Staying connected has never been easier

Sending an email or chatting on the phone can be a challenge for people with both significant vision and hearing loss. iCanConnect provides free equipment including smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, braille displays, and more to people who meet federal disability and income guidelines.

Each person receives an individual assessment to determine the best equipment solutions.

iCanConnect serves people from a wide range of backgrounds, including older people who have lost vision and hearing later in life, and people with Usher and CHARGE Syndromes.

Hear what Bob has to say about iCanConnect

See if you qualify

To be eligible for iCanConnect, you must have both significant vision and hearing loss, and meet the programs’ 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 not 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 to the above condition

A professional must attest to your hearing and vision loss in writing. Examples of professionals include:

  • a community service provider
  • educator
  • healthcare provider
  • vision or hearing professional
  • vocational rehabilitation counselor
  • educator
  • medical or health professional

iCanConnect Income Guidelines

To qualify for iCanConnect, you must also meet the program’s household income guidelines

  • Your household income is within 400 percent of the federal poverty level (see household income chart below)
  • You are automatically income eligible if you can provide documentation that you are currently enrolled in a federal program with an income eligibility requirement that does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Examples of these federal programs include Medicaid; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); federal public housing assistance or Section 8; food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. Otherwise, you must provide proof of all household income that does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

To participate in the program, your household income must not exceed 400% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Number of Persons in
Family/Household
400% for everywhere,
except Alaska and Hawaii
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 $20,560

Is this program for me

If you are a person who has combined vision and hearing loss, and you cannot afford communications technology that enables you to use a telephone, send an email, access the Internet, or use other communications technology, you may be eligible for this program.

Download an application from the bottom of this page, contact Access Technologies, Inc. by phone 503.361.1201 or by email info@accesstechnologiesinc.org to request an application.

Then, identify a professional who can attest to your condition in writing. It can be an educator, healthcare provider, vision or hearing professional, speech pathologist, vocational rehabilitation counselor, and more.

Submit your completed application to Access Technologies, Inc. at 2225 Lancaster Drive NE; Salem, OR 97305. Then an Assistive Technology Specialist will schedule an assessment to determine what equipment will best suit you communication preferences and distance communication goals. Then your equipment will be installed, and training will begin.