Americans with Disabilities Dealt Blow by President’s Budget

Beth Mineo, DATI Director

Millions of Americans with disabilities were dealt a huge blow in early February with the release of the President's FY 2006 Budget. Among the programs devastated by the budget were the state Assistive Technology Programs, which the President proposed to eliminate completely. This blow is especially ironic because Congress passed, and the President signed, the new Assistive Technology Act of 2004 just a few months ago. The new law mandated that states offer a variety of AT supports, including equipment demonstrations, equipment loans, equipment recycling programs, and alternate financing for AT.

With compelling evidence that state AT Programs benefit communities, the economy, businesses, and people with disabilities, Congress worked hard to see that critical assistive technology programs could operate in every state and US territory. The legislation, passed with unanimous bi-partisan support, sent a clear message that our government supports a federal investment in people with disabilities. While the President's budget delivered a devastating blow, Congress has the power to remedy the situation through its own budgeting process.

The Chairs of the Bipartisan Disability Caucus in the House recently wrote a letter to the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee requesting $29.8 million for programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act. Forty members of Congress—33 Democrats and 7 Republicans—added their signatures to this request. It is important that members of Delaware's Congressional delegation—Senator Biden, Senator Carper, and Representative Castle—hear from Delaware residents about what would be lost if funding is not restored. DATI would not be able to continue the operation of the Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs) in each county, eliminating opportunities for no-cost consultation, training, equipment demonstration, and short-term loan of equipment. This newsletter would cease publication, and program features like the Equipment Exchange, the Funding Guide, and the website would not be sustained. No other entities at the state level are positioned to provide these services to people with disabilities, of all ages, in all environments.

The most effective ways to reach Delaware's congressional delegation are via phone, fax, or email. Regular mail is discouraged because of frequent disruptions and delays in delivery due to security issues. Word from Washington is that spending bills are on the fast-track, so make your opinion known without delay!

Contact information for Delaware's Delegation:

Senator Joseph Biden
U.S. Senate
201 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0001
Ph: (202) 224-5042
Fax: (202) 224-0139
TDD: (202) 224-5652
senator@biden.senate.gov
http://biden.senate.gov/

Senator Thomas Carper
U.S. Senate
513 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0001
Ph: (202) 224-2441
Fax: (202) 228-2190
Web form: carper.senate.gov/email-form.html
http://carper.senate.gov/

Representative Michael Castle
U.S. House of Representatives
1233 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0001
Ph: (202) 225-4165
Fax: (202) 225-2291
Web form: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.house.gov/castle/