§ 345.2 - What are the purposes of the State grants program for technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities?

The purposes of this program are to provide financial assistance to States to support systems change and advocacy activities designed to assist each State in developing and implementing a consumer-responsive comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages, that is designed to—

(a)(1) Increase the availability of, funding for, access to, and provision of, assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;

(2) Increase the active involvement of individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the program;

(3) Increase the involvement of individuals with disabilities and, if appropriate, their family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives, in decisions related to the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;

(4) Increase the provision of outreach to underrepresented populations and rural populations, to enable the two populations to enjoy the benefits of programs carried out to accomplish the purposes described in this section to the same extent as other populations;

(5) Increase and promote coordination among State agencies, and between State agencies and private entities, that are involved in carrying out activities under this part, particularly providing assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, that accomplish a purpose described in another paragraph of this section;

(6)(i) Increase the awareness of laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, that facilitate the availability or provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services; and

(ii) Facilitate the change of laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, that impede the availability or provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;

(7) Increase the probability that individuals with disabilities of all ages will, to the extent appropriate, be able to secure and maintain possession of assistive technology devices as these individuals make the transition between services offered by human service agencies or between settings of daily living;

(8) Enhance the skills and competencies of individuals involved in providing assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;

(9) Increase awareness and knowledge of the efficacy of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services among—

(i) Individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives;

(ii) Individuals who work for public agencies, or for private entities (including insurers), that have contact with individuals with disabilities;

(iii) Educators and related services personnel;

(iv) Technology experts (including engineers);

(v) Employers; and

(vi) Other appropriate individuals;

(10) Increase the capacity of public agencies and private entities to provide and pay for assistive technology devices and assistive technology services on a statewide basis for individuals with disabilities of all ages; and

(11) Increase the awareness of the needs of individuals with disabilities for assistive technology devices and for assistive technology services.

(b)(1) Identify Federal policies that facilitate payment for assistive technology devices and assistive technology services.

(2) Identify Federal policies that impede this payment.

(3) Eliminate inappropriate barriers to this payment.

(c) Enhance the ability of the Federal Government to provide States with—

(1) Technical assistance, information, training, and public awareness programs relating to the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services; and

(2) Funding for demonstration projects.