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2002 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 218
Requesting the Secretaries of Technology and Health and Human Resources to work with representatives of technology industries to develop an action plan prescribing renewed partnerships among the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), the Department of Information Technology (DIT) and rehabilitation agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, to strengthen cooperation in advancing research and new technologies to respond to the talents and needs of persons with disabilities.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 31, 2002
Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2002

WHEREAS, in previous years, the Center for Innovative Technology, the Department of Information Technology and the agencies for which the Secretary of Health and Human Resources is responsible worked collaboratively to explore mutual opportunities for technology development and application and made recommendations for implementing the assistive technology opportunities within the Center for Innovative Technology targeting strategy for developmental research; and

WHEREAS, the Center for Innovative Technology and the Department of Information Technology made significant strides in identifying assistive technology adaptations among the Commonwealth's inventory of technology projects and sought to apply that information to assist Virginians with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the previous partnership allowed rehabilitation agencies to act as resources for product developers and laboratories for field testing technology; and

WHEREAS, new technological advances demand a renewed, intensified partnership between rehabilitative engineers and specialists and representatives of the Center for Innovative Technology and the Department of Information Technology for the purpose of applied research on technology development, transfer and potential commercial values of such devices and field testing opportunities with highly-motivated users; and

WHEREAS, these new partnerships should also include joint ventures through collaborative grant proposals, potential research endeavors and public awareness collaborative ventures; and

WHEREAS, the Center for Innovative Technology and the Department of Information Technology should be commended for their previous efforts in furthering and disseminating technological advances that have improved the productivity and quality of life for all Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretaries of Technology and Health and Human Resources be requested to work with representatives of technology industries to develop an action plan prescribing renewed partnerships among the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), the Department of Information Technology (DIT) and rehabilitation agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, to strengthen cooperation in advancing research and new technologies to respond to the talents and needs of persons with disabilities. The action plan should encourage high-technology companies in Virginia to consider adapting selective technologies into assistive technology devices to expand the gifts, talent and productivity of persons with disabilities.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Secretaries of Technology and Health and Human Resources, upon request.

The Secretaries of Technology and Health and Human Resources shall submit a report on the plan development, including past achievements, current initiatives and future opportunities, to the Disability Commission prior to the 2003 Session of the General Assembly.

The Secretaries of Technology and Health and Human Resources shall complete their work by November 30, 2002, and shall submit their written findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2003 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.