receive a letter of notification informing you of the status of your application.  If you are eligible, you will be contacted by the WA Assistive technology Program (WATAP) to schedule an appointment for an assessment. WATAP will ask you to sign a release of information so that they can talk with agencies who have provided technology assessments and training to you such as Dept. of Services for the Blind (DSB), Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and the Seattle Lighthouse etc.

Will I receive training on the equipment?  Upon completion of the evaluator's assessment, WATAP will refer you to an NDBEDP trainer who will teach you how to use the equipment selected for your communication needs. We will not provide training for functions of the equipment that are not necessary for telecommunications. We cannot provide any basic computer training.

Can I borrow equipment to try during my assessment? If you and WATAP agree that it would help you to try some equipment for a short time, and if you have enough skills to use the equipment without training, WATAP will loan equipment to you to help you make a decision about what is best for you.

Will there be a waiting list? Yes, because there is such a small amount of money to serve many people in Washington State, there is usually a long waiting list until funding becomes available. WATAP will let you know approximately how long you will have to wait for your equipment and training.

Who owns the equipment?  You will own the equipment which includes a warranty up to 3 years. Equipment that is provided through the NDBEDP becomes the client's responsibility.  Once the warranty expires you will be responsible for repair costs.   ODHH is not responsible for Non-warranty related repair costs that involve but are not limited to damage caused by moisture, heat or abuse by the client or his/her household members.

If my Device/Software needs repair, who do I contact? Contact WATAP for assistance with arranging for repair of your equipment. It will be your responsibility to pay for any repairs not covered by the warranty. WATAP may be able to loan you equipment while your devices are being repaired.

Will the NDBEDP cover costs of my monthly service plan? No.  Clients are responsible for any costs associated with internet or wireless services.

What happens when I am no longer using the equipment? You may not sell or give the equipment away. If you are no longer using the equipment, please contact WATAP to arrange return of the equipment.

What happens if I feel I need different equipment? We do not have enough funds to give everyone the latest and greatest technology when something new comes out. If your vision or hearing loss changes and you are no longer able to use your equipment, contact WATAP to arrange a new assessment. WATAP may upgrade or replace your equipment when the three year warranty is past.

Where can I obtain more information about the NDBEDP?  You may obtain information about NDBDEP such as the NDBEDP Consumer Guide from the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) website by clicking on the following link: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program .
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: ~WRD000.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 823 bytes
Desc: ~WRD000.jpg
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20141110/16d53587/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1560 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20141110/16d53587/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1910 bytes
Desc: image002.jpg
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20141110/16d53587/attachment-0002.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2632 bytes
Desc: image003.png
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20141110/16d53587/attachment.png>