2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH › 20 ILCS 1320/ - Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers Act.

(20 ILCS 1320/1)
Sec. 1. 
		Short title. 
		This Act may be cited as the Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-428, eff. 1-1-98.)
(20 ILCS 1320/5)
Sec. 5. 
		Findings.
(a) There are approximately 2,200,000 persons with disabilities residing in
the State of Illinois, most of whom need assistive technology for daily living,
education, independence, and employment.
(b) There is a serious lack of resources within the State of Illinois,
especially outside of the Chicago metropolitan area, for comprehensive
evaluations, training, and hands-on experience with assistive technology to
determine the appropriateness of assistive technology for persons with
disabilities before they purchase assistive technology devices.
(c) As a result of the serious lack of evaluation and training resources, a
great number of persons with disabilities in Illinois will do without needed
assistive technology or will purchase inappropriate assistive technology,
thereby diminishing their educational and employment opportunities and
increasing their dependence upon federal and State support and forcing them to
unnecessarily rely upon community based resources and family members for
financial support and daily living assistance.
(d) It is almost always more cost-effective to purchase appropriate
assistive technology for a person with a disability to enable that person to
reach his or her potential for independent living, education, and employment
than to provide public assistance and government-funded personal care
assistance for that person.
(Source: P.A. 90-428, eff. 1-1-98.)
(20 ILCS 1320/7)
Sec. 7. 
		Definition. 
		As used in this Act, "assistive technology" means a
service or device that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional
capabilities of a person with a disability.
(Source: P.A. 90-428, eff. 1-1-98.)
(20 ILCS 1320/10)
Sec. 10. 
		Department of Human Services; Administrative Responsibilities.
(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall
establish at least one Assistive
Technology Evaluation and Training Center, the first one being in a strategic
downstate location, as determined by the Department, no later than July 1,
1998.
(b) The Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers shall be
operated by the Department, by not-for-profit
organizations funded through contractual arrangements with the Department
using a request-for-proposal process, or in collaboration with other entities.
The Department shall, by rule, establish
standards and criteria by which the Centers shall be operated, consistent with
this Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-428, eff. 1-1-98.)
(20 ILCS 1320/15)
Sec. 15. 
		
		Functions of Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training
Centers.  The Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers shall offer
comprehensive services to persons with disabilities regarding assistive
technology including, but not limited to:
(a) Comprehensive individual evaluations for a broad range of assistive
technology needs for persons with all types of disabilities for use in the
home, at school, in employment, and in the community;
(b) Training of consumers and appropriate family members regarding assistive
technology options available to the consumer and in the proper use of assistive
technology; and
(c) Training of professionals, including vocational rehabilitation
counselors,
school personnel, and other individuals who provide professional services to
persons with disabilities and their families to make them aware of assistive
technology as an alternative to more costly traditional services and to educate
them regarding available assistive technology devices and their uses and costs.
(Source: P.A. 90-428, eff. 1-1-98.)
(20 ILCS 1320/20)
Sec. 20. 
		Inventory; Trial Usage. 
		The Assistive Technology Evaluation and
Training Centers shall be required to have on hand a broad array of assistive
technology in order to conduct appropriate comprehensive evaluations, to
facilitate consumer, family, and professional training, and to offer consumers
opportunities for usage at the Centers or in appropriate community settings.
(Source: P.A. 90-428, eff. 1-1-98.)