Gov. Ridge said this action authorizes the NGA to advocate for legislation to
reauthorize the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994, also known as the "Tech Act." Continued
funding through the Tech Act would help break down barriers and provide new
opportunities for people with disabilities.
Gov. Ridge was the prime sponsor of this new NGA policy, which was voted on
today at the NGA's annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"I applaud my fellow governors for joining me to urge Congress to reauthorize
the Tech Act," Gov. Ridge said. "Making technology available to people with
disabilities can help us provide many of our finest citizens the opportunity
to contribute their talents to our businesses, our schools and our
communities."
The Tech Act, up for reauthorization this year, provides $36.1 million in
grants a year to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and
other U.S. territories to make assistive-technology services and equipment
available to people with disabilities. Pennsylvania receives $825,000 a year
through the Tech Act.
Pennsylvania has benefitted greatly from the grants, which are used to provide
access to technology, equipment and services that help people with
disabilities maintain or improve their quality of life. Examples of this
assistive technology include wheelchairs, braille printers, voice-activated
computer programs, training and modified workstations.
"For most people with disabilities, assistive technology is not a luxury, it's
a necessity," Gov. Ridge said. "That's why my administration is committed to
breaking down barriers that stand in the way of Pennsylvanians with
disabilities."
The Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), part of Temple
University's Institute on Disabilities, implements Tech Act projects for the
Commonwealth.
PIAT has launched projects such as a short-term equipment loan program, which
allows Pennsylvanians with disabilities to try out equipment before purchase,
and a Recycled Loan Equipment Program, which provides a list of previously
owned devices for making a purchase, sale or trade. PIAT also provides
information and referral services about assistive-technology devices. For
information about PIAT, call (800) 204-PIAT (voice) or (800) 750-PIAT (TTY).
Last year, Gov. Ridge unveiled Pennsylvania's first comprehensive, government-
wide disabilities agenda, outlining ways state government can break down the
barriers that affect persons with disabilities. The plan covers issues
involving transportation, housing, education, employment, long-term supports
and health care.
This year's state budget includes $30 million in new funds to support this
agenda, including grants for small- and medium-sized employers to purchase
assistive technology for employees with disabilities. And the state will help
create and fund a loan-guarantee program so persons with disabilities who must
borrow money to buy expensive assistive technology may receive lower interest
rates or longer repayment terms.
In June, Pennsylvania opened the Assistive Technology Lending Library at the
Hiram G. Andrews Center in Altoona. The library is a unique public- private
partnership to loan equipment to people with disabilities so they can try it
out before buying it. Gov. Ridge added nearly $800,000 to this program this
year.