ATA Act

The ATA-The Assistive Technology Act of 1998(commonly known as the “Tech Act”) served in implementing an act to provide financial assistance for maintaining and strengthening technology use to those with disabilities. This act increases the overall knowledge and advances in technology and helps enable people with disabilities to advance in the technical world.

Three general acts are supported but also vary from state to state.

1. State grants are allocated to provide demonstration of the technology, technical support and referral services.
2. Protection and Advocacy provided for people with disabilities. This leads to the legal sides of the act.
3. Financial assistance for disabilities.

The 2004 Amendment adhered to the 1998 but increased its knowledge base by expanding technology by allocating funding for the AT as a reliable source and increasing the minimum grant funding. This 2004 Amendment allows grant amount for the next two fiscal years and extends AT appropriations through 2010.

Ideally these acts help embrace people with disabilities and to encourage independent living, self confidence, educational advancements with technology, pursue careers in the technical world and to enjoy a fully integrated life in the United States.

Sources Cited:
http://www.section508.gov/docs/AT1998.html
http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PolicyAdvocacy/CECPolicyResources/CEC_AT_Update.pdf
http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=3&TopicID=135&DocumentID=2478