CCDHH Launches iCanConnect to Provide Communications Technology to Colorado Deaf-Blind Citizens

DENVER - May 16, 2013 - PRLog -- DENVER — Thursday, May 16, 2013 Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) recently launched iCanConnect Colorado, a program that allows deaf-blind individuals to receive telecommunications equipment at no charge.

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) allowed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program) to provide support for local distribution of accessible communications technology.

Working in conjunction with the FCC, the Perkins School for the Blind and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC), CCDHH will connect deaf-blind Coloradoans with equipment and training. The iCanConnect Colorado program will provide hardware, software and applications individually tailored for deaf-blind citizens.

“The Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is pleased to have been selected by the FCC as the sole entity certified to participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program for Colorado,” said Cliff Moers, Administrator of CCDHH. “This program will provide deaf-blind individuals with modern telecommunication tools, granting two-way communication between deaf-blind and the community at large.”

To qualify to receive communications technology under the iCanConnect initiative, an individual must have a certain level of deaf-blindness and the household income must be below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

For more information about the iCanConnect Colorado program or to receive an application, contact JoAnne Hirsch, Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Coordinator, at 303-866-2097 (Voice) 720-949-7457 (Videophone), or email joanne.hirsch@state.co.us.

About the Partners

Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (http://www.ccdhh.com/) assists government, non-profits and private agencies provide services to deaf and hard-of-hearing constituents across Colorado.  CCDHH provides the following: telecommunications equipment to qualifying citizens; auxiliary services and aids to the State Court System and consumers; outreach and consultative services to consumers, government and other entities; and grants, which are available to local government, state agencies, state-operated programs or private non-profit or not-for-profit community-based organizations.

Perkins School for the Blind (http://www.perkins.org/), the first school in the U.S. for students with visual impairments, provides education and services to help build productive, meaningful lives for more than 200,000 children and adults in the United States and more than 60 countries worldwide. Founded in 1829, Perkins pursues this mission around the world, in the community and on its Watertown, MA, campus.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (http://www.hknc.org/), authorized by an Act of Congress in 1967, is committed to enabling each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in his or her community of choice. Headquartered in Sands Point, NY, the Center provides support services for youth and adults who are deaf-blind, their families and the professionals who serve them through a network of field offices throughout the United States.

Press Contact:

Liz McDonough, 303-748-6910
Jess Harvat, 303-866-3411
Liz.McDonough@state.co.us
Jess.Harvat@state.co.us