§ 3002. Definitions
In this chapter:
(1)
Adult service program
The term “adult service program” means a program that provides services to, or is otherwise substantially involved with the major life functions of, individuals with disabilities. Such term includes—
(A)
a program providing residential, supportive, or employment services, or employment-related services, to individuals with disabilities;
(B)
a program carried out by a center for independent living, such as a center described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.);
(C)
a program carried out by an employment support agency connected to adult vocational rehabilitation, such as a one-stop partner, as defined in section
2801 of this title; and
(2)
American Indian consortium
The term “American Indian consortium” means an entity that is an American Indian Consortium (as defined in section 102 of Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002)), and that is established to provide protection and advocacy services for purposes of receiving funding under subtitle C of title I of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15041 et seq.).
(3)
Assistive technology
The term “assistive technology” means technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or assistive technology service.
(4)
Assistive technology device
The term “assistive technology device” means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
(5)
Assistive technology service
The term “assistive technology service” means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes—
(A)
the evaluation of the assistive technology needs of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the impact of the provision of appropriate assistive technology and appropriate services to the individual in the customary environment of the individual;
(B)
a service consisting of purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;
(C)
a service consisting of selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, replacing, or donating assistive technology devices;
(D)
coordination and use of necessary therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as therapies, interventions, or services associated with education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
(E)
training or technical assistance for an individual with a disability or, where appropriate, the family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of such an individual;
(F)
training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services and entities that manufacture or sell assistive technology devices), employers, providers of employment and training services, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities; and
(6)
Capacity building and advocacy activities
The term “capacity building and advocacy activities” means efforts that—
(A)
result in laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, or organizational structures that promote consumer-responsive programs or entities; and
(B)
facilitate and increase access to, provision of, and funding for, assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, in order to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion within the community and the workforce.
(7)
Comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance
The term “comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance” means a consumer-responsive program of technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities, implemented by a State, and equally available to all individuals with disabilities residing in the State, regardless of their type of disability, age, income level, or location of residence in the State, or the type of assistive technology device or assistive technology service required.
(8)
Consumer-responsive
The term “consumer-responsive”—
(A)
with regard to policies, means that the policies are consistent with the principles of—
(i)
respect for individual dignity, personal responsibility, self-determination, and pursuit of meaningful careers, based on informed choice, of individuals with disabilities;
(ii)
respect for the privacy, rights, and equal access (including the use of accessible formats) of such individuals;
(B)
with respect to an entity, program, or activity, means that the entity, program, or activity—
(i)
is easily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities and, when appropriate, their family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives;
(iii)
facilitates the full and meaningful participation of individuals with disabilities (including individuals from underrepresented populations and rural populations) and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, in—
(9)
Disability
The term “disability” means a condition of an individual that is considered to be a disability or handicap for the purposes of any Federal law other than this chapter or for the purposes of the law of the State in which the individual resides.
(10)
Individual with a disability; individuals with disabilities
(12)
Protection and advocacy services
The term “protection and advocacy services” means services that—
(A)
are described in subtitle C of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15041 et seq.), the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.), or section 509 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794e); and
(14)
State
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “State” means each of the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(15)
State assistive technology program
The term “State assistive technology program” means a program authorized under section
3003 of this title.
(16)
Targeted individuals and entities
The term “targeted individuals and entities” means—
(A)
individuals with disabilities of all ages and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives;
(C)
individuals who work for public or private entities (including centers for independent living described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.), insurers, or managed care providers) that have contact, or provide services to, with individuals with disabilities;
(D)
educators at all levels (including providers of early intervention services, elementary schools, secondary schools, community colleges, and vocational and other institutions of higher education) and related services personnel;
(F)
health, allied health, and rehabilitation professionals and hospital employees (including discharge planners);
(G)
employers, especially small business employers, and providers of employment and training services;
(18)
Underrepresented population
The term “underrepresented population” means a population that is typically underrepresented in service provision, and includes populations such as persons who have low-incidence disabilities, persons who are minorities, poor persons, persons with limited English proficiency, older individuals, or persons from rural areas.
(19)
Universal design
The term “universal design” means a concept or philosophy for designing and delivering products and services that are usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities, which include products and services that are directly accessible (without requiring assistive technologies) and products and services that are interoperable with assistive technologies.