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Phone: 808•532•7110
Fax: 808•532•7120
Toll Free: 1•800•645•3007
Email: atrc-info@atrc.org
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Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii
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Assistive Technology Resource Center of Hawaii
200 N. Vineyard Blvd. Ste. 430 Honolulu, HI 96817 USA
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THE "TECH ACT"
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998: builds on its predecessor, the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act) and affirms that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. It also affirms the federal role of promoting access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individuals with disabilities.
Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently; enjoy self-determination and make choices; benefit from an education; pursue meaningful careers; and, enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural and educational mainstream of American society.
As technology has come to play an increasingly important role in the lives of all Americans, 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 on the lives of America’s more than fifty million people with disabilities has been comparable to its impact upon the remainder of our citizens.
Substantial progress has been made in the development of AT devices, including adaptations to existing products that are part of daily living, which significantly benefit individuals with disabilities of all ages. These devices and adaptations increase the involvement of individuals in, and reduce the expenditures associated with, programs and activities such as early intervention, education, rehabilitation and training, employment, residential living, independent living, recreation and other aspects of daily living.
All States have consumer-responsive technology-related assistance programs. Federal support for these programs should continue, strengthening each State’s capacity to assist individuals with disabilities of all ages with their AT needs.
Purposes of The Tech Act:
To provide financial assistance to States for capacity-building and advocacy activities designated to assist each State to maintain and strengthen a permanent consumer-responsive comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages, that is designed to:
1. Increase the availability of, funding for, access to, and provision of AT devices and services;
2. Increase the active involvement of individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates or authorized representatives in decisions related to the provision of AT devices and services;
3. Increase and promote coordination among and between State agencies, local public agencies and private entities (e.g., managed care providers) that are or could be involved in carrying out activities under this Act;
4. Increase the probability that individuals with disabilities of all ages will, to the extent appropriate, be able to secure and maintain possession of assistive technology devices as these individuals make the transition between services offered by human services agencies or between settings of daily living;
5. Increase the capacity of public agencies and private entities to provide and pay for AT devices and services on a statewide basis for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
To identify Federal policies which facilitate payment for AT devices and services, to identify those Federal policies that impede such payment, and to eliminate inappropriate barriers to such payment.