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Access Technology Affordability Act
*Issue—*The cost of critically needed access technology is out of
reach for most blind Americans.
The high cost of access technology creates a difficult economic
reality.
Most access technology ranges from $1,000 to $6,000. For example, a
leading screen reader is $900, a popular Braille note taker is $5,495,
one model of a refreshable Braille display is $2,795, and a moderately
priced Braille embosser is $3,695. According to the United States Census
Bureau 71 percent of blind Americans are either unemployed or
underemployed.[1] Consequently, most blind Americans do not have
sufficient financial resources needed to purchase these items.[2] These
financial barriers can ultimately lead to a loss of employment,
insufficient education, or even isolation from community activities.
Medical insurance will not cover the cost of access technology.
Current definitions of "medical care," "medical necessity," and "durable
medical equipment" within common insurance policies do not include
access technology. These definitions were adopted in the 1960s “when
medical care was viewed primarily as curative and palliative, with
little or no consideration given to increasing an individual's
functional status.”[3] Many states’ Medicaid programs and individual
health insurance plans have adopted similar definitions and likewise
will not cover the cost of access technology.[4]
Access technology enables blind Americans to participate in
today’s workforce.
Blindness is well-defined and measurable,[5] but affects each person
differently and at different ages. Since individuals’ needs differ,
manufacturers have designed various tools that enable each blind
American to perform tasks that they were once unable to accomplish
themselves due to their blindness. Braille note takers are frequently
used in schools, screen reading software allows workers to check their
email at home, and screen magnification software can help seniors losing
vision learn about community activities. Access technology equips blind
Americans to seek employment and stay employed. For the 71percent of
blind Americans who are either unemployed or underemployed, it is a
vehicle that facilitates the job seeking process. Despite this critical
need however, public and private entities struggle to meet consumer
demand.[6] This leads to untimely delays in the delivery of necessary
technology and ultimately harms the blind consumer.
*Solution—*The Access Technology Affordability Act:
Makes access technology more affordable so that blind Americans
can procure these items for themselves.
It establishes a refundable tax credit for blind Americans in the amount
of $2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of
access technology. The credit created by ATAA will sunset after five
years, and will be indexed for inflation.
Provides flexibility for individuals to obtain access technology
based upon their specific needs.
Accessibility requires an individualized assessment of one’s own skills
and needs. Therefore, blind Americans should be given the opportunity to
procure access technology on their own to ensure that they are receiving
the tools that are most useful for them.
Historically, Congress has implemented tax incentives (e.g.,
Disabled Access Credit) for business owners required to make
accommodations, including access technology, for employees and
patrons with disabilities.
Even though Congress created these tax incentives to increase
accessibility in the community, these incentives are underutilized.[7]
Meanwhile, blind Americans primarily depend on public and private
entities to procure access technology for them.
*Goal—*Improve affordability of critically needed access technology
necessary for employment and independent living.
More Information
For more information on the Access Technology Affordability Act, contact:
Kimie Eacobacci, Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of
the Blind
Phone: 410-659-9314, extension 2441
Email: keacobacci@nfb.org <mailto:keacobacci@nfb.org>
Learn more about the National Federation of the Blind's 2019 legislative
agenda <https://nfb.org/2019-legislative-agenda/>.
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[1] See 2016 American Community Survey, www.disabilitystatistics.org.
[2] Erickson, W., Lee, C., von Schrader, S. (2016). "Disability
Statistics from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS)." Ithaca, NY:
Cornell University Employment and Disability Institute (EDI). Retrieved
November 11, 2016, from www.disabilitystatistics.org.
[3] National Council on Disability, “Federal Policy Barriers to
Assistive Technology,” (May 31, 2000) 8,
http://www.ncd.gov/rawmedia_repository/c9e48e89_261b_4dda_bc74_203d5915519f.pdf.
[4] Assistive Technology Industry Associates, “AT Resources Funding
Guide,”
https://www.atia.org/at-resources/what-is-at/resources-funding-guide/
(last accessed December 10, 2018).
[5] See 26 U.S.C § 63(f)(4).
[6] See e.g. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services and
Disability Research, “Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request,”
https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget19/justifications/i-rehab.pdf,
p. I-63.
[7] U.S. Gen. Accounting Office, Business Tax Incentives: Incentives to
Employ Workers with Disabilities Receive Limited use and have an
Uncertain Impact 1, at 14, (Dec. 12, 2002)
http://www.unclefed.com/GAOReports/d0339_sum.pdf.
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