The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (known as the Assistive Technology Act or Tech Act) was signed into law in 1998 by President Bill Clinton.

From the Assistive Technology Act Programs Website:

“The Tech Act facilitates the development, evaluation, application and delivery of assistive technology devices and services. It is a unique and critical legislative measure, that through monetary assistance to States and Territories, embodies several features that positively impact on the lives of persons with disabilities. These core features of the Tech Act, as exemplified in State & Territory initiatives, include:

• Pro-active approach that promotes systems change before and concurrent with the evolution of marketplace demands and legislated changes;
• Consumer responsiveness inherent in program design, allows each State and Territory to involve its consumers from the start of planning initiatives, through program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Universal approach that addresses the needs of persons with disabilities across ALL AGES and ALL DISABILITIES as they relate to assistive technology.
• Flexible approach permitting each State and Territory to administer diverse initiatives that effectively address the assistive technology needs of its residents with disabilities by allowing choice of lead agency and by allowing state and community level planning and decision making.
• Development of collaborative relationships between Tech Act Projects private entities, consumers, state agencies and providers that encourages ongoing, interactive partnerships that improve current service delivery systems, avoiding duplication of services and retrofitting.

For more information on the Tech Act visit these website:

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (complete text)

The AT Network

The Assistive Technology Act Programs

RESNA Technical Assistance Project