A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to recognize South Carolina as a Technology First state, committed to the exploration and understanding of enabling and assistive technology supports that may allow all South Carolinians with disabilities greater opportunity to live independent and fulfilling lives.

 

Whereas, South Carolinians with disabilities, including physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and related disabilities, often experience barriers in their lives that often lead to a limited engagement in their communities or a reliance on others to facilitate that engagement; and

 

Whereas, the State of South Carolina is committed to empowering South Carolinians with disabilities to live as independently as possible and to exercise, to the degree chosen by each person, positive control over their lives; and

 

Whereas, "enabling technology" is equipment and methodologies that provide the means to support people with disabilities to increase their independence in their homes, communities, and workplaces and thereby increase positive control over their lives; and

 

Whereas, "assistive technology" encompasses any piece of equipment, device, or system used to improve or maintain the ability level of the individual with a disability in the educational setting, in employment, in transportation, and in all aspects of daily living. Assistive technology can be a self-made item, a specially designed device, bought off the shelf, or an item otherwise modified to fit the needs of an individual with a disability; and

 

Whereas, by continuing technological advancements, the State is committed to increasing the opportunities for its citizens with disabilities to access innovative supportive technology in order to lower the barriers that citizens with disabilities encounter and promote their independence and confidence; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina recognizes that people with disabilities living in rural areas often face limited transportation options needed to maintain employment, community inclusion, and overall independence, and that access to new navigational applications and other transportation-based technological resources makes greater financial health and community inclusion achievable; and

 

Whereas, the demand for Direct Support Professionals, employees who are compensated for supporting people with disabilities, is projected to increase, and technology is one tool that can help to supplement and assist those who do the important work of supporting South Carolinians with disabilities; and

 

Whereas, the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities recommended in its 2017 Report that states be provided with technical assistance and financial or programmatic incentives to promote the use of technology solutions to both empower people with disabilities and address the workforce crisis; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina intends to ensure enabling and assistive technology solutions are considered when determining the appropriate services and supports to be provided for South Carolinians with disabilities; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina commits to a statewide initiative, Technology First, with the South Carolina Human Services Providers Association in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council, Able South Carolina, and other agencies coordinating efforts to expand access to enabling and assistive technology designed to improve the lives of all South Carolinians with disabilities.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize South Carolina as a Technology First state, committed to the exploration and understanding of enabling and assistive technology supports that may allow all South Carolinians with disabilities greater opportunity to live independent and fulfilling lives.

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