Federal Communications Commission DA 25-1073 PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554 News Media Information: 202-418-0500 Internet: www.fcc.gov DA 25-1073 Released: December 17, 2025 FCC CERTIFIES HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER TO ADMINISTER THE NATIONAL DEAFBLIND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOR ALASKA CG Docket No. 10-210 By this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announces the selection of the Helen Keller National Center for Deafblind Youths and Adults (Helen Keller National Center) for certification to administer the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called “iCanConnect,” for the state of Alaska. On November 20, 2025, CGB released a Public Notice inviting applications from entities interested in being certified to distribute equipment under the NDBEDP to eligible individuals in the state of Alaska. FCC Revokes Certification of Assistive Technology of Alaska and Invites Applications for the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program for the State of Alaska, Public Notice, DA 25-969 (CGB November 20, 2025) (Alaska Application Public Notice) (summarizing the qualifications for obtaining certification to participate in the NDBEDP), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-969A1.pdf. On May 17, 2022, CGB certified Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) to distribute equipment under the NDBEDP for Alaska for a period of five years, from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027. See Commission Announces Entities Certified to Participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, Public Notice, DA 22-541 (CGB 2022) (including Alaska), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-541A1.docx. On November 20, 2025, the Commission announced that the certification of ATLA to administer the NDBEDP for Alaska will be revoked 30 days after the date of the Public Notice. Alaska Application Public Notice, n.2. Because 30 days from November 20, 2025, falls on a Saturday, the effective date of the revocation of the ATLA certification is December 22, 2025. In this Notice, we use the term “deafblind” unless the term “deaf-blind” appears in statutory or regulatory language or in quotations. In response to the Public Notice, CGB received a complete application from the Helen Keller National Center. Application of Helen Keller National Center (submitted Dec. 4, 2025). Following review of this application, CGB has determined that Helen Keller National Center meets the criteria set out in the Commission’s rules to be certified under the NDBEDP. The Commission’s rules specify the following certification criteria: (1) “[e]xpertise in the field of deaf-blindness, including familiarity with the culture and etiquette of individuals who are deaf-blind”; (2) “[t]he ability to communicate effectively with individuals who are deaf-blind,” including by using assistive technologies; (3) administrative and financial management experience; (4) staffing that is “sufficient to administer the program, including the ability to distribute equipment and provide related services to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind throughout the state”; (5) “[e]xperience with the distribution of specialized customer premises equipment, especially to individuals who are deaf-blind”; (6) experience in training consumers how to set up and use equipment to access covered services; and (7) familiarity with covered services. 47 CFR § 64.6207(c)(1)-(7). As evidenced in its application, Helen Keller National Center has demonstrated extensive experience in providing accessible services in a manner that shows expert knowledge of the deafblind community; in-depth experience working with individuals who are deafblind; considerable expertise in the communications technology used by individuals who are deafblind; the administrative and financial management capability to manage state programs under the NDBEDP; sufficient staffing to manage the state program; and a strong familiarity with the Commission’s rules governing this program. 47 CFR § 64.6207(c). Furthermore, as the NDBEDP-certified program for Alaska, Helen Keller National Center has indicated a commitment to work in partnership with local agencies to meet the needs of the deafblind population throughout Alaska. Helen Keller National Center is certified to provide NDBEDP services in eight other states. Accordingly, CGB certifies Helen Keller National Center as the authorized entity to distribute equipment and provide related services under the NDBEDP in Alaska, effective December 22, 2025, through June 30, 2027. See 47 CFR § 64.6207(e) (providing that, when a certified program is replaced prior to the expiration of its certification period, the successor entity's certification will expire on the date that the replaced entity's certification would have expired). Helen Keller National Center will have full responsibility for distributing equipment and providing related services in the state, including outreach, assessments, installation, and training, either directly or through collaboration, partnership, or contract with other individuals or entities in-state or out-of-state, including other NDBEDP certified programs. See 47 CFR § 64.6207. Helen Keller National Center must comply with the Commission’s NDBEDP rules pertaining to its participation in this program, 47 CFR §§ 64.6201-64.6219; Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Section 105, Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, Report and Order, 31 FCC Rcd 9178 (2016) (NDBEDP Permanent Program Order). including transitional requirements to ensure the continuation of NDBEDP operations in Alaska if its certification is relinquished, terminated, or not renewed. NDBEDP Permanent Program Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 9197, paras. 44-45; see also 47 CFR § 64.6207(j)(1)-(3). ACCESSIBLE FORMATS: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Jackie Ellington, Administrator, National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-1153 or NDBEDP@fcc.gov. 2