President Bush Signs Assistive Technology Act

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Deborah Buck

October 26, 2004

dbuck@...dbuck@...>

President Signs Assistive Technology Act

Victory for Millions of People with Disabilities Who Strive for Independence

(Washington, DC) President Bush yesterday signed the Assistive Technology

Act of 2004, which will ensure that individuals with disabilities throughout

the US and its territories have access to the technology they need to help

them be independent in school, at home, the workplace and in the community.

This legislation represents an important commitment to people with

disabilities from the President and the Congress.

Millions of people with disabilities rely on assistive technology to help

them gain and maintain independence. Every state and US territory has an

Assistive Technology Act Program (AT Program) funded under the provisions of

the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. Legislation supporting the

State AT Programs was scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2004. The AT Act

of 2004 supports the continuance of State AT Programs and eliminates the

sunset provision. By eliminating the sunset provision, the government sent

a clear signal that it supports a federal investment for people with

disabilities, which will pay off for communities, the economy, businesses

and people with disabilities.

" The impressive bi-partisan effort of Congress to ensure the continuation of

these vital programs is heartening for people with disabilities and the

programs that serve them, " said Deborah Buck, Executive Director,

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs. " We are so pleased with

the bipartisan bi-cameral leadership of Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), Rep.

Boehner (R-OH), Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Sen. Tom

Harkin (D-IA), Sen. Pat (R-KS) and Sen. Kennedy (D-MA). When

the Congress puts aside partisanship in order to address the needs of people

with disabilities, it is a victory for all Americans. "

The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) worked for

several years to educate Congress about the significance of the Act in the

lives of people with disabilities. Joined by other national disability

organizations, technology companies and business representatives, ATAP

shared with Congress the many successes of the programs and the difference

the law can make for people with disabilities. ATAP salutes the Congress

and the President for their important work in reauthorizing this law and

removing the sunset provision.

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The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) is a national,

member-based organization comprised of state Assistive Technology Programs

funded under the Assistive Technology Act.

http://www.ataporg.orghttp://www.ataporg.org/>