iCanConnect

Purpose

iCanConnect provides free equipment and training for people with both significant hearing and vision loss who meet the program’s disability and income eligibility guidelines. iCanConnect is a national program with local contacts that helps people stay connected to friends, family, and the world.

Oklahoma Contact(s)

Kelley Gutierrez – Program Manager
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
1400 Hoppe Blvd, Ste. A
Ada, OK 74820

Email: kgutierrez@okdrs.gov
Office Phone: 580-310-5301
Cell Phone: 508-447-3083
Fax Number: 5803105353

iCanConnect website

Financial Criteria

Your household must be within 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify for iCanConnect. Visit iCanConnect’s Eligibility webpage to use the Federal Guidelines chart to check your eligibility.

There are two ways to prove income eligibility:

  • Documentation of current enrollment in a federal program with the same income eligibility requirement—such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), federal public housing assistance or Section 8, food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
  • Documentation that all household income is within 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Eligibility

Vision loss is defined by one of the following:

  • 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

Hearing loss is defined by one of the following:

  • Chronic hearing disabilities so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification.
  • Progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to the above condition.

AT Services Provided/Covered

None

AT Devices Provided/Covered

Many types of distance communication equipment can be provided to help people with significant combined hearing and vision loss stay connected to friends, family, and the world. iCanConnect professionals in each local program will work with iCanConnect participants to identify the equipment that addresses each person’s specific needs. Note that equipment recommendations are provided only to iCanConnect program participants as part of the individualized assessment they receive.

Examples of equipment are (but not limited to):

  • Accessories
    • Specialized Keyboards
    • Mounts
    • Switches
    • Headsets
  • Braille Devices
  • Computers
  • Mobile Devices
    • Smartphones
    • Tablets
    • Keybaords
    • Protective cases
    • Note: Excludes the internet or cellular service
  • Phones
    • Amplifies Speaker Phones
    • Related devices that connect to a “landline” telephone
  • Signalers
    • Audible
    • Visual
    • Vibrating
  • Software
    • Screen readers
    • Screen magnifiers

Pieces of the Puzzle

  • iCanConnect is a nationwide network that connects people with local contacts.
  • Local contacts will answer questions and oversee applications.
  • Local contacts provide free equipment and training to participants.

AT Funding Guide Main Page