III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 594 

Designating April 17, 2024, as ‘‘National Assistive Technology Awareness 

Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 19, 2024 

Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. CRAMER) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

APRIL 18, 2024 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating April 17, 2024, as ‘‘National Assistive 

Technology Awareness Day’’. 

Whereas assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, 

or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or 

improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability or an older adult; 

Whereas an assistive technology service is any service that directly assists a person with a disability or an older adult 

in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device; 

Whereas, in 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 4 people in the United States, 

or almost 61,000,000 individuals, has a disability; 


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SRES 594 ATS 

Whereas, during the 2021–2022 school year, the Department 

of Education reported that there were more than 

7,300,000 children with disabilities; 

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, among adults 65 years of age and older, 2 

in 5 have a disability; 

Whereas assistive technology enables people with disabilities 

and older adults to be included in their communities and 

in inclusive classrooms and workplaces; 

Whereas assistive technology devices and services are necessities, not luxury items, for millions of people with disabilities and older adults, without which they would be 

unable to live in their communities, access education, or 

obtain, retain, and advance gainful, competitive, and integrated employment; 

Whereas the availability of assistive technology in the workplace promotes economic self-sufficiency, enhances work 

participation, and is critical to the employment of people 

with disabilities and older adults; and 

Whereas State assistive technology programs support a continuum of services that include— 

(1) the exchange, repair, recycling, and other reutilization of assistive technology devices; 

(2) device loan programs that provide short-term 

loans of assistive technology devices to individuals, employers, public agencies, and others; 

(3) the demonstration of devices to inform decision 

making; and 

(4) State financing to help individuals purchase or 

obtain assistive technology through a variety of initiatives, such as financial loan programs, leasing programs, 


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SRES 594 ATS 

and other financing alternatives that give individuals affordable, flexible options to purchase or obtain assistive 

technology: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates April 17, 2024, as ‘‘National As3 sistive Technology Awareness Day’’; and 

4 (2) commends— 

5 (A) assistive technology specialists and 

6 program coordinators for their hard work and 

7 dedication in serving people with disabilities 

8 who are in need of finding the proper assistive 

9 technology to meet their individual needs; and 

10 (B) professional organizations and re11 searchers dedicated to facilitating the access 

12 and acquisition of assistive technology for peo13 ple with disabilities and older adults in need of 

14 assistive technology devices. 

Æ 


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