The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) recently sponsored a congressional briefing on “Assistive Technology and Independence: Achieving Education, Community Living, Employment and Health and Fitness.” Assistive technology facilitates activities of daily living that people with disabilities of all ages can benefit from. Assistive technology must be provided in a variety of settings, including school, work, the community and home. The importance of assistive technology for people with disabilities can be easily overlooked. The CCD suggested ways that members of Congress can support access to assistive technology, accessible information and communication technology for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. These include:
- Increase funding for the Assistive Technology Act
- Protect Medicaid from any cuts or imposed funding caps
- Support and cosponsor H.R. 1361/S. 486 to create a permanent exemption from Medicare’s competitive bidding program for complex rehab wheelchairs and essential components required by people with disabilities.
- Support The Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2017, H.R. 2050.
- Support and co-sponsor the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act, H.R. 2465/S.1132
- Urge the Department of Justice to issue final regulations on web accessibility applicable to state and local government (Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA) and public accommodations (Title III of the ADA) that include a requirement to conform to Level AA Success Criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.
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