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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 20, 2014
CONTACT: Patrick Baker, DHS communications officer, (605) 773-5990 or patrick.baker@state.sd.us
Communications Program Changing Lives of South Dakotans with Hearing, Vision Loss
PIERRE, S.D. – Modern communications technology delivered through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) is helping people with limited hearing and vision connect with their family, friends and neighbors in South Dakota and beyond.
Promoted as iCanConnect nationally, the program assesses the needs of deaf-blind consumers and provides them with a wide range of distance communications technology. The devices are free for those who qualify.
Ted Carrell has been blind since he was a child and works as a trainer for South Dakota’s equipment-distribution program. He travels to people’s homes to teach them how to use the smartphone, laptop or assistive technology they receive. Many people with limited hearing and vision have little or no experience using such technology.
“The benefit of the program is to be able to communicate with your family and friends,” Carrell said.
Seth Sims and Gayle Aamold are two of the South Dakotans Carrell has trained. They agree the technology gives them a new level of self-sufficiency.
Aamold, a 72-year-old grandmother from Hartford, was struggling to use an old computer to communicate with her children and grandchildren online. She received a new laptop with a 17-inch screen, which allows her to access e-mail, Facebook and Skype despite her limited vision.
“It gives me the independence I need so that I don’t have to call on someone,” Aamold said. “I check my e-mails. I use it with friends and family. I use it for shopping. It’s a big part of it.”
Seth Sims of Sioux Falls is using his new BrailleNote to store phone numbers, access e-mail and surf the web. Sims is blind and has deteriorating hearing. The BrailleNote device enables him to access information when he needs it and connect with people on his terms.
“Hopefully, it will keep me communicating and in contact with people when I do lose my hearing,” Sims said.
The S.D. Department of Human Services administers NDBEDP/iCanConnect for the state, and Cabinet Secretary Gloria Pearson said, “We are pleased to be able to offer this program to help address the telecommunications barriers and the isolation experienced daily by individuals with both hearing and vision loss.”
More information is available online and by telephone: South Dakota’s NDBEDP program, (605) 773-3195; NDBEDP; iCanConnect, (800) 825-4595 voice or (888) 320-2656 TTY.
About DHS
The South Dakota Department of Human Services’ mission is to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities, in partnership with its stakeholders, through the programs and services offered by its divisions. Learn more by visiting the department’s website, dhs.sd.gov, and viewing the DHS Strategic Plan.
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