Assistive Technology Information Act of 1998

[F. Pennell]

Beth.  Thank you for asking about this bill which was introduced by
Representatives Deal & Gingrich and would have created a national website
on assistive technology with links to state Tech Act project websites. The
Bill was referred to House Committee on Education & the Workforce and its
contents were then incorporated into the body of the Assistive Technology
Act(ATA) of 1998.  That Act passed both houses of Congress and was signed
by the President in November of 1998.  Funding for the ATA was
incorporated in a different Bill, the Omnibus Appropriations Act.  The
total amount provided is less than that "authorized" under the ATA and it
is not clear how that will impact program development.  However, Section
104 of the Act states that Congress "shall fund" the establishment and
maintenance of a "National Public Internet Site for the purposes of
providing . . . technical assistance and information on increased access
to assistive technology devices, assistive technology services, and other
disability-related resources."  Funding of such a site thus appears to be
mandatory.  

You can view the full text of the ATA of 98 on our website at
http://wata.org.  Note that funding was not provided for Titles II or III
of the Act.  

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.  

Francie Pennell
  *****************************************
Frances E. Pennell Policy & Funding Specialist Washington Assistive
Technology Alliance Box 357920 University of Washington Seattle,
Washington 98195-7920 (206)  685-4181 V (206)  616-1395 TTY (206)  
543-4779 FAX


On Sun, 3 Jan 1999, Beth Marsau wrote:

> 
> I'm curious about this bill.  Any discussion about it? Don't see any action
> on the House floor...
> 
> Assistive Technology Information Act of 1998 (Introduced in the
> House)[H.R.4461.IH] http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query
> 
>