For 61-year-old JJ Bacarella of Little Rock, Arkansas, the sudden combination of vision and hearing loss as an adult was a daunting challenge that felt like it was taking him off guard. A former computer science enthusiast by trade, JJ was accustomed to being tech-savvy, but his changing sensory needs made it increasingly difficult to navigate the world. Tasks like checking emails, paying bills online, and even following his favorite baseball and hockey teams became significant hurdles. “I used to stay home a lot,” JJ recalls, noting that he felt locked in the house because he relied on stationary equipment to access information and connect with others.
JJ’s outlook changed once he was referred to iCanConnect through the Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind. iCanConnect is a national program with local contacts in each state and U.S. territory that provides free distance communication equipment and free personalized training to qualified individuals who have significant hearing and vision loss.
After JJ applied and was accepted into the program, he received an in-home assessment from his local iCanConnect contact where they discussed his distance communication needs and goals. Through iCanConnect, JJ received an iPhone and an iPad. While he is an expert using personal computers, mobile devices were a new frontier for him. With dedicated training from iCanConnect, specifically, on how to use VoiceOver, a screen-reading technology, he started to feel more confident, which led to him feeling more independent.
JJ is a knowledge-seeker and enjoys supplementing his learning through online videos and peer-to-peer connections. Through these connections, he befriended a fellow iCanConnect participant in Florida. “It’s a small world!” he laughs. “We use our equipment to stay in touch, trade technology tips, and talk about sports, of course.” Today, JJ uses his devices to manage his daily life with confidence. “The equipment I received through iCanConnect has provided a lot of independence,” he says.
Beyond household tasks, the mobile technology JJ received has given him the freedom to leave his home feeling confident and independent. On his own initiative, he explored specialized navigation and reading apps that allow him to identify nearby businesses and street signs. On a recent trip to the doctor, JJ used an app on his iPhone to have a volunteer read traffic signs after a bus drop-off went off-course, and he even used his device to read medical forms at the office.
While iCanConnect focuses on providing equipment and training for distance communication purposes, the tasks JJ mastered on his new devices opened doors to other areas of his life. Because he learned to navigate his iPhone and iPad, he is now able to independently use third-party apps to go through his email, handle his banking, and pay utility bills. “It’s been a game-changer in so many areas of my life,” JJ says. “This is the stuff that keeps me independent. I’ve been amazed with iCanConnect!”
