A resolution designating March 27, 2019, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day".

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 103 Designating March 27, 2019, as ‘‘National Assistive Technology Awareness Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 11, 2019 Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. CRAMER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating March 27, 2019, 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 people with disabil- ities and older adults; Whereas the term ‘‘assistive technology service’’ means 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 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention reported that 1 in 4 people in the United States, or almost 61,000,000 individuals, has a disability; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Mar 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR103.ATS SR103 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 103 ATS Whereas, in 2017, the Department of Education reported that there were more than 6,700,000 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 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 not lux- ury items but necessities for millions of people with dis- abilities and older adults, without which they would be unable to live in their communities, access education, and 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 people 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) providing State financing activities to help indi- viduals purchase or obtain assistive technology through a variety of initiatives, such as financial loan programs, VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Mar 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR103.ATS SR103 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 103 ATS 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 (1) designates March 27, 2019, as ‘‘National 2 Assistive 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 people with disabilities 7 who are in need of finding the proper assistive 8 technology to meet their individual needs; and 9 (B) professional organizations and re- 10 searchers who are dedicated to facilitating the 11 access and acquisition of assistive technology 12 for people with disabilities and older adults in 13 need of assistive technology devices. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Mar 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR103.ATS SR103 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS