119-sres192

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 192 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 192

 Designating April 30, 2025, as ``National Assistive Technology 
 Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 April 30, 2025

 Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Designating April 30, 2025, as ``National Assistive Technology 
 Awareness Day''.

Whereas assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system 
 that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional 
 capabilities of an individual with a disability or an older adult;
Whereas an assistive technology service is any service that directly assists an 
 individual with a disability or an older adult in the selection, 
 acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device;
Whereas, in 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 
 in 4 individuals in the United States, or almost 70,000,000 individuals, 
 have a disability;
Whereas, during the 2022-2023 school year, the Department of Education reported 
 that there were more than 9,500,000 children with disabilities;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, among 
 adults 65 years of age and older, 2 in 5 have a disability;
Whereas assistive technology enables individuals with disabilities and older 
 adults to be included in their communities, including by making their 
 classrooms and workplaces more inclusive;
Whereas assistive technology devices and services are necessities, not luxury 
 items, for millions of individuals with disabilities and older adults, 
 without which they would be unable to live in their communities, access 
 education, or obtain, retain, and advance gainful, competitive, and 
 integrated employment;
Whereas the availability of assistive technology in the workplace promotes 
 economic self-sufficiency, enhances work participation, and is critical 
 to the employment of individuals with disabilities and older adults; and
Whereas State assistive technology programs support a continuum of services that 
 include--

    (1) the exchange, repair, recycling, and other reutilization of 
assistive technology devices;

    (2) device loan programs that provide short-term loans of assistive 
technology devices to individuals, employers, public agencies, and others;

    (3) the demonstration of devices to inform decision making; and

    (4) State financing to help individuals purchase or obtain assistive 
technology through a variety of initiatives, such as financial loan 
programs, leasing programs, and other financing alternatives that give 
individuals affordable, flexible options to purchase or obtain assistive 
technology: Now, therefore, be it

 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) designates April 30, 2025, as ``National Assistive 
 Technology Awareness Day''; and

    (2) commends--
        (A) assistive technology specialists and program 
 coordinators for their hard work and dedication in 
 serving individuals with disabilities in finding the 
 proper assistive technology to meet their individual 
 needs; and
        (B) professional organizations and researchers 
 dedicated to facilitating the access and acquisition of 
 assistive technology for individuals with disabilities 
 and older adults in need of assistive technology 
 devices.
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