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Beyond Care… Support & Services
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iCanConnect – Federally funded nationwide program with local contacts to help people stay connected with friends, family, their community, and the world. iCanConnect provides free equipment and training to people with both significant vision and hearing loss who meet disability and income guidelines.
 

Vision loss is defined by one of the following 

  • 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 no greater than 20 degrees
  • Progressive visual loss with a prognosis leading to one or both of above conditions
     

Hearing loss is defined by one of the following 

  • Chronic hearing disabilities so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification
  • Progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to above condition
     

Indiana contractor for iCanConnect – Easter Seals Crossroads 

In Indiana, Perkins School for the Blind is responsible for iCanConnect, and works with Easter Seals Crossroads and others to provide in-state service. Contact Belva Smith with questions about applying in Indiana, and download an application. 

People eligible for iCanConnect receive an assessment to identify solutions to support their distance communication goals. Then, participants are provided equipment and training that meets their needs. Examples include smartphones, tablets, computers, and braille devices. 

See how iCanConnect is helping people with both significant vision and hearing loss to stay connected:  

For general iCanConnect questions, contact Laura Vaughan, Perkins School for the Blind, at 617.972.7619. 

Belva Smith 

Easter Seals Crossroads 

4740 Kingsway Drive 

Indianapolis, Indiana 46205 

[email protected] 

Phone: (317) 466-2001 x2110 

Fax: (317) 466-2000 

iCanConnect Hearing and Vision Impaired Application Resources 

https://www.icanconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IN-Consumer-Application-English-Standard-Print-1-19-2022.doc 

https://www.icanconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IN-Consumer-Application-English-Large-Print-1-19-2022.doc 

https://www.icanconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IN-Consumer-Application-Spanish-Standard-Print-1-19-2022.doc

https://www.icanconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IN-Consumer-Application-Spanish-Large-Print-1-19-2022.doc 

 

Blind & Visually Impaired Services (BVIS) through FSSA 

BVIS provides services to eligible Hoosiers that are blind or visually impaired. 

For information regarding Blind and Visually Impaired Services contact staff at:[email protected]or at 877-241-8144. 

 

 Older Independent Blind Program 

TheOlder Independent Blind/Visually Impaired Programexpands independent living services for people who are age 55 and older, and have a severe visual impairment. Through a grant from the Department of Education, Older Blind Program, Indiana Blind and Visually Impaired Services provide funding to contractors across the state in order to provide in-home independent living training to older individuals with significant vision loss. 

 

Click herefor a listing of OIB providers by county. 

 

For information regarding the Older Independent Blind/Visually Impaired Program please contact the OIB program director at[email protected]or 877-241-8144 

Area Agencies on Aging 

Add link and content from FSSA: Aging Home: Area Agencies on Aging  

Add Map to info (indicated on website) 

Older Americans Act/Family Caregiver Support  

Add link and content FSSA: Aging Home: Older Americans Act/ Family Caregiver Support  

INconnect Alliance  

The INconnect Alliance is comprised of fifteen Aging and Disability Resource Centers, serving sixteen areas, throughout Indiana. We are committed to helping you find the information and resources you need as you navigate the complex care puzzle and system of long-term services and support. Our goal is to put knowledge at your fingertips. The more you know, the better decisions you can make for yourself or someone you care about. 

Please call 800-713-9023, or type in the city/town or click on the map to find the appropriate resource: 

INconnect Resources include:  

  • Senior Meals and Nutrition
  • Senior Care Planning Resource Videos – help plan ahead for the best care possible
  • Caregiver Resources (self-care, emotional support, finding peer caregiver support groups, planning for in-home or long-term care), 
  • TCARE – Caregiver Assessment to identify the symptoms of burnout and find solutions, along with additional education and helpful resources (blogs, groups, etc.) 
  • Transportation for medical appts, pharmacies, and grocery stores
  • Home accessibility modifications (ramps, handrails, etc.) 

Care Indiana  

A resource of all available government and private services for eldercare and eldercare support.  Indiana Caregiver Resources (careindiana.org) 

Alzheimer’s Association 

  • You can connect with a live person at the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 by calling their support number at 800.272.3900.
  • Connect with others who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s through free support groups, online message boards and forums, education programs, and blog posts at  https://bit.ly/3hF5j4P
  • As Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia progress, your loved one’s behaviors may change. Behavior change can be hard to handle, but here are some resources to guide you through each stage of the disease:  https://bit.ly/2zHrjLx

American Cancer Society 

  • Cancer Information Specialists are available 24/7 to answer your question about:
  • Specific cancers and coping with cancer
  • Treatment options and side effects
  • Medicines and pain control
  • Clinical trials
  • Prevention and screening
  • Quitting tobacco
  • There are many local and national resources available to cancer patients that they can refer you to including: patient services, support groups, social services, medical equipment, wigs and prostheses, transportation, lodging, and financial programs. Call  1-800-227-2345 or visit  https://bit.ly/2N3QkU6 

Cancer Support Community 

  • Connect with English and Spanish-speaking counselors and resource specialists available to chat with you and support you (M-F 9 am – 9 pm) by calling 1-888-793-9355 or visiting  https://bit.ly/3d9V5Gj

Accessibility 

 Suicide Prevention 

  • For suicide prevention services, hotlines, and general information, please click here
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255

Telehealth Visits  

Feeling sick or need medical advice and need to speak with a doctor? 

‍To speak to a doctor now, click here. This service is available to you and your patient 24/7 at no cost!