On June 13, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights will host an educational webinar called “Internet for All: The Affordable Connectivity Program and the Need for Digital Connectivity.” Attendees will hear from experts on the importance of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which aims to connect all people in the U.S. to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.

• What: Internet for All: The Affordable Connectivity Program and the Need for Digital Connectivity
• When: Monday, June 13 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern Time
• RSVP: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MlNRKPNfRcCSpe1WsNv40Q

White House Announcement on Providing Affordable Access to Broadband

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THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM (ACP)

President Biden and Vice President Harris worked with Democrats and Republicans to create the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—the largest high-speed internet affordability program in our nation’s history. Experts estimate that 48 million households—or nearly 40% of households in the country—qualify for the ACP either because their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, or because a member of the household meets one of the other criteria below.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a program that helps low-income households afford internet services and devices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• See also: What qualifies as a household?

Households that are eligible can receive:

• One discount up to $50/month on broadband service and related equipment (up to a $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands)
• A one-time discount up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer

The program is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has a website with information about the program. This website also has information about eligibility, how to apply, and how to find a local provider.

This is an important program, so please help us spread the word! If you work at a Center for Independent Living (CIL) or another organization that serves disabled people, please share this alert.

Yesterday the FCC announced that eligible households can begin applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit on May 12, 2021. Read the announcement (PDF). 

The Emergency Broadband Program will provide a monthly discount toward broadband service for eligible households and one-time discounts for the purchase of certain devices from participating providers. The COVID-19 package passed in December required the FCC to develop this program to help struggling households pay for internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a result of the COVID-19 relief package passed in December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is developing a program to provide relief to households struggling to pay for internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is called the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and will provide a monthly discount toward broadband service for eligible households and one-time discounts for the purchase of certain devices from participating providers.

The FCC has a new website with information about the program at fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. As the program is developed, the website will continue to be updated with the latest resources and information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit. As part of the effort to inform people about this new benefit, the FCC is looking for stakeholders to sign up to promote the program. If you and your organization are interested, you can sign up to become an Outreach Partner on the website.

Last week, Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel convened a virtual roundtable discussion to gather input on how to structure the new Emergency Broadband program. View information about that roundtable.

If you would like more information about the Emergency Broadband Program, you can contact the FCC at [email protected] or visit fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. For those who use American Sign Language, you may call the FCC Consumer ASL Line at 844-432-2275. 

• September 24 to 25, 2019
• Monroeville Convention Center; Monroeville, PA
• Register online at ATMakersFair.com

Keynote Presentation: “Making AT Around the Country” By Brady Fulton, AT Nomad

Nationally renowned expert Brady Fulton will talk about the potential for making custom assistive technology across the United States.

The call for presenters at the second national Assistive Technology (AT) Makers’ Fair Conference and Expo is now open.

To find out more about this event and to submit your presentation, please visit www.atmakersfair.com or read more about the event in our recent article by John Flaherty, Assistive Technology Specialist at Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL). You can also see examples of presenters who participated last year.

By John Flaherty, Assistive Technology Specialist, Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL)

This coming September 24-25, Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL) is hosting the second national Assistive Technology (AT) Makers’ Fair: Making AT for All Conference & Expo in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

TRPIL serves Washington, Fayette and Greene counties in Pennsylvania. We are also the home of the Assistive Technology Resource Center as part of the state AT Act program in Pennsylvania (TechOwl), which has the stated goals of providing public awareness, access, outreach and technical service / training activities. I also work with Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) to provide information about financing options for assistive technology. Additionally, I’ve been a member of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) for several years.

The staff at TRPIL and I are working with local, state and national partners to bring this event to the Pittsburgh area, but we need your help. If you would be willing to share this information it would be greatly appreciated. You can see some of what we did at last year’s event on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ATMakersNH, and you can register at www.atmakersfair.com. The call for presentations is now open, and we can’t wait to see the latest innovations!

Makers Making Dreams Come True

Attention all tinkerers, inventors, and creators of contraptions, gizmos, and gadgets! Come share your ideas and show off your prototypes!

Makers are changing the world and giving individuals with disabilities the tools they need to stay or grow more independent. Come exhibit your invention at the Assistive Technology Invention Contest during the AT Makers’ Fair and compete to be the 2019 AT Maker of the Year. Fair attendees will vote on the inventions, and the top three makers will be awarded prizes. All levels of experience are welcome.

Register today! Visit www.atmakersfair.com.

Every day, we hear about new assistive technology (AT) that can help us do almost magical things – from being able to hear or see when we couldn’t before, communicate with our friends when we couldn’t speak or write before, enjoy new recreational activities when we couldn’t use our arms or legs before, or control our environment when all we could control was our voice before. These devices are “cool” and many of us want them.

How can you find out about these devices? All states and territories have a state AT program. These programs are charged with telling the residents in their state about AT devices by providing demonstrations, equipment lending libraries, and reuse programs. After you figure out what AT devices you want, the state AT program may be able to help you find a way to pay for them. The Program should also refer you to your state’s Alternative Financing Program (AFP). Many states have an AFP – a program that provides low-interest or no-interest loans for people with disabilities and their families for the purchase of assistive technology.  [Read more…]