Technology-Related Assistance Act Amendments of 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Grants to States

Title II: Programs of National Significance

Title III: Requirements under Head Start Act

Technology-Related Assistance Act Amendments of 1993 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (the Act) to authorize and revise the Act and its programs of grants to States and programs of national significance.

Requires as a matter of U.S. policy: (1) full participation of the individuals assisted; (2) support for involvement of their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives; and (3) support for individual and systemic advocacy and community involvement.

Title I: Grants to States - (Sec. 101) Requires grants to States to support systemic change and advocacy activities, particularly development and implementation of: (1) State, regional, and local laws and practices to improve access to and funding for assistive technology devices and services; (2) strategies to overcome barriers to funding, especially for underserved groups; and (3) strategies for enhancing the ability of individuals with disabilities, and their family members and representatives to advocate successfully for access to and funding for assistive technology devices and services. Authorizes activities to increase access to and funding for assistive technology, as well as support for individual case management or representation, interagency coordination, and outreach.

(Sec. 102) Requires the three-year development grants to support systemic change and advocacy activities in developing and implementing consumer-responsive statewide programs. Requires designation of a lead agency.

(Sec. 103) Allows award of an additional extension grant to any State demonstrating significant progress in meeting the goals of the initial extension grant, as well as describing steps it will take to continue such program on a permanent basis and future funding options for this.

(Sec. 104) Revises progress criteria and reporting requirements. Provides for change of protection and advocacy services provider.

(Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations.

Title II: Programs of National Significance - (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary of Education to conduct a pilot project to develop and test a national classification system for assistive technology devices and services.

(Sec. 202) Revises requirements for training and public awareness projects to include community-based organizations and rural areas. Requires applications to described strategies to recruit and train persons to provide technology-related assistance to increase the diversity of such persons and the numbers of individuals with disabilities and from minority groups who are able to provide such assistance.

(Sec. 203) Revises requirements for demonstration and innovation projects to provide for examination and evaluation of alternative direct loan programs.

(Sec. 204) Authorizes appropriations for programs of national significance.

(Sec. 205) Repeals provisions for: (1) a national information and program referral network; and (2) public awareness projects.

Title III: Requirements under Head Start Act - (Sec. 301) Amends the Head Start Act to suspend certain proceedings with respect to the purchase of facilities.