ANNOUNCEMENT

The EAD-GAP Program
An equipment and assistive devices program, for British Columbians’, who are Deaf, Deafened, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing.

The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with a one-time grant from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA), is piloting an assistive devices program for residents of British Columbia.

The short-term program will provide free low-tech devices, which can:

• Enhance your ability to communicate on the telephone; such as an amplified telephone
• Increase your independence and safety; such as visual alerting and alarm devices for the home and/or workplace
• Increase your ability to listen in the home environment; such as assistive listening devices for the TV
• Increase your ability to hear one-on-one with personal listening devices; such as the PocketTalker (hearing aids are not available through this program)
  

Start Date

The EAD-GAP program starts on June 1st, 2008. WIDHH will accept applications and will start to process applications on June 1st.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the pilot program you must:

• Be a resident of British Columbia, and;
• Be Deaf, Deafened, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing, and require the use of an assistive device to meet a functional goal, and;
• Be able to identify a functional goal you would like to achieve.

Please return your application to WIDHH as quickly as possible, as the funding is limited. When we receive your application, WIDHH will contact you to confirm the application and answer any questions. Once your application has been processed, WIDHH staff will make an appointment to arrange for the equipment you need.

WIDHH is committed to provide as many people with equipment or devices. As there is limited funding people will be limited to receive equipment to meet one goal only.

If you are interested in participating in the program, please fill out and return the application form to the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

For application details please contact (after June 1st, 2008):
Voice: 604-736-5851
Voice toll-free: 1-888-736-5851
TTY: 604-736-5819
Fax: 604-736-4381
E-mail: eadgap@widhh.com