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The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act
The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 100-407) was signed into law by President Reagan on August 19, 1988. This law provides funding to develop statewide, consumer-responsive information and training programs designed to meet the assistive technology (AT) needs of individuals with disabilities of all ages. The Act defines an AT device as any item, piece of equipment, or product system (whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized) that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology service is defined as any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive device. The Act also defines an individual with a disability as any individual who is considered to have a disability or handicap for the purpose of any federal laws other than this Act. The Tech Act Program for Arizona is the Arizona Technology Access Program, Institute for Human Development, Northern Arizona University.
The purpose of this Act is to:
- Increase awareness of the needs of individuals with disabilities for AT devices and services.
- Increase awareness of policies and procedures that facilitate or impede the acquisition of AT.
- Improve the availability of and funding for AT.
- Expand knowledge of efficient applications of AT devices and services.
- Promote coordination among state agencies and public and private entities that provide AT devices and services.
Amendments to the Tech Act
In March 1994, President Clinton signed the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendment of 1994 into law (P.L. 103-218). These amendments strengthen and expand the original Tech Act by emphasizing systems change and advocacy. This reauthorization and amendment bill extends congressional support of the Act through 1999. These amendments require states to perform six specific systems change and advocacy activities, as well as to provide a specific amount of their funds to the State protection and advocacy agency.
The six mandated activities are to:
- Develop and monitor policies and procedures that will improve access to, and funding for, AT devices and services.
- Develop and implement strategies to overcome funding barriers, with particular emphasis on overcoming barriers for underrepresented and rural populations.
- Coordinate activities among state agencies to increase access to, provision of, and funding for AT devices and services.
- Empower individuals with disabilities to successfully advocate for increased access to and funding for AT, as well as to increase their participation, choice, and control in the selection and procurement of assistive technology devices and services.
- Provide outreach to underrepresented and rural populations by identifying and assessing their needs, increasing accessibility of services, and training representatives of such populations. In addition, provide training of project staff who work with these populations.
- Develop and implement strategies to ensure timely acquisition and delivery of AT devices and services with special emphasis on children.
The state technology assistance programs are administered by the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
- For additional information, please contact:
- Todd Miller
Information Coordinator
RESNA Technical Assistance Project
1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 1540
Arlington, VA 22209-1903
Email: tmiller@resna.org
Voice: (703) 524-6686, Ext. 309
TTY: (703) 524-6639
Fax: (703) 524-6630
