“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
The National Deaf‐Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP – also called iCanConnect) is an FCC program that provides up to $10 million annually to support programs that distribute equipment to low‐income individuals who are deaf‐blind, so these individuals have access to communications services and the Internet. Each year, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) announces the allocation of funding among the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories served by the program. On June 28, 2016, CGB released a Public Notice announcing the funding allocations for the 2016‐2017 fund year, which begins on July 1, 2016 and ends on June 30, 2017.
Public Notice Announcing 2016‐2017 Allocations for the NDBEDP:
Recently, the programs certified under the NDBEDP for the states of Florida and Washington informed the FCC that they would not continue participating in the NDBEDP after June 30, 2016. The FCC invited applications for certification for replacement programs in these states, setting a deadline of June 10, 2016. On June 30, 2016, the FCC announced that it selected the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf‐Blind Youth and Adults for certification to participate in the NDBEDP for the state of Florida and the Perkins School for the Blind for certification to participate in the NDBEDP for the state of Washington, both effective July 1, 2016.
Public Notice Announcing New NDBEDP Programs for Florida and Washington:
For further information, contact the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office: Jackie Ellington at 202‐418‐1153 or Jackie.Ellington@fcc.gov; or Rosaline Crawford at 202‐418‐2075 or Rosaline.Crawford@fcc.gov.