Overview

Title

Designating April 17, 2024, as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.

ELI5 AI

S. RES. 594 is a special day on April 17, 2024, called "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day" to help people understand how tools and gadgets can make life easier for those with disabilities. It says thank you to those who help make these helpful tools available.

Summary AI

S. RES. 594 designates April 17, 2024, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day" in the United States. The resolution highlights the importance of assistive technology, which includes tools and services that help people with disabilities and older adults improve their daily lives and participate in their communities. It emphasizes the necessity of these technologies for individuals to live independently, gain employment, and access education. The Senate commends the efforts of specialists, coordinators, organizations, and researchers who work to provide access to assistive technology.

Published

2024-03-19
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-03-19
Package ID: BILLS-118sres594is

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
1
Words:
189
Pages:
3
Sentences:
7

Language

Nouns: 63
Verbs: 13
Adjectives: 10
Adverbs: 0
Numbers: 11
Entities: 15

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.45
Average Sentence Length:
27.00
Token Entropy:
4.28
Readability (ARI):
16.14

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed resolution designates April 17, 2024, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day" in the United States. This day aims to raise awareness about the critical role that assistive technology plays in supporting individuals with disabilities and older adults. Assistive technology includes any equipment or device that helps to improve the functional capabilities of these individuals. The resolution acknowledges the significant contributions of those who work in this field, such as assistive technology specialists and program coordinators, as well as the organizations that facilitate access to these technologies.

Summary of Significant Issues

One of the primary issues with the bill is that it may be perceived as largely symbolic, with no clear objectives or direct outcomes attached to the designation of an awareness day. The resolution lacks detailed guidelines or objectives for the practical implementation or support of assistive technology. Additionally, the bill does not specify any funding or resources that would be allocated to support the initiatives mentioned, leaving questions about how these efforts might be financially sustained.

Another concern is the vague definition of who qualifies as an "assistive technology specialist" or a "professional organization," which could result in certain groups being overlooked or unjustly favored. Moreover, the absence of specified metrics for measuring the success or impact of the awareness day initiatives could hinder accountability and evaluation.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, the designation of a national awareness day seeks to emphasize the importance of assistive technology and bring attention to the resources available for individuals who require these devices. For the general public, this could foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by people with disabilities and older adults, potentially encouraging more inclusive attitudes and practices.

Impact on Stakeholders

For individuals with disabilities and older adults, the resolution could have a positive impact by highlighting the importance of assistive technology and potentially improving access to these resources. It recognizes the essential nature of these devices and services in facilitating community participation, education access, and employment opportunities.

For professionals working in the field of assistive technology, the awareness day may serve to acknowledge and validate their efforts, boosting morale and encouraging continued dedication. However, without clear guidelines and definitions, there is a risk of certain professionals or organizations being excluded or underappreciated.

In conclusion, while the resolution aims to shine a spotlight on the vital role of assistive technology, its lack of specificity and tangible objectives could limit its effectiveness in bringing about meaningful change or resource allocation.

Issues

  • The designation of a 'National Assistive Technology Awareness Day' might be seen as lacking clear objectives or direct outcomes, which could be considered a symbolic gesture without tangible impacts. This issue arises from the lack of defined goals and metrics for the awareness day noted in Section (1).

  • The text commends specific groups but does not provide clear guidelines or objectives for the implementation or support of assistive technology, leading to potential ambiguity in execution. Section (1) mentions commendations but omits implementation strategies or support frameworks.

  • There is a lack of detail regarding any funding or resources that may be allocated in support of the initiatives mentioned, raising potential concerns about future budget implications or resource allocation. Since the bill text does not explicitly address this, it is related to the general concerns raised in Section (1).

  • The scope of who qualifies as 'assistive technology specialists and program coordinators' and 'professional organizations and researchers' is not clearly defined, which could lead to favoritism or exclusion of certain groups. Section (1) highlights this by commending these groups without specific criteria.

  • The text does not specify any metrics for measuring the success or impact of the initiatives related to assistive technology awareness, which could make accountability and evaluation challenging. This concern is connected to the issues of vagueness and lack of measurable objectives as noted in Section (1).

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

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Summary AI

The Senate has declared April 17, 2024, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day" to recognize the important contributions of assistive technology specialists and organizations that help people with disabilities and older adults access the technology they need.