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Protection & Advocacy Inc. Advancing the Rights of Californians with Disabilities |
LEGISLATION & PUBLIC 1029 J Street, Suite 150 |
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Principles for Access to Assistive
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Assistive Technology (“AT”) devices are equipment and product systems, including adaptations to existing equipment that maintain or improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities of all ages. For many individuals with disabilities, AT devices and services are necessary to enable such individuals to exercise greater control over their lives, to participate in and contribute more fully to activities in their homes, schools, places of employment and communities; to interact to a greater extent with individuals who do not have disabilities and to otherwise benefit from opportunities that are taken for granted by individuals who do not have disabilities. PRINCIPLES1. Individuals with disabilities should have sufficient access to AT devices and services in to enable them to exercise self determination and autonomy and to be more fully included and integrated into the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society and their local communities. 2. Individuals with disabilities should have effective access to information to enable them to be actively involved in decisions relating to obtaining or maintaining AT devices and services. 3. Individuals with disabilities should be able to secure and maintain possession of AT devices as they make transitions between service programs and between settings of daily living. 4. Children and adults with disabilities should have adequate access to AT devices and services needed for their well-being and health care. Examples include: (1) supporting efforts to expand the availability of medical devices through public and private health plans; (2) challenging restrictive definitions of durable medical equipment by such plans; (3) advocating for removal of unreasonable price caps on medical devices; and (4) challenging arbitrary life-time caps on some devices. 5. Students with disabilities should have access to AT devices and services that enable them to receive educational opportunities comparable to those available to nondisabled students. Examples include: (1) supporting the availability of adaptive computers and devices designed to assist students; and (2) supporting the removal of access barriers to educational technologies and educational materials utilized in schools, colleges and universities. 6. Individuals with disabilities should have access to AT devices and services that enable them to train for and pursue meaningful careers. 7. Individuals with disabilities should have access to AT devices and services that enable them to have equal access to public information. Examples include: (1) ensuring that information provided by government agencies (e.g., forms, notices, voter information pamphlets) is available in alternative formats for individuals with visual and hearing impairments; and (2) ensuring that technology devices and services available to the general public (e.g., voting machines, information kiosks, and ATMs) are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. To further these principles:1. Proposed state legislation regarding provision of technologies and/or services related to effective use of technologies should require that the needs of individuals with disabilities be considered and addressed. 2. Where a state agency promulgates new regulations, policies or procedures regarding provision of technologies and/or services related to effective use of technologies, such regulations, policies or procedures should adequately address the needs of individuals with disabilities. |
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Policy #1011.01 |
Adopted |
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