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Harkin Disability Policy Update for July 2004
June 2004
Table of Contents for July 2004:
(1) HARKIN, GREGG INTRODUCE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT
(2) HARKIN TRIBUTE TO MATTIE STEPANEK
HARKIN, GREGG INTRODUCE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT
WASHINGTON- Sen. Judd Gregg, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health,Education, Labor and Pensions, and Sen.Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced a bill to improve and extend federal programs that help individuals with disabilities to access services and devices.
The Assistive Technology Act Reauthorization would provide funds,improve access and foster 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.
"This program is a relatively small program, 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."
"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 and those who truly need it."
The Assistive Technology Act of 2004:
- Strengthens the existing successful state Assistive Technology programs.
- Authorizes additional resources so each state will receive $500,000 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 one of three target populations: students with disabilities and educators, adult service provider clients and providers, or employees and employment providers. This aligns the AT Act with recent federal priorities, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Workforce Investment Act and the Americans with Disabilities integration mandate in Olmstead.
- Provides supplemental grants for alternate finance programs and equipment loan programs.
- Authorizes projects of national significance to increase public awareness, encourage research and development, and improve personnel preparation on assistive technology issues.
- Improves technical assistance, data collection, and the public internet site.
- Authorizes a comprehensive national study of the assistive technology industry.
HARKIN TRIBUTE TO MATTIE STEPANEK
MR. HARKIN: Mr. President, I ask the United States Senate to join me in tribute to Mattie Stepanek, a young man who accomplished so much, and sadly, was taken from us this past Tuesday, June 22nd, at the age of thirteen years. Like his three older siblings, Mattie died from complications of a rare form of muscular dystrophy.
As anyone can testify who has seen Mattie on television, he was one brilliant person, and he had a big heart to match. At the age of three, he began writing poetry to cope with the death of his brother, writing messages of hope and inspiration, and selling millions of books. Mattie quickly became one of the most widely read poets in recent memory, and three of his volumes were on the New York Times' best-seller list.
I'd like to share one of Mattie's most inspirational poems.
"On Being a Champion"
A champion is a winner,
A hero...
Someone who never gives up
Even when the going gets rough.
A champion is a member of
A winning team...
Someone who overcomes challenges
Even when it requires creative solutions
A champion is an optimist,
A hopeful spirit...
Someone who plays the game,
Even when the game is called life...
Especially when the game is called life.
There can be a champion in each of us,
If we live as a winner,
If we live as a member of the team,
If we live with a hopeful spirit,
For life."Mattie was a champion in every sense of the word and his poetry won the hearts of many admirers, from Oprah Winfrey to former President Carter. But famous or not, it seemed to matter little to Mattie, who said, "It's our inner beauty, our message, the songs in our hearts."
Mattie embodied the unlimited potential within all of us, and I hope that Mattie's mother, Judi Stepanek, will find some strength in knowing that Mattie inspired and touched so many people. We offer Judi a special place in our hearts, knowing there is nothing harder than losing a child. And we pray that she be given the strength, courage and wisdom needed to get through this difficult time.
Mattie believed his mission in life was to "spread peace in the world." And, today, I say to Mattie and to all who loved him: Mission accomplished.
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