Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 1.djvu/66

 Ill STAT. 42 PUBLIC LAW 105-17-^JUNE 4, 1997 private sector that impede their full participation in the mainstream of society. "(d) PURPOSES. — The purposes of this title are— "(1)(A) to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living; "(B) to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected; and "(C) to assist States, localities, educational service agencies, and Federal agencies to provide for the education of all children with disabilities; "(2) to assist States in the implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families; "(3) to ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting systemic-change activities; coordinated research and personnel preparation; coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support; and technology development and media services; and "(4) to assess, and ensure the effectiveness of, efforts to educate children with disabilities. 20 USC 1401. "SEC. 602. DEFINITIONS. "Except as otherwise provided, as used in this Act: "(1) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE.— The term 'assistive technology device' means 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 a child with a disability. "(2) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICE.— The term 'assistive technology service' means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes— "(A) the evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment; "(B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by such child; "(C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices; "(D) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs; "(E) training or technical assistance for such child, or, where appropriate, the family of such child; and "(F) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of such child. "(3) CHILD WITH A DISABILITY. —

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