Washington, D.C. – Last week, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chair Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that legislation he authored to help people with disabilities live and work more independently was signed into law by President Biden as part of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA) (H.R. 7776). The bipartisan legislation, the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act (H.R. 9028), will expand access to assistive technology (AT).
“Throughout my time in public service, breaking down the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities has been a top priority and access to technology is another critical step in this process,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to have introduced this legislation with Congressman Sempolinski to help uplift individuals with disabilities and ensure they can more easily connect, work, and thrive in their communities, and I am grateful President Biden has signed it into law.”
“Whether it’s a high-tech device or something as simple as a magnifying glass, assistive technology is critical to helping people with disabilities live, work, and participate in their communities independently. As more Americans look to exercise their right to live at home, instead of institutions, the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act will take a key step to increase the quality of life, and expand work and educational opportunities, for people across the country,” said Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” (VA-03). “I am grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s and Congressman Sempolinski’s leadership on this bill.”
The provisions in the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act will increase the quality of life, and expand work opportunities, for people with disabilities through increased access to technology, equipment, and services. Specifically, the legislation:
- Facilitates access to AT by streamlining funding to focus on the four state-level activities, including state financing activities, device reutiization programs, device loan programs, and device demonstrations.
- Enhances capacity building and services for Protection & Advocacy agencies and increases the grants for states with minimum allotments once the program reaches $8 million in funding.
- Establishes technical assistance support for state-level activities and Protection & Advocacy systems.
- Encourages Innovation and Collaboration: If the amount appropriated exceeds $49 million, the legislation provides funding for “Projects of National Significance” that may focus on the needs of specific populations, such as youth in transition, or on collaboration among state agencies that provide AT and other services to people with disabilities.
Congressman DeSaulnier is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus.
