iCanConnect – DeafBlind Services
If you have BOTH low vision and hearing loss, we’ll help you find a way to communicate across distance.
iCanConnect is a special free program to help people who have combined hearing and vision loss to access telephone, advanced communications and information services.
There are income requirements for this program.
iCanConnect gets people equipment to help them make a phone call, send an email, access the internet, or use other communications tools to talk with family, friends and other people.
To be eligible for iCanConnect, you must have both significant vision and hearing loss, and meet the program’s income guidelines.
Combined Vision and Hearing Loss
Significant vision loss is defined as having at least one of the following conditions:
- Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses
- A field defect such that the peripheral diameter of the visual field is no greater than 20 degrees
- Progressive visual loss with a prognosis leading to one or both of the above conditions
Significant hearing loss is defined as having at least one of the following conditions:
- Chronic hearing disabilities so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification
- Progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to an above condition
A professional must attest to your hearing and vision loss in writing.
Examples of professionals include:
- Community service provider
- Educator
- Healthcare provider
- Vision or hearing professional
- Vocational rehabilitation counselor
- Medical or health professional
Forms
Applications are download-only. The application is fillable once downloaded and can be submitted to us by email or mail, along with the required verification documents. See “Next Steps” in this page for directions.
iCanConnect Full Application
Includes Verification of Disability form.
Download the PDF – 600 KB
Verification of Disability Form Only
Download the PDF – 286 KB
For an accessible, fillable PDF version of the application please email iCanConnectPA@temple.edu.
If you qualify, this program is FREE to you. You already paid for this service with your tax dollars.
- CIL of NCPA – CIL of North Central PA
- CLASS – Community Living and Support Services
- CRI – Community Resources for Independence
- LIFT – Life and Independence for Today
- LVCIL – Lehigh Valley CIL
- PIAT – PA’s Initiative on Assistive Technology
- UCPNE – United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern PA
- UCPCP – United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA
- Voices For Freedom – Washington
iCanConnect, also known as the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, is a federal program administered locally in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
We are the local program for all of Pennsylvania. iCanConnect, also known as the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
More information about iCanConnect, including links to the FCC’s consumer guide and program rules
Financial Eligibility Guidelines, as of January 20, 2024
Gross Income (400% of federal poverty guidelines)
Size of Family Unit
1 $60,240
2 $81,760
3 $103,280
4 $124,800
5 $146,320
6 $167,840
7 $189,360
8 $210,880
For each additional person, add $21,520.
Please contact your resource center and maybe we can work with you to find the equipment you need.
After we determine that you are eligible, you will be contacted to schedule an equipment assessment. After the assessment, equipment will be ordered for you.
You may be eligible to receive equipment that enables you to make a phone call, send an email, access the Internet or use other communications technology so you can communicate with family, friends, community members, etc.
- Gather the documents you need to verify your household income.
- Download the Disability Verification form and have a qualified professional complete it.
- Download and complete the iCanConnect Application. The form is fillable once downloaded.
- Submit your completed iCanConnect Application, Disability Verification form, and income verification by email or mail.
- Contact your resource center if you need assistance or have questions.
- Mail, fax or email your completed application and supporting documents to the address below. Keep a copy of your application and supporting documents for your records.
Mail: Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development
Attn: iCanConnectPA
Ritter Annex 4 | Room RA 430
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Fax: 215-204-6336
Email: iCanConnectPA@temple.edu
iCanConnectPA is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Information provided on this application form will only be used to determine eligibility for iCanConnectPA equipment and services. iCanConnectPA will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless you give permission, or if the iCanConnectPA program is required by law to do so. iCanConnectPA secures your personal information; suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures are in place to safeguard the information iCanConnectPA collects.
Privacy Statement
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) collects personal information about individuals through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), a program also known as iCanConnect. The FCC will use this information to administer and manage the NDBEDP.
Personal information is provided voluntarily by individuals who request equipment (NDBEDP applicants) and individuals who attest to the disability of NDBEDP applicants. This information is needed to determine whether an applicant is eligible to participate in the NDBEDP. In addition, personal information is provided voluntarily by individuals who file NDBEDP-related complaints with the FCC on behalf of themselves or others. When this information is not provided, it may be impossible to resolve the complaints. Finally, each state’s NDBEDP-certified equipment distribution program must submit to the FCC certain personal information that it obtained through its NDBEDP activities. This information is required to maintain each state’s certification to participate in this program.
The FCC is authorized to collect the personal information that is requested through the NDBEDP under sections 1, 4, and 719 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, and 620.
The FCC may disclose the information collected through the NDBEDP as permitted under the Privacy Act and as described in the FCC’s Privacy Act System of Records Notice at 77 FR 2721 (Jan. 19, 2012), FCC/CGB-3, “National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP).” For more information, please visit the FCC Privacy page: https://www.fcc.gov/privacy.