PRINTER'S NO. 1758
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
356
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, TARTAGLIONE, DINNIMAN, FONTANA, BREWSTER,
SABATINA, BROWNE, SCHWANK, FARNESE, VULAKOVICH, MENSCH,
RAFFERTY AND COSTA, MAY 21, 2018
REFERRED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, MAY 21, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the importance of ensuring access to technology and
information for individuals with cognitive disabilities.
WHEREAS, Approximately 28 million people in the United States
have cognitive disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities,
persistent mental illness, brain injury, stroke and
neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease; and
WHEREAS, People with cognitive disabilities are entitled to
inclusion in our democratic society under Federal laws, such as
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Developmental
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and under various State and
local laws; and
WHEREAS, The convergence of computing and communication
technologies has substantially altered how people acquire,
utilize and disseminate knowledge and information; and
WHEREAS, People with cognitive disabilities must have access
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to commercially available devices and software that incorporate
principles of universal design, such as flexibility and ease of
use for all; and
WHEREAS, Technology and information access by people with
cognitive disabilities must be guided by standards and best
practices, such as personalization and compatibility access
devices and platforms and through the application of innovation,
including automated and predictive technologies; and
WHEREAS, Security and privacy must be assured and managed to
protect civil rights and personal dignity of people with
cognitive disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Enhanced public and private funding is urgently
required to allow people with cognitive disabilities to utilize
technology and access information as a part of their right to
inclusion in our society; and
WHEREAS, Strong public policies help to guarantee access to
technology and information for people with cognitive
disabilities and their families; and
WHEREAS, Ensuring access to technology and information for
the 28 million people with cognitive disabilities in the United
States will create new markets and employment opportunities,
decrease dependency on public services, reduce healthcare costs
and improve the independence, productivity and quality of life
for people with cognitive disabilities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the importance of
ensuring access to technology and information for individuals
with cognitive disabilities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate affirm our commitment to equal
rights for people with cognitive disabilities to technology and
information access and call for implementation of such rights
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with deliberate speed; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Governor of Pennsylvania and to each member of Congress from
Pennsylvania.
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