	March 1998

NIDRR Public Forum

TAP's Director Testifies in Public Hearing Held Before the National Insititute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Comments submitted by
Paul Rasinski,
Director, MD TAP
January 15, 1998
Dr. Seelman, distinguished members of the panel, thank you for the opportunity to address you and air some thoughts for discussion.

We were asked to come here today to give you our best prognostication of the future of assistive technology and the role it may play in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

The picture I see of the disability community will become more complex. As a result of addictions to many substances, and the effects our environment is having on many of us, we will witness many disabilities that were not as obvious just a few years ago. The normal results of aging will be exaggerated by the fast and free lifestyle many of us lead. The aggressive attitude our youngsters are learning in the sports they play will increase the numbers and severity of the disabilities they receive. I offer my own case as evidence. A relatively simple game of softball turned into a severe and lifelong disability after a collision at home plate.

Even with the about concerns, I feel optimistic about the situation of most individuals with disabilities because we can be certain that in the next few years creative minds will surpass the accomplishments of inventors of the past decade and beyond. Today's state-of-the-art systems will be replaced by faster and more efficient technology that stands as mere fantasies in the minds of our youngsters.

In education at all levels, students who have access to computers are learning to use new technologies to explore a whole universe of information on the screen in front of them. The offerings of the Internet are expanding even as I speak. Distance learning, where students all over the world can tune into a single instructor, is just beginning to be utilized. Satellite broadcasts beamed to remote rural areas are giving students access to information it may take a day's travel to receive normally.

In employment, many workers will be able to take advantage of advances in computer and telecommunications equipment, which will enable them to work from remote offices and their homes. Telecommuting offers a perfect opportunity for even the most severely disabled to enjoy fulfilling careers.

As we age new technological advances in medicine and medical equipment will benefit many of us by extending our capability of remaining in our own homes, with our families without being a burden. Hopefully life in the future will not be all work or just a struggle to exist for persons with disabilities. There are technologies being developed to give us a chance to relax and enjoy the time between work days. Devices for skiing down a mountain or just enjoying a good book have been created and I'm sure if there is something anyone wants to try, someone will figure out a way of accomplishing the feat.

A potential problem I see though, which may be the greatest waste of new technology and the lives of individuals with disabilities, is the possibility of a wonderful device not being utilized because someone doesn't know about it, or where to get it, or how to pay for it.

As you certainly know, the Tech Act Projects have been filling the role of informant, advocate and educator since 1989 but with the termination of funding set for September 30, 1999, many questions rise as to what will happen to the programs.

In Maryland, as in other states, we have been following the mandate of the Tech Act to establish programs and cooperative agreements that we hope will continue even if the Project is not receiving Federal funds. We have worked closely with the Division of Rehabilitation, the Department of Education, the Commission on Aging, the business community and other organizations to establish information resources, demonstration centers, systemic changes and fiscal loan programs.

These programs and agreements, although successful, may only last while the Tech Act is empowered, since most of partners receive funds contingent on the accomplishment of their mission. Realistically assistive technology is not a primary objective of many of these partners, therefore it becomes only an afterthought to their day in and day out operation.

I make the petition to you, that when funds are set up by NIDRR for projects of the future, you consider that most of the programs that the Tech Act Projects initiated were the result of answering the most outstanding needs of the disability community. As technological advances are made and the new needs of individuals with disabilities are realized, it makes better business sense to use an established program that is in place than to initiate a new program.

To this point I cite the October 7, 1997 Federal Register p.52430, which lists ED grant programs for:

Student Initiated Research
Directed Research & Technology
Demonstrations for children and youth with disabilities
Outreach for children and youth with disabilities
Personnel Preparation projects of national significance
Community Parent Resource Centers
Preparation of personnel for children with high incidence disabilities
Regional Resource Centers

Nearly 30 million dollars is proposed in grants for these new programs that are very similar to the work Tech Act Projects have been performing, for just a few million dollars a year more, since 1989. The Tech Act Projects have proven themselves to be viable organizations, you have the power and control to find the support their efforts need to continue to be the connection between persons with disabilities and assistive technology of the future.

Let us consider going into the future breaking new ground and answering new needs rather than organizing new groups to perform the tasks of yesterday.

Paul Rasinski,
Director, MD TAP

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