Press Releases: 2004 Releases

United Cerebral Palsy Celebrates Reauthorization of Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (10/28/04)

President Bush Signed Law This Week, Passed with Strong Bi-Partisan Support

Washington, D.C., October 28, 2004 – United Cerebral Palsy, a national leader on disability issues, commends the Congress and President George W. Bush for their work to reauthorize the Assistive Technology Act.

United Cerebral Palsy particularly thanks Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI) for their outstanding leadership and setting aside partisan differences.

"The Assistive Technology Act enables countless Americans with disabilities to work and live without limits," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. "We praise President Bush and Members of Congress for working together, across party-lines, to reauthorize this meaningful legislation."

First passed in 1988, the Assistive Technology Act is the only freestanding federal law to specifically address the benefits of technology for individuals with disabilities.

United Cerebral Palsy is a leader in assistive technology programs and legal advocacy for people with disabilities and has worked closely with the Congress throughout the law’s 16 year history. Infinitec, a program of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago, is one of the leading assistive technology services in the country for people with disabilities.

Earlier this month, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City (UCP/NYC) hosted TechWorksExpo2004, a conference that brought together more than 800 professionals, private businesses, government agencies, and people with disabilities to explore emerging innovations in technology for people with disabilities.

"Assistive technology helps people with disabilities focus on their abilities, and gives them the power to control their environment: to communicate, to perform everyday tasks, to learn, to work and to be productive," said Edward R. Matthews, UCP/NYC Executive Director.

Examples of assistive technology range from custom outfitted wheelchairs that help students participate in school activities, to handheld computers that help people with brain injuries or cognitive disabilities organize their lives, to complex communication devices that provide a voice to people unable to speak.

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. Most UCP consumers are people with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Through its nationwide network, United Cerebral Palsy offers services to individuals, families and communities, such as job training and placement, physical therapy, individual and family support, early intervention, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, and instruction on how to use technology to perform everyday tasks. For more information, call (800) 872-5827.

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