May
6, 2003
Hello
everyone,
Thought we would be able to take care of this at the Oakley meeting, but
politics wonıt give you a break some times. Title I of the AT Act
provides
funds for the state technology projects Assistive Technology for Kansans
is a state technology project. The AT Act is supposed to be funded
through
FY 04 budget year (July 1, 2004 June 30, 2005).
The budget released by the Bush administration does not have funds for state
technology projects in their FY 04 budget it doesnıt say anything against
them, but they arenıt mentioned either. This means we have year eleven
(October 1, 2003 September 30, 2004), but no federal funds after that.
Weıll still have state funds but no federal support.
The Association of Technology Act Projects (ATAP) had a conference call at
the end of last week and recommended that we get each stateıs federal
delegation to agree to send individual letters or a joint delegation letter
to the Appropriations Committee. The delegation letter would ask the
Appropriations Committees to include $34 million for Title I of the AT Act
to provide a basic level of funding for all states and territories.
After we have these funds included in the FY 04 budget, we will work on
permanently continuing the AT projects at a base level of funding in the
future. The clear first priority is getting in the FY 04 appropriations.
We will work on creating interest with the authorizing committees
to
continue the AT Act program later.
ACTION: Fax or email a letter to Senator Roberts,
Senator Brownback, and
your representative this week. Ask each member of the Kansas Delegation
to
sign a delegation letter to the Appropriations Committee asking them to
include $34 million in the FY 04 appropriations for Title I of the AT Act.
Let them know what you lose if Assistive Technology for Kansans loses these
federal funds.
ACTION: Share this with other consumers and let
them know they need to send
letters too.
Some things that could happen if Kansas loses these funds are included
below. Let the Kansas delegation know how this might effect your life.
. The toll-free phone will be shut off due to lack of funds.
. Assistive Technology Access Site staff will reduce staffing.
. Five thousand people will not be served or contacts made due to staff
shortage
. People who could have lived independently in their homes with assistive
technology services and supports will enter nursing homes and other
institutions.
. Programs established to serve farmers, agricultural workers and farm
family members injured on agricultural related accidents will lose two
part-time positions.
. The Interagency Equipment Program will close and 12,000 devices will not
be loaned each year.
. Money will be spent on devices that donıt meet the personıs needs and
devices will be abandoned.
. Two University of Kansas staff who provide coordination and expert
technical assistance regarding assistive technology issues will lose their
jobs
. No training for Access Site staff, medical personnel, or service providers
in the area of assistive technology will occur.
(The fax numbers and email addresses are listed at the end of this message.
Faxes are preferred to regular mail because mail is much slower with the
increased security.)
Sara Sack and Jennifer Schwartz are talking with the Kansas delegation and
their staffers so weıll keep you informed on how itıs going. Let us know
if
you hear back from anyone too! THANKS so much for your help. This
is
something we can do.
Senator Pat Roberts 202-224-3514 Web Form --
http://roberts.senate.gov/email.htm
Senator Sam Brownback 202-228-1265 Web Form --
http://brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.htm
Representative Jerry Moran 202-225-5124 E-Mail:
jerry.moran@mail.house.gov
Representative Jim Ryun 202-225-7986 Website http://ryun.house.gov
Representative Dennis Moore 202-225-2807 Website
http://www.house.gov/moore
Representative Todd Tiahrt 202-225-3489 Website
http://www.house.gov/tiahrt
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