‘‘(3) Developing and implementing strategies
designed to enhance the long-term abilities of indi-
viduals with disabilities and their family members,
guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives
to successfully advocate for assistive technology to
which the individuals with disabilities are entitled
under law.
‘‘(4) Coordination with protection and advocacy
services funded through sources other than this Act.
‘‘(d) PUBLIC COMMENT.—
‘‘(1) HEARING.—An organization that is award-
ed a contract to provide protection and advocacy
services pursuant to section 101(b)(4) shall, during
the period described in paragraph (2), conduct a
hearing for public comment from interested persons
to ascertain the extent to which the State that
awarded the contract to the organization is making
significant progress, under the grant that is effective
at the time of the hearing, in developing and imple-
menting a consumer-responsive, consumer-driven,
comprehensive statewide program of technology-re-
lated assistance.
‘‘(2) DATE OF HEARING.—The hearing required
under paragraph (1) shall be conducted within the
6-month period ending on the date of the termi-
nation of a grant received under section 103, or
within the 6-month period ending on the date that
is 24 months after the date on which a grant under
section 104 commenced, whichever is applicable to
the State that awarded the contract to the organiza-
tion.
‘‘(3) REPORT.—An organization referred to in
paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary a report
summarizing the public comments received at a
hearing conducted under the paragraph within the
6-month period beginning on the date the hearing is
concluded.’’.
SEC. 106. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
Section 106 of the Technology-Related Assistance for
Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C.
2215) (as redesignated by section 104) is amended—
(1) in clause (ii) of subsection (a)(2)(B), by
striking ‘‘GS-18 of the General Schedule under sec-
tion 5332 of title 5,’’ and inserting ‘‘level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5,’’;
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (g);
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the follow-
ing:
‘‘(c) REDESIGNATION OF LEAD AGENCY.—
‘‘(1) MONITORING PANEL.—Once a State be-
comes subject to a corrective action plan pursuant to
subsection (b), the Governor of the State, subject to
approval by the Secretary, shall appoint within 30
days a monitoring panel consisting of the following
representatives:
‘‘(A) The head of the lead agency des-
ignated by the Governor.
‘‘(B) 2 representatives from different pub-
lic or private nonprofit organizations that rep-
resent the interests of individuals with disabil-
ities.
‘‘(C) 2 consumers who are users of
assistive technology devices and services and
who are not—
‘‘(i) members of the advisory council
of the program; or
‘‘(ii) employees of the State lead agen-
cy.
‘‘(D) 2 service providers with knowledge
and expertise in assistive technology devices and
services.
The monitoring panel shall be ethnically diverse and
shall choose its own chairperson. The panel shall re-
ceive periodic reports from the State regarding
progress in implementing the corrective action plan
and shall have the authority to request additional in-
formation necessary to determine compliance. The
meetings of the panel to determine compliance shall
be open to the public (subject to confidentiality con-
cerns) and held at locations that are accessible to in-
dividuals with disabilities. The panel shall remain
active for the entire period of the corrective action
plan, as determined by the Secretary. The panel
shall be funded by a portion of the funds received
by the State under this title, as directed by the Sec-
retary.
‘‘(2) 
FAILURE
TO
APPOINT
MONITORING
PANEL.—A failure by a Governor of a State to com-
ply with the requirements of paragraph (1) shall re-
sult in the complete loss of funding under this title,
until redesignation pursuant to the process estab-
lished in paragraph (4).
‘‘(3) DETERMINATION.—Based on its findings,
a monitoring panel may determine that a lead agen-
cy designated by a Governor has not met the pur-
poses established in section 2(b)(1) and that there is
good cause for redesignation and the temporary loss
of funds under this title. In this paragraph, the term
‘good cause’ includes—
‘‘(A) lack of progress with employment of
qualified staff;
‘‘(B) 
lack 
of 
consumer-responsive,
consumer-driven activities;
‘‘(C) lack of resource allocation to systems
change activities;
‘‘(D) lack of progress with meeting the as-
surances in section 102(d); or
‘‘(E) inadequate fiscal management.
