[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 594 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 594

    Designating April 17, 2024, as ``National Assistive Technology 
                            Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 19, 2024

    Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating April 17, 2024, as ``National Assistive Technology 
                            Awareness Day''.

Whereas assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system 
        that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional 
        capabilities of a person with a disability or an older adult;
Whereas an assistive technology service is 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 2023, 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, during the 2021-2022 school year, the Department of Education reported 
        that there were more than 7,300,000 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 enables 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 necessities, not luxury 
        items, for millions of people with disabilities and older adults, 
        without which they would be unable to live in their communities, access 
        education, or obtain, retain, and advance gainful, competitive, and 
        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) State financing 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 April 17, 2024, as ``National Assistive 
        Technology Awareness Day''; and
            (2) commends--
                    (A) assistive technology specialists and program 
                coordinators for their hard work and dedication in 
                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 
                dedicated to facilitating the access and acquisition of 
                assistive technology for people with disabilities and 
                older adults in need of assistive technology devices.
                                 <all>