The assistive technology act of 1998 defines assistive technology as any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Findings and purposes, assistive technology act of 1998, finding 3 the assistive technology act was first passed by congress and signed by the president as the technologyrelated assistance act of 1988. On february 1, 2001, president bush announced the new freedom initiative a comprehensive program to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society by increasing access to assistive and universally designed technologies, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and promoting increased access into daily community life. There is a wide range of assistive technology at services and devices to which a child may be entitled. This report constitutes a combined 3year annual report for the assistive technology at state grant program, authorized under title i of the at act of 1998 public law 105394. State grant programs directs the secretary of education to provide continuity grants, for assistive technology at for individuals with disabilities, to states that have received less than ten years of funding under the technologyrelated assistance for individuals with disabilities act of 1988. To support programs of grants to states to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. This law defines assistive technology as any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customized, that increases, maintains or improves. The association of assistive technology act programs atap is a national, memberbased nonprofit organization, comprised of state assistive technology act programs funded under the assistive technology act at act. From fiscal year fy 2000 to fy 2004, federal oversight of the afp was provided by the national institute on disability and rehabilitation research in the office of special education and rehabilitative services osers, the u. Association of assistive technology act programs atap april 2016. The role of assistive technology in supporting disabled. Atap facilitates the coordination of state at programs nationally and provides technical assistance and support to its members. Assistive technology act center for parent information.
Iatps lead agency is the illinois department of human services, division of rehabilitation services. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the united states of america in congress assembled, section 1. Federal legislation and assistive technology ocali. It forms the basis for the assistive technology act, signed into law in 1998 amended 2004. The formal definition of assistive technology comes from the assistive technology act of 1998 which was amended in 2004, and states that it is 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. A bill to support programs of grants to states to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.
To amend the assistive technology act of 1998 to support programs of grants to states to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. Congress was charged with reauthorizing the assistive technology act of 1998, public. The assistive technology act of 1998 is also known as the tech act. Assistive technology at is defined by the technology related assistance for individuals with disabilities act of 1988 as any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to.
The commitment of the united states to the development and utilization of technology is one of the main factors underlying the strength and vibrancy of the economy. The federal government has granted minnesota money for two alternative financing programs. Iatps mission is to increase access to and the acquisition of assistive technology at devices and services for individuals of all ages with disabilities. An act to amend the assistive technology act of 1998 to support programs of grants to states to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. Assistive technology act center for parent information and. Assistive technology act of 1998, as amended at act authorizes grants to support programs that increase knowledge about, access to and acquisition of assistive technology at devices and services for. Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or. The following are the presentday idea regulations addressing at. Catada is a collaborative project of the institute for community inclusion ici at umass boston and the illinois assistive technology project iatp. At act data brief center for assistive technology act.
The term assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system. The assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services osers proposes a priority under section 4b2d of the assistive technology act of 1998, as amended, administered by the rehabilitation services administration rsa. Exploring assistive technology as a potential beneficial. Federal register assistive technology act of 1998, as. Assistive technology acl administration for community living. The secretary intends to use the grant slate developed for the at act afp in fiscal year fy 2005 to make new grant awards in fy 2006. The methodology of this study was based on moher et al. This law affirms that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to. Assistive technology illinois state board of education. All 50 states, the district of columbia, puerto rico, and four territories have state grant projects.
Assistive technology acts provide federal funding from the u. This act replaced the technology related assistance for individuals with disabilities act of 1988, which was also known as the tech act. The use of assistive technology to reduce caregiver burden. Assistive technology act of 1998 wikisource, the free. In president bill clintons assistive technology act 1998, it was defined in a way that is consistent with the development and use of assistive technologies around the world. Assistive technology act of 1998 establishes a grant program to provide federal funds to support state programs that address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities help america vote act of 2002 mandates improvements to voting systems and. Meeting the evidence challenge 2 the law also defines at services to encompass and support the selection, acquisition, and use of at including evaluation and training for student, family and professionals. Catada provides technical assistance and supports to state assistive technology at programs funded under section 4 of the assistive technology act of 1998, as amended p. The illinois assistive technology program iatp is the nonprofit organization designated as the statewide at program funded under the assistive technology act of 1998, as amended. Public law 105394 105th congress an act to support programs of grants to states to address the assistive technology needs nov. The provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services enables some individuals with disabilities to. Assistive technology act of 1998title iii wikisource. Which of the following play a critical role in a students ability to. The use of assistive technology in rehabilitation and beyond.
History of assistive technology outcomes in education. Perceptions of using assistive technology for students with disabilities in the classroom areej ahmed department of special education, teacher education ohio university, athens, 45701. The assistive technology act of 1998 at act of 1998 the at act of 1998 authorized several grant programs intended to increase access to and provision of at devices and services for individuals of all ages with disabilities. About illinois assistive technology program the illinois assistive technology program iatp is the nonprofit organization designated as the statewide at program funded under the assistive technology act of 1998, as amended. Summary of assistive technology act of 1998, as amended 21004. Assistive technology outcomes and benefits assistive technology outcomes. Edyburn 2004b suggests that while these definitions of. At includes the services necessary to get and use the devices. The at act requires that an annual report containing the following information on the at state grant. It is important for families to understand how federal laws affect their childs right to at. Law 105394, during the 108th session of congress 20022004, and.
The 1998 law reaffirmed that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the. Assistive technology at is any item, device, or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functionality of people with disabilities, allowing them to be more independent in education, employment, recreation, and daily living activities. Catada publications center for assistive technology act. Cecs summary of the assistive technology law council for. The 2004 amendments to the assistive technology act of 1998 supports state efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities through. Which of the following laws listed in the article assistive technology laws. Then, in 2004, congress amended the assistive technology act.
Think of the assistive technology act as a tree deep rooted in origin, constantly growing and changing, branching out, full of. These programs provide lowinterest loans to minnesotans with disabilities to purchase assistive technology devices and services which will provide a more independent lifestyle. In fy 2005, federal oversight was transferred to the. In 1998, the act was renamed the assistive technology act. Findings and purposes, assistive technology act of 1998, finding 3. Current legal issues involving assistive technology. Assistive technology at is defined as any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Oregons statewide assistive technology program oregons statewide assistive technology program was established in 1990, and is a part of a national network of technology related assistance programs to increase access to assistive technology at devices and services for individuals with disabilities and their families, and to facilitate the development of a consumerresponsive at service. The assistive technology reauthorization act of 2004 congress was charged with reauthorizing the assistive technology act of 1998, public law 105394, during the 108th session of congress 20022004, and on october 25, 2004, president bush signed into law the new legislation that reauthorizes the assistive technology act. Assistive technology, of the assistive technology act of 1998, as amended, p. Research article open access benefits and barriers.
Its often called the tech act for short and has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998. The secretary takes this action because a significant number of highquality applications remain on the last years grant slate and limited funding is available. The assistive technology act of 2004 states that technology is one of the primary engines for economic activity, education, and innovation in the nation, and throughout the world. The assistive technology act of 1998 as amended public law 108364 amends the assistive technology act of 1998 to support programs of grants to states to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. Department of education to each state and territory to support state efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities of all ages through comprehensive statewide programs of technology related assistance. The at act of 1998 was reauthorized again in 2004, where it was endorsed by both the house and senate. Assistive technology act of 1998, as amendedassistive technology. Perceptions of using assistive technology for students.