# I Can Connect Program

Category: Hear No Evil - See No Evil

## Post 1 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 17-Dec-2012 14:34:16

Hi guys,
Just wanted to inform you all that there is a government-funded initiative to obtain equipment that you can use in phone calls. I think the website is www.icanconnect.org or you can google I Can Connect if my link doesn't work.

## Post 2 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Sunday, 03-Nov-2013 12:27:37

I got my braille sense from them recently.

## Post 3 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 21-Apr-2014 17:26:11

it does depend on how much you make, if you even can apply for this program.

## Post 4 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Tuesday, 22-Apr-2014 2:00:26

It's also specifically for folks who are both deaf and blind.
Bob

## Post 5 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Tuesday, 22-Apr-2014 2:01:29

Oops, sorry, I didn't notice what board we were in.
Bob

## Post 6 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Tuesday, 22-Apr-2014 21:35:58

I think it's a great program for those who qualify. Sadly, I'm just outside the range of qualifying. I really start to thihnk that the income requirement should be raised, or eliminated altogether. The reason for this is that most db people don't make above this threshold anyway, and even if you made 75 grand a year, and need a telicomunications package that costs 6 grand, it's going to cost you way more than your sighted counterpart who can just buy a $200 iPhone and have it all set up and ready to go. I think that, perhaps a more fare way of doing this aspect of the project would be to make deaf-blind people pay for the mainstream tech part of what they need, but that the specialized hardware and software should be paid for. E.G. a braille display, video phone, etc.

## Post 7 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Wednesday, 23-Apr-2014 5:05:58

I just filled out the application for this yesterday.

## Post 8 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Tuesday, 29-Apr-2014 4:55:17

I agree with KCP on this one. Not everyone can get this equipment because they make too much. In my opinion, the government should provide some stuff free of charge to deaf-blind users; everything is so expensive. Like this new alarm clock called the Helen, it's $1,000 or something. Are you serious? For a clock?

## Post 9 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Tuesday, 29-Apr-2014 11:30:43

I agree with Scott. But this is a major part of how we do social service benefits wrong, in my opinion.
Look at the Wellfare to Work program in the 90s, where single mothers were put to work and made barely above what it cost for the kids to be in daycare.
It is shortsighted. And people like you guys are made to suffer.
Sad, very sad.

## Post 10 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Saturday, 31-May-2014 15:32:03

Just kinda sucks that they won't buy actual hearing aids.

## Post 11 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Tuesday, 10-Feb-2015 10:23:00

I filled out my application and was in their database by June third of 2014. I was assigned a regional rep, who exchanged several emails with me. I have a saved email where she promised to call me this week, sent on October sixth of 2014. As of today, with only a few emails and no other word of my assessment, I called the rep's assistant. Apparently, they didn't have a lot of information on file for me, so I helped her update the info. After 8 months, I guess this is at least a small step in the right direction. The rep is supposed to call me either today or tomorrow, and I'll report back after she does. so far, I'm not all that impressed. I feel like I'm being teased with all this stuff I could have, but it's just out of my reach.
true, I could have called much earlier than this. My schedule is wide open, and I know these people are busy, so I was trying to be courtius and let her contact me on her schedule, but I saw that this just wasn't working for me.

## Post 12 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Tuesday, 10-Feb-2015 12:11:40

wow, okay, so here's a quick update. After I called the rep's assistant, the rep sent me a big string of questions by email, which I filled out and sent back to her. I'll have to say that she's very thurro in her questioning. at least now, something is being done. I just didn't want to leave this hanging in the air, so to speak. Looks like email is really this woman's preferred method of communication.

## Post 13 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Tuesday, 10-Feb-2015 23:20:39

Regional reps do lots of email work, because it requires a crap load of time on the road. Plus this program isn't the only thing they do. I'm glad it worked out for you, Anthony! I'm also hoping you get your equipment quickly. Did she say what you would b be getting?

## Post 14 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Wednesday, 11-Feb-2015 7:10:20

She asked about a Bluetooth loop for my iPhone, but my hearing aids don't have Bluetooth capabilities. she said that was really too bad, since the Bluetooth thing would open so many more doors for me. She recommended the Focus 14 and 40 Braille displays, but she told me to look around, in case I found one that I'd rather have. If I get one with input, I'd much rather have the qwerty style keyboard. I'm just not much for the Braille input. I'm sure I'd get used to it, but I'm much more proficient with the qwerty. She told me to look around on the Humanware site as well. I'll get an iPhone 6. I didn't want the plus. Too big. Not really sure what else to ask for. I told her that an amplified cordless phone would really be nice. I could also use Kurtzweil.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?

## Post 15 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Wednesday, 11-Feb-2015 7:54:22

oh, and I told her that I needed a new FM system, since mine is from something like 2007.

## Post 16 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Thursday, 12-Feb-2015 18:49:03

I'm not sure the FM system will be covered, but if asked, say that your current FM is dead, and that you need it to connect to your computer for additional amplification. Otherwise, you may not be able to get a FM system through the program. Honestly, I don't care for the Bluetooth loops myself, they eat your phone's battery for lunch as well as the batteries in your hearing aids. I would just use a standard pair of headphones if I were you.
Braille displays are a tough topic to cover in a board post. I think the Focus 14 is about as brittle as an old person's hips. I've had to send several back for consumers and unless you're really really careful, it'll probably break. If you want something portable you may wish to look at the Refreshabraille 18. The VarioUltra 20 is another option, but to be honest, it's not quite ready for prime time yet.
Unless you want an external keyboard for qwerty input, the only option you have for qwerty input with a braille display at the moment is the braille sense u2 qwerty from HIMS. It also has a bunch of internal functions, it's a full fledged notetaker. Let me know if you have further questions.

## Post 17 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Thursday, 12-Feb-2015 19:13:23

what about the ones from Humanware, even if it means dealing with the Braille keyboard? Would they hold up better, and would they work with Jaws?