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Harkin Disability Policy Update for October 2004
Table of Contents for October 2004:
(1) HARKIN APPLAUDS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE REAL-TIME CAPTIONING OF U.S. SENATE HEARINGS
(2) SENATE PASSES GREGG, HARKIN ASSISTIVE TECHOLOGY BILL
HARKIN APPLAUDS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE REAL-TIME CAPTIONING OF U.S. SENATE HEARINGS
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Senate, has launched a pilot program to examine the feasibility and cost of providing real-time captioning of Senate committee hearings. This service will make hearings more accessible for persons with hearing disabilities. Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and ranking member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) have led the committee’s work in implementing this pilot project, which will rely on cutting-edge voice recognition technology that is new to the marketplace.
WASHINGTON - As author of the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA), landmark legislation that protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) issued the following statement:
“I commend efforts by Senator Hatch and Senator Leahy to launch a real-time closed captioning pilot program for Senate hearings. This is a critical first step in enhancing the ability of all Americans to follow and participate in the important work that goes on in Senate committee hearings.
“Over the years, it has been a privilege to work with many dedicated Congressional staff, advocates, and constituents who are deaf or hard of hearing. They have often expressed their frustration that the Senate committee hearings are not captioned. This makes it difficult for them to do their jobs or follow legislative activity that is important to them. The closed-captioning pilot project will begin to break down that barrier to full participation and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in the area of government proceedings. I look forward to the quick evaluation of this new program and expansion to all Senate committees.”
SENATE PASSES GREGG, HARKIN BILL TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate late Thursday agreed unanimously to legislation by Sen. Judd Gregg, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) which improves and extends federal programs that help individuals with disabilities access services and devices.
The Assistive Technology Act Reauthorization provides funds, improves access and fosters better systems for administering the program. Assistive technology is generally defined as any kind of device or service that assists persons with disabilities in performing day-to-day tasks and activities.
“Assistive technology opens doors of opportunity for persons with disabilities and advances the promise of the ADA,” said Harkin. “This bill will ensure that people with disabilities and older Americans know about assistive technology and can use it on the job, in schools and in their homes and communities. Our legislation invests in technology for those who truly need it.”
“This program is relatively small, but to those who benefit, it can be life changing,” Gregg said. “Individuals with a range of disabilities – from hearing loss to motor skill impairment – can with a small amount of individualized assistance, have the opportunity to lead fuller, more productive lives. This bill improves access to assistance by fostering public-private partnerships, improving access to technology and stabilizing state funding streams so devices and services are within reach of individuals with disabilities.”
The House passed similar legislation earlier this year. The Senate-passed version reflects several additions and technical changes with the expectation that the House will now pass the same version and send the bill directly to the President for signature.
The Assistive Technology Act of 2004:
- Strengthens the existing successful state Assistive Technology programs.
- Authorizes additional resources so each state will receive $410,000 minimum for the state program and $50,000 minimum for protection and advocacy services.
- Ensures that technology will be available where people need it – in schools, on the job and in the community – by refocusing training and technical assistance and emphasizing the provision of assistive technology devices and services.
- Requires programs to provide device demonstration, equipment loan, device reutilization/recycling and financing systems such as low interest loan programs.
- Focuses training and technical assistance to improve service planning for individuals with disabilities and ensure that service providers have information on assistive technology.
- Requires states to focus on two populations: students with disabilities receiving transition services and adults with disabilities maintaining or transitioning to community living. This aligns the AT Act with recent federal priorities, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities integration mandate in the Olmstead decision.
- Authorizes projects of national significance to increase public awareness and encourage research and development.
- Improves technical assistance, data collection, and the public internet site.
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