TechACCESSory Summer 2003: ATAP Funding Report

Message from ATAP's Project Director:

ATAP is continuing to work for increased, permanent funding for the purchase of AT devices and services for individuals with disabilities. With the possible sunsetting of the AT act, it is critical that we ensure that funding is available for this purpose through existing sources.

Regina Connor

WASHINGTON UPDATES AT ACT FUNDING;
REAUTHORIZATION; NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE ACTIVITIES

On February 3, 2003, President George W. Bush released his budget proposal for FY'04. The proposed budget zeroes out the Tech Act, requesting no funds for Title I nor Title III. The budget proposal notes that the Title I program has "achieved its primary purpose". Title I is the State Grants Programs which supports the work done by the Rhode Island AT project. Title III authorizes the establishment of alternative financing programs. Congress has until September 30, 2003 to act on the '04 budget request.

The Assistive Technology Act of 1988, re-authorized in 1998, is now scheduled for reauthorization in 2004. In March 2002, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held an oversight hearing on the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. This was the first hearing that the House of Representatives has had on this important law in 9 years. Many individuals testified on how assistive technology offers them increased opportunities to live and work independently. The current law requires a "sunset" of state grant programs, which is slated to occur in cycles and would require a phase out of the funding. The 2003 budget, which was enacted in February, waived the sunset provision for the current fiscal year. To date there are no hearings officially scheduled on the Hill regarding re-authorization but an official ATAP appropriations request will be sent up in the near future.

Access to assistive technology for people with disabilities is a basic foundation of the President's New Freedom Initiative. In February 2003, President Bush directed the secretaries of Education; Health and Human Services; Labor; and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to create an Interagency Working Group on Assistive Technology Mobility Devices. The purpose of this group is to identify existing Federal programs and resources that are designed to assist people with disabilities to obtain the assistive technology mobility devices they need for obtaining an education and seeking and maintaining employment. The Working Group will identify gaps and propose solutions for better educating vocational rehabilitation counselors, students and others with disabilities, and other agency services providers about the ability to combine existing resources (i.e. vocational rehabilitation, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, IDEA, etc.) for assistive technology mobility devices.

President Bush announced the Executive Memorandum by saying: "My New Freedom Initiative strives to provide people with disabilities increased opportunities to lead more independent lives by expanding education and job opportunities, and by ensuring that the latest technologies, which often make education and employment possible, are readily available". The President has ordered the Working Group to provide a report no later than 180 days from its creation. That report is due in September 2003.

For more information, contact the ATAP Central Resource Center at TechACCESS at 1-800-916-TECH or 401-463-0202.

Partners in Removing Barriers and Improving Access to Assistive Technology