News from the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
John Boehner, Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15,  2004

          WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation authored by 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) to expand access to technology for individuals with disabilities. The bill, the Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act (H.R. 4278), was approved on June 14 by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

          “Assistive technology devices enable many individuals with disabilities to attend school, maintain gainful employment, and achieve a higher quality of life,” said McKeon. “I’m proud that my colleagues have joined together to expand access to technologies which expand individuals’ opportunity.”

          The bipartisan bill will strengthen assistive technology programs by refocusing efforts on providing more direct aid to individuals with disabilities. By requiring states to spend a bulk of their assistive technology grants on activities that directly benefit individuals with disabilities, this bipartisan bill will help guarantee that individuals have better access to assistive technology. The bill encourages states to invest in the programs that have been shown the most effective in providing assistive technology devices. These devices include a wide range of aids such as wheel chairs, voice boxes and computer hardware.

          Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), chairman of the Committee on Education & the Workforce, praised the bill’s reforms. “The common-sense changes in this reauthorization will help guarantee that fewer resources go to building bureaucracy and more to providing direct assistive to the individuals who need it to overcome the challenges of living with a disability,” said Boehner.