Legislative Priorities under Administration for Community Living (ACL)

  • Retrieve increases proposed in ACL’s fiscal year budget requests.
  • Return the Alternative Financing Programs’ separate funding back to the Assistive Technology Act, and align funding with the current statutory requirement.
  • Collaborate with ACL to work with CMS to issue information on the significance and efficiency of partnering with State and Territory AT Act Programs around the reutilization of AT.
  • Collaborate with ACL and CMS to include AT funding for devices and assessments through Medicaid waivers.

Legislative Priorities with Congress

  • Support advocacy and public policy efforts that support access to assistive technology, drive innovation, and build the capacity of AT Act Programs.
  • Prioritize keeping the AT Act authorized beyond 2027.
  • Ensure that relevant legislation includes an emphasis on partnering with Assistive Technology Act Programs.
  • Actively support and advocate for legislation that furthers accessibility, universal design, and assistive technology.
  • Ensure the definition of assistive technology, codified in the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act, is referenced in various pieces of legislation.

Funding Priorities

  • Increase the baseline of funding for the Assistive Technology Act
  • Increase funding for the U.S Access Board.

Programmatic Priorities

  • Work to collect data on the need for assistive technology nationwide or the lack of access to assistive technology.
  • Support and encourage coordination/collaboration with AT Act Programs and outside partnerships that include but are not limited to: State Medicaid Agencies, AAAs, DD Councils, Independent Living, State Education Agencies, etc.
  • Work to influence International policies relating to accessibility, universal design and assistive technology.