Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 108 Part 1.djvu/78

 108 STAT. 52 PUBLIC LAW 103-218—MAR. 9, 1994 and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, individuals who work for public agencies, or for private entities (including insurers), that have contact with individuals with disabilities, educators and related service personnel, technology experts (including engineers), employers, and other appropriate individuals about the availability and potential of technology for individuals with disabilities; "(D) aggressive outreach to underrepresented populations and rural populations; "(E) systems that ensure timely acquisition and delivery of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, particularly with respect to children; "(F) coordination among State human services programs, and between such programs and private entities, particularly with respect to transitions between such programs and entities; and "(G) capacity in such programs to provide the necessary technology-related assistance. "(7) Many individuals with disabilities cannot access existing telecommunications and information technologies and are at risk of not being able to access developing technologies. The failure of Federal and State governments, hardware manufacturers, software designers, information systems managers, and telecommunications service providers to account for the specific needs of individuals with disabilities results in the exclusion of such individuals from the use of telecommunications and information technologies and results in unnecessary costs associated with the retrofitting of devices and product systems. "(8) There are insufficient incentives for the commercial pursuit of the application of technology devices to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, because of the perception that such individuals constitute a limited market. "(9) 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. In addition, 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 and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, individuals who work for public agencies, or for private entities (including insurers), that have contact with individuals with disabilities, educators and related services personnel, technology experts (including engineers), employers, and other appropriate individuals.". (c) PURPOSES.—Section 2(b) (29 U.S.C. 2201(b)) is amended to read as follows: "(b) PURPOSES. —The purposes of this Act are as follows: "(1) To provide financial assistance to the States to support systems change and advocacy activities designed to assist each State in developing and implementing a consumer-responsive comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages, that is designed to—
 * (C) information among individuals with disabilities

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