If a monitoring panel makes such a determination,
it shall recommend to the Secretary that further re-
medial action be taken or that the Secretary order
the Governor to hold an open competition pursuant
to paragraph (4). The Secretary, based on the find-
ings and recommendations of the monitoring panel,
shall make a final determination with respect to the
lead agency designation under this title.
‘‘(4) NEW STATE COMPETITION.—In the event
that a State loses funding under this title pursuant
to paragraph (2) or (3), the Governor of the State
shall hold an open competition within the State and
issue a request for proposals within 30 days for
agency redesignation. Such competition shall be open
to State agencies, public and private nonprofit orga-
nizations, consortia of such organizations, or institu-
tions of higher education. The competition shall en-
sure public involvement, including a public hearing
and adequate opportunity for public comment. The
Secretary shall have final approval of the agency or
organization designated after such competition.
‘‘(d) REDESIGNATION OF PROTECTION AND ADVO-
CACY SERVICES.—If the Secretary determines that signifi-
cant progress has not been achieved by an organization
that is awarded a contract to provide protection and advo-
cacy services for a State pursuant to section 101(b)(4),
the Secretary shall consult with the Governor of such
State in a timely manner. After such consultation, if it
is determined that remedial action is not appropriate, the
Governor shall hold an open competition within the State
and issue a request for proposals within 30 days for agen-
cy redesignation. Such competition shall be open to enti-
ties with the same expertise and ability to provide legal
services as an organization referred to in section
101(b)(4). The competition shall ensure public involve-
ment, including a public hearing and adequate opportunity
for public comment.
‘‘(e) ANNUAL REPORT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall pub-
lish, by December 31 of each year, an annual report
to the President and to the Congress on the activi-
ties funded under this Act and other Federal initia-
tives to improve the access of individuals with dis-
abilities to assistive technology devices and services.
The report shall address the following:
‘‘(A) Demonstrated successes at the Fed-
eral and State levels in improving interagency
coordination, streamlining access to funding,
and producing beneficial outcomes for users of
assistive technology.
‘‘(B) Demonstrated successes in promoting
funding access in existing public programs and
establishing new funding options.
‘‘(C) 
Activities 
targeted 
to 
reach
underrepresented populations and rural popu-
lations.
‘‘(D) Consumer involvement activities in
the State programs.
‘‘(E) Education and training activities to
promote awareness of available funding in pub-
lic programs.
‘‘(F) Efforts made to educate and train in-
dividuals with disabilities and their family mem-
bers, guardians, advocates, and authorized rep-
resentatives, representatives of public agencies
and private entities that have contact with indi-
viduals with disabilities (including insurers),
teachers and related services personnel, tech-
nology experts (including engineers), employers,
and other appropriate individuals about tech-
nology-related assistance.
‘‘(G) Research activities undertaken to im-
prove the understanding of the cost-benefit
ratio resulting from the use of assistive tech-
nology for individuals of all ages and with vary-
ing disabilities.
‘‘(2) REPORT ON AVAILABILITY.—As soon as
practicable, but not later than January 1, 1996, the
Secretary shall include in the annual report required
by this section a report on the availability of
assistive technology devices and services for individ-
uals with disabilities based on the national classifica-
tion system developed under section 201.
‘‘(f) 
INTERAGENCY
DISABILITY
COORDINATING
COUNCIL.—On or before October 1, 1995, the Interagency
Disability Coordinating Council established under section
507 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d)
shall prepare and submit to the President and to the Con-
gress a report of—
‘‘(1) the response of the Interagency Disability
Coordinating Council to the findings and rec-
ommendations of the National Council on Disability
(established under section 400 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 780)) that were included in
the Study on the Financing of Assistive Technology
Devices and Services for Individuals with Disabilities
of the National Council on Disability; and
‘‘(2) activities of the Interagency Disability Co-
ordinating Council that facilitate the accomplish-
ment of section 2(b)(2) with respect to the Federal
Government.
The report shall include any comments submitted by the
National Council on Disability to the Interagency Disabil-
ity Coordinating Council that pertain to paragraph (1) or
(2).’’; and
(4) by amending subsection (g) (as redesignated
by paragraph (2)) to read as follows:
‘‘(g) EFFECT ON OTHER ASSISTANCE.—This title
may not be construed as authorizing a State or a Federal
agency to reduce medical or other assistance available or
to alter eligibility under any Federal statute.’’.
SEC. 107. INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals
With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)
is amended by inserting after section 106 (as redesignated
by section 104) the following:
‘‘SEC. 107. INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide to
States and individuals with disabilities and their family
members, guardians, advocates, and authorized represent-
atives information and technical assistance.
‘‘(b) INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO
STATES.—Information and technical assistance provided
to the States under subsection (a) shall include—
‘‘(1) providing a clearinghouse for activities
that have been developed and implemented by
projects funded pursuant to this Act;
‘‘(2) facilitating service delivery capacity build-
ing, training of personnel across disciplines, evalua-
tion strategies, and research and data collection;
‘‘(3) providing information and technical assist-
ance on effective approaches to information referral,
interagency coordination on training and service de-
livery, outreach to underrepresented populations and
rural populations, and public awareness activities;
‘‘(4) assisting in planning, developing, imple-
menting and evaluating appropriate activities to fur-
ther extend consumer-responsive, consumer-driven,
comprehensive statewide programs of technology-re-
lated assistance for individuals with disabilities;
‘‘(5) providing technical assistance and training
to the projects funded pursuant to this title for ac-
tivities conducted pursuant to section 101(c)(3); and
‘‘(6) providing any other appropriate informa-
tion and technical assistance to assist the States in
accomplishing the purposes of this Act.
‘‘(c) INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO
INDIVIDUALS.—Information and technical assistance pro-
vided to individuals with disabilities and their family mem-
bers, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives
under subsection (a) shall include—
‘‘(1) disseminating information and providing
technical assistance on Federal, State and local laws,
regulations, policies, procedures, and practices that
facilitate funding for and access to assistive tech-
nology devices and services, to promote independ-
ence, productivity, and inclusion in the economic, po-
litical, social, cultural, and educational mainstream
of American society for individuals of all ages with
disabilities;
‘‘(2) identifying, collecting, and disseminating
information, and providing technical assistance on
effective systems change activities, advocacy services,
and protection and advocacy services;
‘‘(3) collecting, analyzing, and disseminating on
a national basis assistive technology funding deci-
sions made as a result of policies, procedures, and
practices, or through regulations, administrative
hearings, or legal action that enhance access to
funding of assistive technology devices and services
for individuals with disabilities;
‘‘(4) 
promoting 
State-Federal 
coordination
through information dissemination and technical as-
sistance activities in response to funding policy im-
provements identified by the States that enhance
funding for, or access to, assistive technology devices
and services for individuals of all ages with disabil-
ities; and
‘‘(5) providing any other appropriate informa-
tion and technical assistance to assist individuals
with disabilities and their family members, guard-
ians, advocates, and authorized representatives in
accomplishing the purposes of this Act.
‘‘(d) GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND AGREEMENTS.—
‘‘(1) PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCIES.—The Sec-
retary shall provide the information and technical
assistance described in this section through grants,
contracts, or cooperative agreements with public or
private agencies and organizations, including institu-
tions of higher education, with documented experi-
ence, expertise, and capacity to accomplish identified
activities.
‘‘(2) NUMBER.—The Secretary shall provide the
information and technical assistance described in
this section through one or two grants, contracts, or
cooperative agreements. An agency or organization
that is a party to such a grant, contract, or agree-
ment may contract with other public or private
agencies or organizations for the purposes of provid-
ing the information and technical assistance de-
scribed in this section.’’.
SEC. 108. FUNDING.
Section 108 of the Technology-Related Assistance for
Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C.
2216) (as redesignated by section 104) is amended to read
as follows:
‘‘SEC. 108. FUNDING.
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this title $50,000,000 for
fiscal year 1994, and such sums as may be nec-
essary for each of the fiscal years 1995 through
2002.
‘‘(2) RESERVATION.—The Secretary shall re-
serve 2 percent of funds appropriated in any fiscal
year under paragraph (1), or $1,500,000, whichever
is greater, for the purpose of providing to States and
individuals with disabilities and their family mem-
bers, guardians, advocates, and authorized rep-
resentatives information and technical assistance
under section 107.
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATION.—From funds appropriated
for salaries and expenses with respect to the Department
of Education for each fiscal year beginning after October
1, 1993, the Secretary—
‘‘(1) shall expend such amounts as may be nec-
essary to ensure that 4 full-time employees are
added to the number of employees serving on Sep-
tember 30, 1993, in the Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services of the Department of
Education; and
‘‘(2) shall assign such additional employees to
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilita-
tion Research to be engaged in the full-time admin-
istration of this Act.’’.
TITLE II—PROGRAMS OF
NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
SEC. 201. PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.
The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals
With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)
is amended by striking title II and inserting the following:
‘‘TITLE II—PROGRAMS OF
NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
‘‘PART A—NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
‘‘SEC. 201. NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary—
‘‘(1) shall collect the uniform data described in
subsection (c) across the publicly funded programs
described in subsection (d) through the use of a sin-
gle taxonomy and a uniform data collection instru-
ment; and
‘‘(2) shall develop, in consultation with the In-
ternal Revenue Service, procedures for determining
whether devices and services are assistive technology
devices or services within the meaning of paragraph
(2) or (3) of section 3.
‘‘(b) SINGLE TAXONOMY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the technical assistance contractees de-
scribed in section 107(d), the States receiving funds
under title I, organizations that have worked in the
information and referral field in the past, and
assistive technology reimbursement specialists, shall
adopt a single taxonomy for assistive technology de-
vices and services.
‘‘(2) DEADLINES.—(A) The Secretary may
carry out this subsection through a contract or grant
if the contract or grant is made within the 6-month
period beginning on the date of the enactment of the
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With
Disabilities Amendments of 1993. If the Secretary
carries out this subsection through contract or
grant, the contract or grant shall be for a period of
not more than 2 years.
‘‘(B) If the Secretary does not carry out this
subsection through contract or grant, the Secretary
shall adopt the taxonomy described in paragraph (1)
within the 2-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of the Technology-Related Assistance for
Individuals With Disabilities Amendments of 1993.
‘‘(c) UNIFORM DATA.—The uniform data referred to
in subsection (a) shall include the following:
‘‘(1) Expenditures for the different types of
assistive technology devices and services.
‘‘(2) Type of disability of the individual.
‘‘(3) Type of functional needs of the individual
with a disability.
‘‘(4) Type of device.
‘‘(5) Type of service.
‘‘(6) Type of provider.
‘‘(7) Age of the individual.
‘‘(8) Gender of the individual.
‘‘(9) Ethnicity of the individual.
‘‘(10) Geographic residence of the individual.
‘‘(11) Funding source.
‘‘(d) PUBLICLY FUNDED PROGRAMS.—The publicly
funded programs referred to in subsection (a) shall in-
clude—
‘‘(1) titles I, VI, and VII of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.);
‘‘(2) parts H and B of the Individuals with Dis-
abilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
‘‘(3) titles V and XIX of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
‘‘(4) programs funded under the Older Ameri-
cans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); and
‘‘(5) programs funded under the Developmental
Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6000
et seq.).
‘‘PART B—TRAINING AND DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS
‘‘SEC. 211. TRAINING GRANTS.
‘‘(a) TECHNOLOGY TRAINING.—
‘‘(1) GENERAL
AUTHORITY.—The Secretary
shall enter into contracts or cooperative agreements
with appropriate public or private agencies and orga-
nizations, including institutions of higher education,
for the purposes of—
‘‘(A) conducting training sessions; and
‘‘(B) developing, demonstrating, dissemi-
nating, and evaluating curricula, materials, and
methods used to train individuals regarding the
provision of technology-related assistance.
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE
ACTIVITIES.—Activities con-
ducted under contracts or cooperative agreements
entered into under paragraph (1) may address the
training needs of individuals with disabilities and
their family members, guardians, advocates, and au-
thorized representatives, representatives of public
agencies and private entities that have contact with
individuals with disabilities (including insurers),
teachers and related services personnel, technology
experts (including engineers), employers, and other
appropriate individuals.
‘‘(b) TECHNOLOGY CAREERS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make
grants to assist institutions of higher education to
prepare students and faculty working in specific
fields for careers relating to the provision of assistive
technology devices and services. The specific fields
include—
‘‘(A) engineering;
‘‘(B) industrial technology;
‘‘(C) computer science;
‘‘(D) communication disorders;
‘‘(E) special education;
‘‘(F) rehabilitation; and
‘‘(G) social work.
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to
the preparation of personnel who will provide tech-
nical assistance, administer programs, or prepare
personnel necessary to support the development and
implementation of consumer-responsive, consumer-
driven, comprehensive statewide programs of tech-
nology-related assistance for individuals with disabil-
ities.
‘‘(3) USES OF FUNDS.—Amounts made avail-
able for grants under paragraph (1) may be used by
institutions of higher education to assist in covering
the cost of courses of training or study for such per-
sonnel and for establishing and maintaining fellow-
ships or traineeships with such stipends and allow-
ances as may be determined by the Secretary.
‘‘(c) GRANTS
TO
HISTORICALLY
BLACK
COL-
LEGES.—In exercising the authority granted in sub-
sections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall reserve an ade-
quate amount for grants to historically black colleges and
universities and other institutions of higher education
whose minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent.
‘‘SEC. 212. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
‘‘The Secretary shall provide funds to an organization
whose primary function is to promote technology transfer
from, and cooperation among, Federal laboratories (as de-
fined in section 4(6) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.)). Such
funds shall be used to promote technology transfer that
will spur the development of assistive technology devices.
‘‘SEC. 213. DEVICE AND EQUIPMENT REDISTRIBUTION IN-
FORMATION SYSTEMS AND RECYCLING CEN-
TERS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make grants
to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with,
public agencies, private entities, or institutions of higher
education for the purpose of developing and establishing
recycling projects.
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—Eligible recycling ac-
tivities may include—
‘‘(1) a system for accepting, on an uncondi-
tional gift basis, assistive technology devices, includ-
ing a process for valuing the devices and evaluating
their use and potential;
‘‘(2) a system for storing and caring for such
devices;
‘‘(3) an information system (including computer
databases) by which local educational agencies, reha-
bilitation entities, local community-based organiza-
tions, independent living centers and other entities,
would be informed, on a periodic and timely basis,
about the availability and nature of the devices cur-
rently held; and
‘‘(4) a system for making such devices available
to consumers and those entities listed in paragraph
(3), provided that such system include provision for
tracking each device throughout its useful life.
‘‘(c) MULTIPLE PROVIDERS.—With respect to activi-
ties funded under this section, an agency, entity, or insti-
tution may utilize a single authority or may establish a
system of service providers. If an agency, entity, or institu-
tion uses multiple providers, the agency, entity, or institu-
tion shall assure that—
‘‘(1) all consumers within a State receive equal
access to services, regardless of the geographic loca-
tion or socioeconomic status of the consumers; and
‘‘(2) all activities of the providers are coordi-
nated and monitored by the agency, entity, or insti-
tution.
‘‘(d) OTHER LAWS.—Nothing in this section shall af-
fect the provision of services or devices pursuant to title
I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.)
or part B of the Individuals With Disabilities Education
Act (20 U.S.C 1411 et seq.).
‘‘(e) EXISTING PROGRAMS.—Public agencies, private
entities, or institutions of higher education that have al-
ready established recycling programs may extend and
strengthen such programs through grants, contracts, or
agreements under this section.
‘‘SEC. 214. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES.
‘‘The Secretary may make grants to individuals with
disabilities to enable them to establish or operate commer-
cial or other enterprises which develop or market assistive
technology devices or services.
‘‘SEC. 215. PRODUCTS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN.
‘‘The Secretary may make grants to commercial or
other enterprises and institutions of higher education for
the research and development of products of universal de-
sign. Preference shall be given to those enterprises which
are owned or operated by individuals with disabilities.
‘‘SEC. 216. GOVERNING STANDARDS FOR PART B PROJECTS.
‘‘Projects operated pursuant to this part shall—
‘‘(1) be held to the same consumer-responsive,
consumer-driven standards as the program under
title I;
‘‘(2) make available to individuals with disabil-
ities and their family members, guardians, advo-
cates, and authorized representatives information
concerning technology-related assistance in a form
that will allow such individuals with disabilities to
effectively use such information;
‘‘(3) in preparing such information for dissemi-
nation, consider the media-related needs of individ-
uals with disabilities who have sensory and cognitive
limitations and consider the use of auditory mate-
rials, including audio cassettes, visual materials, in-
cluding video cassettes and video discs, and braille
materials; and
‘‘(4) coordinate their efforts with the consumer-
responsive, consumer-driven, comprehensive state-
wide program of technology-related assistance for in-
dividuals with disabilities in the State or States in
which the projects operate.
‘‘PART C—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
‘‘SEC. 221. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out this title $10,000,000 for fiscal
year 1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each
of the fiscal years 1995 through 1998.
‘‘(b) RESERVATION.—Of the amounts appropriated
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reserve $200,000
in each of the fiscal years 1994 and 1995 for the purpose
of adopting the taxonomy under section 201.’’.
TITLE III—ALTERNATIVE
FINANCING MECHANISMS
SEC. 301. ALTERNATIVE FINANCING MECHANISMS AUTHOR-
IZED.
The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals
With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘TITLE III—ALTERNATIVE
FINANCING MECHANISMS
‘‘SEC. 301. GENERAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ALTER-
NATIVE FINANCING MECHANISMS.
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award
grants to States to provide a Federal share for the estab-
lishment of, or the expansion of, alternative financing
mechanisms to allow individuals with disabilities and their
family members, guardians, and authorized representa-
tives to purchase assistive technology devices and services.
Grants under this section may be used to provide up to
one half of the costs of providing and administering such
alternative financing mechanisms. The mechanisms may
include—
‘‘(1) a low-interest loan fund;
‘‘(2) a revolving fund;
‘‘(3) a loan insurance program;
‘‘(4) a partnership with private entities for the
purchase, lease, or other acquisition of assistive
technology devices or the provision of assistive tech-
nology services; and
‘‘(5) other alternative financing mechanisms
that meet the requirements of this Act and are ap-
proved by the Secretary.
‘‘(b) CONSTRUCTION OF TITLE I.—Nothing in this
section shall be construed as affecting the authority of a
State to establish alternative financing mechanisms under
title I.
‘‘SEC. 302. APPLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES.
‘‘States that receive or have received grants under
section 102, 103, or 104 shall be eligible to compete for
grants under this title. The Secretary shall make grants
under this title under such conditions as the Secretary
shall, by regulation, determine, except that—
‘‘(1) a State may receive only one grant under
this title;
‘‘(2) a State that desires to receive a grant
under this title shall submit an application that con-
tains—
‘‘(A) an assurance that the State will pro-
vide an amount not less than the amount paid
to the State by the Secretary under this title,
as set forth under section 304, for the purpose
of supporting the alternative financing mecha-
nisms that are covered by the grant;
‘‘(B) an assurance that an alternative fi-
nancing mechanism shall continue on a perma-
nent basis; and
‘‘(C) a description of the degree to which
the alternative financing mechanisms to be
funded under this title will expand and empha-
size consumer choice and control;
‘‘(3) a State that receives a grant under this
title—
‘‘(A) shall contract with a community-
based organization (or a consortia of such orga-
nizations) that has individuals with disabilities
involved at all organizational levels for the ad-
ministration of the alternative financing mecha-
nisms that are supported by this title; and
‘‘(B) shall require that such community-
based organization contract, for the purpose of
expanding opportunities under this title and fa-
cilitating the administration of the alternative
financing mechanisms, with—
‘‘(i) commercial lending institutions or
organizations; or
‘‘(ii) State financing agencies; and
‘‘(4) a contract between a State that receives a
grant under this title and a community-based orga-
nization described in paragraph (3)—
‘‘(A) shall include the administration of
both the Federal and non-Federal matching
share in a manner consistent with the provi-
sions of this title; and
‘‘(B) shall include any provision required
by the Secretary dealing with oversight and
evaluation as may be necessary to protect the
financial interests of the United States.
‘‘SEC. 303. GRANT ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
‘‘A State that receives a grant under this title, to-
gether with any community-based organization that con-
tracts to administer an alternative financing mechanism
that is supported by this title, shall develop and submit
to the Secretary, pursuant to a timeline that the Secretary
may establish or, if the Secretary does not establish a
timeline, within the 12-month period beginning on the
date that the State receives the grant, the following poli-
cies or procedures for administration of the mechanism:
‘‘(1) A procedure to review and process in a
timely fashion requests for financial assistance for
both immediate and potential technology needs, in-
cluding consideration of methods to reduce paper-
work and duplication of effort, particularly relating
to need, eligibility and determination of the specific
device or service to be provided.
‘‘(2) A policy and procedure to assure that ac-
cess to the alternative funding mechanism shall be
given to consumers regardless of type of disability,
age, location of residence in the State, or type of
assistive technology device or service requested and
shall be made available to applicants of all income
levels.
‘‘(3) A procedure to assure consumer-controlled
oversight.
‘‘SEC. 304. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS.
‘‘A State that desires to receive a grant under this
title shall submit an application that contains assurances
that funds supporting an alternative financing mechanism
under this title shall meet the following requirements:
‘‘(1) Funds provided by the State to match the
Federal share for the mechanism—
‘‘(A) shall be from either State, local, or
private sources;
‘‘(B) shall be of an amount at least equal
to the Federal funds provided under a grant
under this title; and
‘‘(C) shall not be taken from, or obtained
by the reduction of any services in, any pro-
gram providing similar services to individuals
with disabilities which is in operation on the
date of the submission of the application.
‘‘(2) Funds that support an alternative financ-
ing mechanism under this title—
‘‘(A) shall be used to supplement and not
supplant existing public funding options; and
‘‘(B) may only be distributed as a payer of
last resort for assistance that is not available in
a reasonable or timely fashion from any other
Federal, State, or local source.
‘‘(3) All funds that support an alternative fi-
nancing mechanism funded under this title, includ-
ing funds repaid during the life of the mechanism,
shall be placed in a permanent separate account and
identified and accounted for separately from any
other fund. Funds within this account may be in-
vested in low-risk securities in which a regulated in-
surance company may invest under the law of the
State for which the grant is provided and shall be
administered with the same judgment and care that
a person of prudence, discretion, and intelligence
would exercise in the management of the financial
affairs of such person.
‘‘(4) The principal and interest from an account
described in paragraph (3) shall be available to sup-
port an alternative financing mechanism supported
under this title. Any interest or investment income
that accrues on any funds covered under this para-
graph after such funds have been placed under the
control of the entity administering the mechanism,
but before such funds are distributed for purposes of
supporting the mechanism, shall be the property of
the entity administering the mechanism and shall
not be taken into account by any officer or employee
of the Federal Government for any purpose.
‘‘SEC. 305. AMOUNT OF GRANTS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A grant under this title shall be
for an amount that is not more than $500,000 increased
by any amount made available under subsection (b).
‘‘(b) EXCESS FUNDS.—If funds appropriated under
section 308 for a fiscal year are in excess of the amount
necessary to fund acceptable applications for such year,
the Secretary shall make such excess amount available to
States receiving grants under this title in such year on
a competitive basis. A State that desires to receive addi-
tional funds under this subsection shall amend and resub-
mit to the Secretary the application submitted under sec-
tion 302. Such amended application shall contain an as-
surance that the State will provide an additional amount
for the purpose of supporting the alternative financing
mechanisms covered by the grant that is not less than any
additional amount paid to the State by the Secretary
under this subsection.
‘‘(c) INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.—If funds appropriated
under section 308 for a fiscal year are not sufficient to
fund each of the acceptable applications for such year, a
State whose application was approved as acceptable for
such year but that did not receive a grant under this title
may update such application for the succeeding fiscal year.
Priority shall be given in such succeeding fiscal year to
such updated applications, if acceptable.
‘‘SEC. 306. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide in-
formation and technical assistance to States under this
title. The information and technical assistance shall in-
clude—
‘‘(1) assisting States in the preparation of ap-
plications for grants under this title;
‘‘(2) assisting States that receive such grants in
developing and implementing alternative financing
mechanisms; and
‘‘(3) providing any other information and tech-
nical assistance to assist States in accomplishing the
purposes of this title.
‘‘(b) GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND AGREEMENTS.—The
Secretary shall provide the information and technical as-
sistance described in subsection (a) through grants, con-
tracts, or cooperative agreements with public or private
agencies and organizations, including institutions of high-
er education, with documented experience, expertise, and
capacity to assist States in the development and imple-
mentation of the alternative financing mechanisms de-
scribed in section 301.
‘‘SEC. 307. ANNUAL REPORT.
‘‘Not later than December 31 of each year, the Sec-
retary shall submit a report to the Congress stating
whether each State program to provide alternative financ-
ing mechanisms that was supported by this title during
the year is making significant progress in achieving the
objectives of this title. The report shall include—
‘‘(1) the number of applications for a grant
under this title that were received by the Secretary;
‘‘(2) the number of grants made and the
amounts of such grants;
‘‘(3) the ratio of the amount of funds provided
by each State for a State program to provide alter-
native financing mechanisms to the amount of Fed-
eral funds provided for such program;
‘‘(4) the type of program to provide alternative
financing mechanisms that was adopted in each
State and the community-based organization (or
consortia of such organizations) with whom each
State has contracted; and
‘‘(5) the amount of assistance given to consum-
ers (who shall be classified by age, type of disability,
type of assistive technology device or service re-
ceived, geographic distribution within the State, gen-
der, 
and 
whether 
they 
are 
part 
of 
an
underrepresented population or a rural population).
‘‘SEC. 308. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out this title $8,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the
fiscal years 1995 through 2002.
‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY IN SUCCEEDING FISCAL YEAR.—
Amounts appropriated under subsection (a) shall remain
available for expenditure in the fiscal year immediately fol-
lowing the fiscal year for which such amounts were appro-
priated.
‘‘(c) RESERVATION.—Of the amounts appropriated
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reserve $250,000
for the purpose of providing information and technical as-
sistance to States under section 306.’’.
TITLE IV—AMENDMENTS TO
OTHER ACTS
SEC. 401. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION
ACT.
Section 631(a)(1) of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431(a)(1)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘, and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (D) and inserting a comma;
(2) by striking the period at the end of sub-
paragraph (E) and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(F) training in the use, applications, and bene-
fits of assistive technology devices and services (as
defined in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 3 of the
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With
Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)).’’.
SEC. 402. REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973.
(a) NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY AND RE-
HABILITATION RESEARCH.—Section 202(b)(8) of the Re-
habilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 761a(b)(8)) is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘characteristics of individuals with disabil-
ities’’ and inserting ‘‘characteristics of individuals with
disabilities, including information on individuals with dis-
abilities who live in rural or inner-city settings, with par-
ticular attention given to underserved populations,’’.
(b) TRAINING.—Section 302(b)(1)(B) of the Reha-
bilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 771a(b)(1)(B)), as
added by section 302(b) of Public Law 102–569 (106
Stat. 4412), is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of clause (ii)
and inserting a semicolon;
(2) by striking the period at the end of clause
(iii) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(iv) projects to train personnel in the use,
applications, and benefits of assistive technology
devices and services (as defined in sections 3(2)
and 3(3) of the Technology-Related Assistance
for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988
(29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)).’’.
SEC. 403. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE.—Section 7(23)
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 706(23)),
as added by section 102(n) of Public Law 102–569 (106
Stat. 4350), is amended by striking ‘‘3(1)’’ and inserting
‘‘3(2)’’.
(b) ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
SERVICE.—Section
7(24) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
706(24)), as added by section 102(n) of Public Law 102–