iCanConnect - Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 2:24 PM
A Practical Guide to iCanConnect for Caregivers and Family Members
Supporting someone with combined vision and hearing loss often involves navigating challenges that go far beyond typical caregiving responsibilities. Communication, access to information, and connection to essential services can become difficult without the right tools and support. iCanConnect is a national program designed to help address these...
iCanConnect - Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 2:24 PM
A Practical Guide to iCanConnect for Caregivers and Family Members
Supporting someone with combined vision and hearing loss often involves navigating challenges that go far beyond typical caregiving responsibilities. Communication, access to information, and connection to essential services can become difficult
without the right tools and support. iCanConnect is a national program designed to help address these challenges by providing eligible individuals with accessible communication technology and personalized training at no cost. This guide is written specifically
for caregivers and family members who want to better understand how iCanConnect works and how they can support someone through the process.
Understanding What iCanConnect Is
iCanConnect for caregivers is a program created to help people who have significant combined hearing and vision loss access communication technology that supports everyday connection and independence. The program focuses on distance communication, meaning tools that allow individuals to communicate with others, access information online, and participate more fully in daily life. This may include communicating with family members, healthcare providers, service agencies, employers, or community organizations.
iCanConnect provides equipment that is selected based on an individual’s specific communication needs, abilities, and goals. Just as important as the equipment itself is the training that accompanies it. Participants receive instruction so they can learn how to use the technology effectively and confidently.
Who iCanConnect Is Designed to Help
The program is intended for individuals who have both hearing loss and vision loss that together create a significant barrier to communication. This includes people who are born with combined sensory loss as well as those who experience progressive conditions later in life. There is no age restriction; adults, seniors, and transition-age individuals may all be eligible if they meet the program’s requirements.
Eligibility also includes income guidelines, which are designed to ensure that the program serves individuals and families who may not otherwise be able to afford specialized communication technology. Because of these requirements, caregivers often play a key role in helping gather documentation, explain financial eligibility, and support the application process.
The Role of Caregivers and Family Members
Caregivers and family members are often essential to a participant’s success with iCanConnect. While the program centers the individual receiving services, caregivers frequently assist with communication, organization, and follow-through.
One of the most important roles caregivers play is helping someone understand that the program exists and what it offers. Many people who are deafblind or who have combined hearing and vision loss are not aware that specialized communication support programs are available. Caregivers can help explain the purpose of iCanConnect in clear, straightforward language and help connect the individual with local program staff.
Caregivers may also help with the application process, which can involve gathering medical or professional verification of hearing and vision loss and providing income documentation. While local iCanConnect programs guide applicants through each step, having an extra set of hands and eyes can reduce stress and prevent delays.
How the Application Process Works
The iCanConnect process begins by contacting the local program serving the participant’s state or territory. Each local program manages applications, assessments, equipment distribution, and training. After initial contact, the applicant is guided through the required paperwork and documentation.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the participant takes part in an assessment. This assessment is not a test and is not meant to judge ability. Instead, it is a collaborative conversation focused on how the individual currently communicates, what challenges they face, and what goals they have for staying connected. Caregivers can often participate in this process with the individual’s permission, providing insight into daily routines and communication barriers.
Following the assessment, the local program identifies appropriate communication equipment.. Equipment is provided only after eligibility is confirmed and needs are clearly identified. Once the participant receives their equipment, training is scheduled.
Types of Equipment and Technology Provided
iCanConnect focuses specifically on distance communication tools rather than general consumer electronics. The equipment provided varies from person to person and is determined through the assessment process.
Equipment may include accessible smartphones or tablets that support voice, text, video communication, and internet access using built-in or specialized accessibility features. Some participants receive computers configured with screen readers, screen magnification software, or other assistive programs that allow them to read, write, and navigate digital content.
For individuals who use braille, refreshable braille displays or other tactile tools may be provided. Accessories such as specialized keyboards, switches, mounts, or alerting devices may also be included when they support communication needs. In all cases, equipment is selected to match the participant’s abilities and preferences.
The Importance of Training and Ongoing Support
Training is a core part of the iCanConnect program. Technology alone is rarely helpful without proper instruction, especially for individuals who are adapting to sensory changes or learning new tools later in life. Training may take place in person or remotely and often occurs over multiple sessions to allow time for learning and practice.
Caregivers can support training by attending sessions when appropriate, helping reinforce skills between sessions, and encouraging regular use of the technology. It is important, however, to strike a balance between offering help and allowing the individual to build independence. The goal of iCanConnect is not to create reliance on caregivers but to empower participants to communicate on their own terms.
What iCanConnect Does Not Provide
Understanding the boundaries of the program helps set realistic expectations. The program does not provide general technical support unrelated to communication or replace other disability services.
Why the Program Matters
Access to communication affects nearly every aspect of life. For individuals with combined hearing and vision loss, appropriate technology can reduce isolation and support independence. Caregivers and family members often play a crucial role in making that access possible by helping navigate the process and supporting long-term use.
A Real-World Example of How iCanConnect Supports Independence
One example of how iCanConnect can support independence comes from Armitcher “Mitch” Delaney, a Washington, D.C. resident who spent 50 years working at the IRS while managing hearing loss and very low vision. During her career, Mitch relied on assistive technology provided through her workplace. When she retired, she lost access to that technology and found herself unexpectedly disconnected. “When I left the office, I literally left the office,” Mitch explained. “No equipment, no technology. Nothing I had was up-to-date.” With only an old flip phone and limited access to communication tools, she began to feel isolated despite having been highly independent her entire life.
After applying to iCanConnect with support from her daughters, Mitch received an individualized assessment, accessible communication equipment, and one-on-one training. She emphasizes that the training was just as important as the technology itself. Working closely with her trainer helped her adapt tools to her specific needs and build confidence using them independently. “It was like a new world opened to me,” she said. Today, Mitch uses her equipment to stay connected with family and her community, manage daily tasks, and continue her work as an ordained minister. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “There’s nothing like knowing what to do without assistance, and if I need help, I can ask for it. I’m still learning and excited for what comes next.”
Final Thoughts for Caregivers and Families
iCanConnect is a needs-based program designed to support communication, not a quick or one-size-fits-all solution. The most successful experiences occur when the individual receiving services is actively involved, caregivers provide support, and training is treated as an essential part of the process. By helping someone access the right tools and learn how to use them, caregivers and family members contribute to greater connection, confidence, and participation in everyday life.
To learn more about eligibility or begin the application process, visit the How to Apply page. From there, you can select your state to access step-by-step application instructions, available resources, and contact information for your local iCanConnect program.
Phone number to call iCanConnect: 800-825-4595Or visit our Contact Us page:
https://www.icanconnect.org/contact-us/
https://www.icanconnect.org/icanconnect-for-caregivers-and-family-members/
David Goldfield,
Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist
If you need help using your assistive technology learn about my training services by visiting
Am Yisrael Chai
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