A resolution designating March 1, 2023, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day".

III 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 85 Designating March 1, 2023, as ‘‘National Assistive Technology Awareness Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 28, 2023 Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. CRAMER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating March 1, 2023, 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 an individual with a disability or an older adult; Whereas an assistive technology service is any service that di- rectly assists an individual with a disability or an older adult in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device; Whereas, in 2022, 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 23:43 Feb 28, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR85.ATS SR85 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 85 ATS Whereas, in the 2020–2021 school year, the Department of Education reported that there were more than 7,200,000 children with disabilities; 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 enables 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, and 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 23:43 Feb 28, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR85.ATS SR85 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 85 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 March 1, 2023, 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 in 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 23:43 Feb 28, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR85.ATS SR85 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS