Title: A resolution designating March 27, 2019, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.
It also commends assistive technology specialists, program coordinators, organizations, and researchers for their assistance in helping people with disabilities to access such technology.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 103 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 103

    Designating March 27, 2019, as ``National Assistive Technology 
                            Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 11, 2019

    Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating March 27, 2019, 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 people with disabilities and older adults;
Whereas the term ``assistive technology service'' means 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 2018, 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;
Whereas, in 2017, the Department of Education reported that there were more than 
        6,700,000 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 allows 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 not luxury items but 
        necessities for millions of people with disabilities and older adults, 
        without which they would be unable to live in their communities, access 
        education, and obtain, retain, and advance gainful, competitive 
        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) providing State financing activities to help individuals purchase 
or obtain assistive technology through a variety of initiatives, such as 
financial loan programs, leasing programs, and other financing 
alternatives, that give individuals affordable, flexible options to 
purchase or obtain assistive technology: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates March 27, 2019, as ``National Assistive 
        Technology Awareness Day''; and
            (2) commends--
                    (A) assistive technology specialists and program 
                coordinators for their hard work and dedication to 
                serving people with disabilities who are in need of 
                finding the proper assistive technology to meet their 
                individual needs; and
                    (B) professional organizations and researchers who 
                are dedicated to facilitating the access and 
                acquisition of assistive technology for people with 
                disabilities and older adults in need of assistive 
                technology devices.
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