MORE NEWS FROM KELLY RIPKO

From: Brian Buhrow (buhrow@lothlorien.nfbcal.org)
Date: Wed Aug 19 1998 - 00:07:12 PDT


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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