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[Page S1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 103--DESIGNATING MARCH 27, 2019, AS ``NATIONAL
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS DAY''
Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 103
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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