Initiative Description
The American Samoa Assistive Technologies Program has been working closely with the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) on The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) supports local programs that distribute equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind (have combined hearing and vision loss) to enable access to telephone, advanced communications, and information services. This support was mandated by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) and is provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The collaboration with Helen Keller and the NDBEDP has enabled the American Samoa AT program not only demo equipment, but to purchase equipment with grant funding from the FCC. This collaboration/partnership has expanded ASATS knowledge of AT equipment and made the availability and affordability of equipment possible.