Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 2.djvu/41

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PUBLIC LAW 100-407—AUG. 19, 1988

102 STAT. 1045

ices that such individuals need to allow such individuals to function in society commensurate with their abilities. States do not have comprehensive programs for making available technology-related assistance to individuals with disabilities. There is a lack of— (A) resources to pay for such devices and services; (B) trained personnel to provide such devices and services and to assist individuals with disabilities to use such devices and services; (C) information about the potential of technology available to individuals with disabilities, the families or representatives of individuals with disabilities, individuals who work for public agencies and private entities that have contact with individuals with disabilities (including insurers), employers, and other appropriate individuals; (D) coordination among existing State human services prc^rams, and among such programs and private agencies, particularly with respect to transitions between such programs and agencies; and (E) capacity of such p n ^ a m s to provide the necessary technology-related assistance. (7) There are insufRcient incentives for the commercial pursuit of the application of technology devices to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, because of limited markets. (8) At the Federal level, there is a lack of coordination among agencies that provide or pay for the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services. Also, the Federal Government does not provide adequate assistance and information with respect to the use of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services to individuals with disabilities, the families or representatives of individuals with disabilities, individuals who work for public agencies and private entities that have contact with individuals with disabilities (including insurers), employers, and other appropriate individu£ds. (b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are as follows: (1) To provide financial assistance to the States to help each State to develop and implement a consumer-responsive statewide program of technology-related assistance for individuals of all ages with disabilities that is designed to— (A) increase awareness of the needs of individuals with disabilities for assistive technology devices and assistive technology services; (B) increase awareness of policies, practices, and procedures that facilitate or impede the availability or provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services; (C) increase the availability of and funding for the provision of assistive t e c h n o l ( ^ devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities; (D) increase awareness and knowledge of the efficacy of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services among individuals with disabilities, the families or representatives of individuals with disabilities, individuals who work for public agencies and private entities that have contact with individuals with disabilities (including insurers), employers, and other appropriate individuals;

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