29 U.S.C. § 3001 : US Code - Section 3001: Findings and purposes

Search 29 U.S.C. § 3001 : US Code - Section 3001: Findings and purposes

(a) Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1) Over 54,000,000 individuals in the United States have
disabilities, with almost half experiencing severe disabilities
that affect their ability to see, hear, communicate, reason,
walk, or perform other basic life functions.
(2) Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in
no way diminishes the right of individuals to -
(A) live independently;
(B) enjoy self-determination and make choices;
(C) benefit from an education;
(D) pursue meaningful careers; and
(E) enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic,
political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of
society in the United States.
(3) Technology is one of the primary engines for economic
activity, education, and innovation in the Nation, and throughout
the world. The commitment of the United States to the development
and utilization of technology is one of the main factors
underlying the strength and vibrancy of the economy of the United
States.
(4) As technology has come to play an increasingly important
role in the lives of all persons in the United States, in the
conduct of business, in the functioning of government, in the
fostering of communication, in the conduct of commerce, and in
the provision of education, its impact upon the lives of
individuals with disabilities in the United States has been
comparable to its impact upon the remainder of the citizens of
the United States. Any development in mainstream technology will
have profound implications for individuals with disabilities in
the United States.
(5) Substantial progress has been made in the development of
assistive technology devices, including adaptations to existing
devices that facilitate activities of daily living that
significantly benefit individuals with disabilities of all ages.
These devices, including adaptations, increase involvement in,
and reduce expenditures associated with, programs and activities
that facilitate communication, ensure independent functioning,
enable early childhood development, support educational
achievement, provide and enhance employment options, and enable
full participation in community living for individuals with
disabilities. Access to such devices can also reduce expenditures
associated with early childhood intervention, education,
rehabilitation and training, health care, employment, residential
living, independent living, recreation opportunities, and other
aspects of daily living.
(6) Over the last 15 years, the Federal Government has invested
in the development of comprehensive statewide programs of
technology-related assistance, which have proven effective in
assisting individuals with disabilities in accessing assistive
technology devices and assistive technology services. This
partnership between the Federal Government and the States
provided an important service to individuals with disabilities by
strengthening the capacity of each State to assist individuals
with disabilities of all ages meet their assistive technology
needs.
(7) Despite the success of the Federal-State partnership in
providing access to assistive technology devices and assistive
technology services, there is a continued need to provide
information about the availability of assistive technology,
advances in improving accessibility and functionality of
assistive technology, and appropriate methods to secure and
utilize assistive technology in order to maximize the
independence and participation of individuals with disabilities
in society.
(8) The combination of significant recent changes in Federal
policy (including changes to section 794d of this title,
accessibility provisions of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42
U.S.C. 15301 et seq.), and the amendments made to the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) by
the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) and the rapid and unending
evolution of technology require a Federal-State investment in
State assistive technology systems to continue to ensure that
individuals with disabilities reap the benefits of the
technological revolution and participate fully in life in their
communities.
(b) Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are -
(1) to support State efforts to improve the provision of
assistive technology to individuals with disabilities through
comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related
assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages, that
are designed to -
(A) increase the availability of, funding for, access to,
provision of, and training about assistive technology devices
and assistive technology services;
(B) increase the ability of individuals with disabilities of
all ages to secure and maintain possession of assistive
technology devices as such individuals make the transition
between services offered by educational or human service
agencies or between settings of daily living (for example,
between home and work);
(C) increase the capacity of public agencies and private
entities to provide and pay for assistive technology devices
and assistive technology services on a statewide basis for
individuals with disabilities of all ages;
(D) increase the involvement of individuals with disabilities
and, if appropriate, their family members, guardians,
advocates, and authorized representatives, in decisions related
to the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive
technology services;
(E) increase and promote coordination among State agencies,
between State and local agencies, among local agencies, and
between State and local agencies and private entities (such as
managed care providers), that are involved or are eligible to
be involved in carrying out activities under this chapter;
(F) increase the awareness and facilitate the change of laws,
regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and
organizational structures, that facilitate the availability or
provision of assistive technology devices and assistive
technology services; and
(G) increase awareness and knowledge of the benefits of
assistive technology devices and assistive technology services
among targeted individuals and entities and the general
population; and
(2) to provide States with financial assistance that supports
programs designed to maximize the ability of individuals with
disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and
authorized representatives to obtain assistive technology devices
and assistive technology services.