[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 4, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1479-S1480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 530--DESIGNATING MARCH 4, 2020, 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. 530

       Whereas assistive technology is any item, piece of 
     equipment, or product system that is used to increase, 
     maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of 
     individuals with disabilities and older adults;
       Whereas the term ``assistive technology service'' means any 
     service that directly assists an individual 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 individuals 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 7,000,000 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 individuals 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 individuals 
     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, 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 
     individuals 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

[[Page S1480]]

     obtain assistive technology: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 4, 2020, as ``National Assistive 
     Technology Awareness Day''; and
       (2) commends--
       (A) assistive technology specialists and program 
     coordinators for their hard work and dedication to serving 
     individuals 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 individuals with disabilities and older adults 
     in need of assistive technology devices.

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