Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)

State AT Programs were originally established under the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988 (Tech Act).

• States were required to compete for funds and it took until 1996 to fund all states and US territories.
• The Tech Act was initially authorized as sunset legislation focusing on systems change activities to increase access to the full rangeo f assistive technology(low technology such as vision magnifiers to high technology such as powerwheel chairs).>
• AT Programs were authorized to receive 10 years of funding with states being required to take a 25% reduction in their grant award in their 9th year and a 50% reduction in their 10th year. After 10 years, programs were eligible for a 3-year continuation at a level equal to what they received in their 10th year.
• Many programs are currently operating at 50% of their highest funding level. Grant award amounts are not consistent across states, nor do they reflect population or other formulary factors.
• State AT Programs are required to serve all people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, in all environments (early intervention, K-12, post-secondary, vocational rehabilitation, community living, aging services, etc.)
• Programs are also required to serve family members, service providers, educators, therapists.

The Act was reauthorized in 1994, 1998 and 2004. With each reauthorization, the program requirements changed significantly from providing direct services, to a primary focus on systems change activities, to direct services and coordination. In 1998, the AT was reauthorized as the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act)

2004 Amendments to the AT Act of 1998

The AT Act of 1998 was reauthorized in 2004, unanimously endorsed by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Bush. The AT Act is authorized through 2010.

• The 2004 amendments to the AT Act again made significant program changes and requirements.
• All 56 states and US territories continue to be funded under the Act and the program was changed to a state formula based program
• The Department of Education is the administering agency. The 2004 amendments moved responsibility within DOE from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
• Focus of the AT Act is to improve awareness and access to assistive technology.
• Programs are still required to serve people with all types of disabilities, all ages, in all environments (school, work, home, community). However, the reauthorization added additional the requirement to serve an expanded group of targeted individuals including technology experts including web designers and procurement officials, entities that manufacture or sell assistive technology devices, allied health professionals, small business and providers of employment and training services, plus...
• Passage of the AT Act requires programs to focus on providing direct services that will support individuals with disabilities to gain access to the AT they need. The Act requires a core set of program services which will increase program consistency across the nation.
• AT Act authorizes a minimum award of $410,000 for state grants programs. Over 30% of the state programs' grant awards remain below the $410,000 minimum.

State AT Program Components & Requirements: Section 4 of the AT Act of 1998, as amended in 2004 Requires Statewide AT Programs to Implement the Following Activities

State Level Activities:

• At least 60 percent of the grant funds received by each state AT program must support the following activities:
  • State Financing Activities (including, but not limited to alternative financing programs such as those established and funded under Title I and Title III of the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988 (repealed in 1998); and Title I and Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 prior to the 2004 amendments)
  • Device Reutilization Programs
  • Device Loan Programs
  • Device Demonstration Programs

State Leadership Activities:

• A maximum of 40 percent of the State's federal allocation can be used for the following required activities
  • Training and Technical Assistance
    • General awareness
    • Skills-development training
    • Use and application training
    • Assessment and implementation training
    • Technical integrating training
    • Transition assistance - a minimum of 5 percent of the 40 percent must be directed to this area
  • Public awareness
    • Communication between providers and users
    • Dissemination of information to targeted individuals
    • Statewide information and referral system
  • Coordination and Collaboration - coordination with entities responsible for policies, procedures, or funding for AT devices and services.