A resolution designating April 14, 2021, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day".

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 162 Designating April 14, 2021, as ‘‘National Assistive Technology Awareness Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES APRIL 15, 2021 Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. CRAMER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating April 14, 2021, 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 individuals with dis- abilities 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 Pre- vention reported that 1 in 4 individuals in the United States, or almost 61,000,000 individuals, has a disability; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:50 Apr 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR162.ATS SR162 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 162 ATS Whereas, in 2019, the Department of Education reported that there were more than 7,100,000 children with dis- abilities; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention re- ported that, among adults 65 years of age and older, 2 in 5 have a disability; Whereas assistive technology allows individuals with disabil- ities and older adults to be included in their communities and in inclusive classrooms and workplaces; Whereas assistive technology devices and services are neces- sities, 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, inte- grated employment; Whereas the availability of assistive technology in the work- place promotes economic self-sufficiency, enhances work participation, and is critical to the employment of individ- uals with disabilities and older adults; and Whereas State assistive technology programs support a con- tinuum of services that include— (1) the exchange, repair, recycling, and other reutili- zation of assistive technology devices; (2) device loan programs that provide short-term loans of assistive technology devices to individuals, em- ployers, 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 initia- tives, such as financial loan programs, leasing programs, VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:50 Apr 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR162.ATS SR162 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 162 ATS and other financing alternatives, that give individuals af- fordable, flexible options to purchase or obtain assistive technology: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates April 14, 2021, as ‘‘National As- 2 sistive Technology Awareness Day’’; and 3 (2) commends— 4 (A) assistive technology specialists and 5 program coordinators for their hard work and 6 dedication to serving individuals with disabil- 7 ities who are in need of finding the proper as- 8 sistive technology to meet their individual 9 needs; and 10 (B) professional organizations and re- 11 searchers dedicated to facilitating the access 12 and acquisition of assistive technology for indi- 13 viduals with disabilities and older adults in need 14 of assistive technology devices. 15 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:50 Apr 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR162.ATS SR162 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS