(20 ILCS 1320/1)

Sec. 1.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the

Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers Act.

(Source: P.A. 90‑428, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

(20 ILCS 1320/10)

Sec. 10.

Department of Human Services; Administrative Responsibilities.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish at least one Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Center, the first one being in a strategic downstate location, as determined by the Department, no later than July 1, 1998.

(b) The Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers shall be operated by the Department, by not‑for‑profit organizations funded through contractual arrangements with the Department using a request‑for‑proposal process, or in collaboration with other entities. The Department shall, by rule, establish standards and criteria by which the Centers shall be operated, consistent with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 90‑428, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

(20 ILCS 1320/15)

Sec. 15.

Functions of Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers. The Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers shall offer comprehensive services to persons with disabilities regarding assistive technology including, but not limited to:

(a) Comprehensive individual evaluations for a broad range of assistive technology needs for persons with all types of disabilities for use in the home, at school, in employment, and in the community;

(b) Training of consumers and appropriate family members regarding assistive technology options available to the consumer and in the proper use of assistive technology; and

(c) Training of professionals, including vocational rehabilitation counselors, school personnel, and other individuals who provide professional services to persons with disabilities and their families to make them aware of assistive technology as an alternative to more costly traditional services and to educate them regarding available assistive technology devices and their uses and costs.

(Source: P.A. 90‑428, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

(20 ILCS 1320/20)

Sec. 20.

Inventory; Trial Usage.

The Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Centers shall be required to have on hand a broad array of assistive technology in order to conduct appropriate comprehensive evaluations, to facilitate consumer, family, and professional training, and to offer consumers opportunities for usage at the Centers or in appropriate community settings.

(Source: P.A. 90‑428, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

(20 ILCS 1320/5)

Sec. 5.

Findings.

(a) There are approximately 2,200,000 persons with disabilities residing in the State of Illinois, most of whom need assistive technology for daily living, education, independence, and employment.

(b) There is a serious lack of resources within the State of Illinois, especially outside of the Chicago metropolitan area, for comprehensive evaluations, training, and hands‑on experience with assistive technology to determine the appropriateness of assistive technology for persons with disabilities before they purchase assistive technology devices.

(c) As a result of the serious lack of evaluation and training resources, a great number of persons with disabilities in Illinois will do without needed assistive technology or will purchase inappropriate assistive technology, thereby diminishing their educational and employment opportunities and increasing their dependence upon federal and State support and forcing them to unnecessarily rely upon community based resources and family members for financial support and daily living assistance.

(d) It is almost always more cost‑effective to purchase appropriate assistive technology for a person with a disability to enable that person to reach his or her potential for independent living, education, and employment than to provide public assistance and government‑funded personal care assistance for that person.

(Source: P.A. 90‑428, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

(20 ILCS 1320/7)

Sec. 7.

Definition.

As used in this Act, "assistive technology" means a service or device that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability.

(Source: P.A. 90‑428, eff. 1‑1‑98.)