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 Assistive
Technology Bill Headed to President for Signature
CEC, October 13, 2004
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The full U.S.
House of Representatives passed the Assistive Technology Act of
2004 (H.R. 4278) on October 8, 2004, sending it to President
Bush for his signature. The Assistive Technology Act primarily
funds state programs that provide assistive technology (AT)
devices and services to individuals with disabilities. Some
features of H.R. 4278 include:
* A 60/40 and 70/30 split in funding for state activities;
* A minimum state grant of $410,000; and
* A sunset provision is waived, so that AT will now be regularly
Following is a press release on the House passage from the House
Committee on Education and the Workforce:
McKeon Bill to Expand Access to Technology for Individuals
with Disabilities Approved by House, Ready for President's
Signature
On October 8, 2004 the U.S. House of Representatives
overwhelmingly passed legislation, authored by 21st Century
Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon
(R-CA, to expand access to technology for individuals with
disabilities. The bill, the Assistive Technology Act of 2004
(H.R. 4278), is now headed to President Bush for his signature.
"This bill shifts the focus of the program to provide greater
benefit to individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to help
states get more assistive technology directly into the hands of
individuals with disabilities," said McKeon. "I know this will
help states continue to make progress in their efforts to expand
access to assistive technology, and that increasing numbers of
individuals with disabilities will be able to participate in
society more fully everyday."
The bipartisan bill, approved last week by the U.S. Senate, will
strengthen assistive technology programs by refocusing resources
to provide more direct aid to individuals with disabilities. By
requiring states to spend the majority of their assistive
technology grants on activities that directly benefit
individuals with disabilities, the Assistive Technology Act of
2004 will help guarantee individuals will have greater access to
assistive technology. The bill encourages states to invest in
the programs that have been shown the most effective in
providing assistive technology devices.
Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), chairman of the Education & the
Workforce Committee, praised the bill's reforms. "This bill is a
milestone for Americans with disabilities who depend on
assistive technology to improve their quality of life," said
Boehner. "By devoting fewer resources to building bureaucracy,
this bill will expand access to needed technology for Americans
of all ages living with disabilities."
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