Below is the text of HR 4461, a bill in congress that would authorize
several million dollars over the next few years to develop a web site on
assistive technology. I have concerns about this on two levels. first,
a web site, no matter how well designed cannot substitute for an
interactive experience with someone highly familiar with adaptive
technology. Often, I find people need assistance in formulating
questions to be answered through a web search or learning what
questions to ask. Additionally, they often need existing resources
identified, not more resources. Any plan that focuses on the web as a
delivery tool may serve the net savvy while leaving everybody else in the
dust.
While we do need a national clearinghouse of the best information and
resources on assistive technology, the internet cannot be the only
mechanism of distribution of these resources. The Internet is still
overly white and mostly male with users having higher levels of income and
education. There is nearly twice the rate of disability among African
Americans as there is with whites. Most people with disabilities are
unemployed and live in poverty.
Might this be an attempt by some lawmakers to replace state tech. act
projects with a web site?
kelly
105th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4461
To amend the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities
Act of 1988 to provide for the establishment of a national public
Internet site for increased access to information on technology-related
assistance under that Act.
------------------------------
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 6, 1998
Mr. Deal of Georgia (for himself and Mr. Gingrich) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
------------------------------
A BILL
To amend the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities
Act of 1988 to provide for the establishment of a national public
Internet site for increased access to information on technology-related
assistance under that Act.
==============================
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Assistive Technology Information Act of
1998".
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) Assistive technology devices and services enable individuals with
disabilities to assume greater control over their lives and to contribute
more fully to society.
(2) Rapid advancements in assistive technology continue to provide
important new tools to help individuals with disabilities to become more
independent and participate in activities related to home, school, work,
and community.
(3) Although substantial progress has been made in both the
development of new assistive technology devices and the transfer and
adaptation of existing assistive technology, information relating to
assistive technology devices is often difficult to find and inconsistent.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish a national public
Internet site to provide to individuals with disabilities and the general
public increased access to information on technology-related assistance and
other related disability resources under title II of the Technology-Related
Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2231 et
seq.), including information on assistive technology devices and assistive
technology services.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PUBLIC INTERNET SITE FOR INCREASED ACCESS
TO INFORMATION UNDER THE TECHNOLOGY-RELATED ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1988.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Technology-Related Assistance for
Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2231 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subtitle C as subtitle D;
(2) by redesignating section 221 as section 231; and
(3) by inserting after subtitle B the following:
"Subtitle C--Internet Site for Increased Access to
Information on Technology-Related Assistance
"SEC. 221. ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNET SITE.
"(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with an institution of
higher education described in subsection (b) to establish a national public
Internet site for the purpose of providing to individuals with disabilities
and the general public increased access to information on technology-related
assistance and other related disability resources under this Act, including
information on assistive technology devices and assistive technology
services.
"(b) Institution of Higher Education.--An institution of higher education
described in this subsection is an institution of higher education that has a
curriculum focus in science and engineering at the undergraduate and graduate
education levels and that has an existing multidisciplinary research center
and with demonstrated expertise in--
"(1) assistive technology and 'intelligent agent' interactive
information dissemination systems;
"(2) managing libraries of assistive technologies and disability
resources;
"(3) delivering education, information, and referral services to
individuals with disabilities, including technology-based curriculum
development for adults with low-level reading skills;
"(4) developing cooperative partnerships with the private sector,
particularly with private sector computer software and hardware and
Internet services entities; and
"(5) advanced Internet site development and design.
"(c) Features of Internet Site.--The national public Internet site
described in subsection (a) shall contain the following features:
"(1) Any member of the public may obtain information posted on the
site at any time.
"(2) The site shall be constructed with an innovative automated
'intelligent agent' that is a diagnostic tool for assisting users in
problem definition and the selection of appropriate assistive technology
devices and assistive technology services resources.
"(3)(A) The site shall include access to a comprehensive working
library on assistive technology for all environments, including the home,
workplace, transportation, and other environments.
"(B) The site shall include resources for the largest number of
disabilities, including resources relating to low-level reading skills.
"(4) To the extent feasible, relevant private sector resources and
information shall be linked to the site under agreements developed
between the university and cooperating private sector entities.
"SEC. 222. APPLICATION.
"The Secretary may not enter into a contract under section 221 with an
institution of higher education unless the institution submits to the
Secretary an application in such form and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
"SEC. 223. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
"(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this subtitle--
"(1) $1,042,000 for fiscal year 1999;
"(2) $1,023,000 for fiscal year 2000;
"(3) $998,000 for fiscal year 2001;
"(4) $543,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
"(5) $565,000 for fiscal year 2003.
"(b) Availability.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated under
subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until expended.
"SEC. 224. DEFINITION.
"As used in this subtitle, the term 'Internet' means the international
computer network of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet-
switched data networks.".
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 231 of such Act, as redesignated by
subsection (a)(2), is amended by inserting "(except subtitle C)" after "to
carry out this title".
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