For 50 years, Armitcher “Mitch” Delaney was a dedicated employee at the IRS, where she used assistive technology to manage her work despite having hearing loss and very low vision. She relied on a system that worked for her, using her limited vision to navigate her computer screen up close with a mouse. But when she retired, she left that system, and most of her technology, behind. Mitch, an incredibly independent woman, suddenly felt disconnected. Her only device was an old flip phone she rarely used.
“When I left the office, I literally left the office,” Mitch says. “No equipment, no technology. Nothing I had was up-to-date.”
During a meeting with her rehabilitative services counselor, she expressed her frustration about feeling isolated. Her counselor suggested she apply to iCanConnect, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. iCanConnect provides free technology and training for people with significant combined hearing loss and who meet the program’s eligibility guidelines. With the help of her two daughters, Danita and Joyce, Mitch applied and was accepted into the program.
Once she was accepted, Mitch met with her local iCanConnect representative and received an individualized assessment of her distance communication needs and goals. Through iCanConnect, Mitch received a Windows laptop, a JAWS screen reader, and an iPhone. But receiving the equipment was only half the equation. The key to getting Mitch reconnected was the training, and being a lifelong learner, she was eager to get started.
Mitch and her iCanConnect trainer, Harris Rosensweig, met for one-on-one training sessions. Mitch refers to these sessions as “going to school” and speaks of how important Harris has become to her and her family. “He’s more than an instructor. Harris is a coach and a motivator,” she shares. “He’s become my family.”
Harris saw her journey as a testament to what’s possible with the right tools and support. “Mitch was like a sponge, applying herself diligently,” Harris says. “It was a pleasure to witness her journey from beginning to end, supported by her family.”
Harris helped Mitch bridge the gap between her existing skills and the new technology. Because her eyes would strain from prolonged use, he focused on teaching her how to incorporate audio commands with tactile feedback, making her use of technology less physically demanding. Mitch, who can type 125 words a minute, found a new rhythm using her full keyboard with the JAWS commands Harris helped customize for her. “All I can say is, ‘It works!’” she exclaims.
Beyond the technical skills, Mitch credits Harris with helping her feel empowered. “It was like a new world opened to me,” she says. “Harris did that.”
Today, Mitch is an ordained minister who coordinates workshops and facilitates community service projects. She relies on her new equipment to communicate with her family, friends, and the broader community. The laptop and iPhone allow her to check her email, stay connected, and get things done on her own.
“There’s nothing like knowing what to do without assistance, and if I need help, I can ask for it,” she says. “I’m still learning and excited for what comes next!”
Mitch uses her story to encourage others to embrace change and ask for help when needed. “The first step to your independence is here,” she says. “Acknowledge you need help. You need motivation. That’s how you turn a ‘can’t’ into a ‘can.’”
She sums up her experience with iCanConnect by sharing, “When you open a door and discover that what’s behind that door is going to be a blessing to you, you go for it. I’m still in amazement. I’m enjoying connecting with my family, friends, and community again.”
