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2002 SESSION

020530960
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 253
Offered January 18, 2002
Requesting the Secretary of Technology, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and 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 (Departments of Rehabilitative Services, Blind and Vision Impaired and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center) to strengthen cooperation in advancing research and new technology to respond to the talents and needs of persons with disabilities.
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Patrons-- McQuigg, Bloxom and Van Landingham
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Referred to Committee on Science and Technology
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WHEREAS, in previous years, CIT, DIT and health and human resources agencies worked collaboratively to explore mutual opportunities for technology development and application and make recommendations for implementing the assistive technology opportunities into the CIT targeting strategy for developmental research; and

WHEREAS, CIT and DIT 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 of technology; and

WHEREAS, new technological advances demand a renewed, intensified partnership between rehabilitative engineers/specialists and CIT and DIT representatives 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, Virginians with disabilities; and

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

WHEREAS, all citizens of the Commonwealth would benefit from a collaborative effort between CIT, DIT and rehabilitative agencies to encourage high technology companies within the Commonwealth to consider adapting select technologies into assistive technology devices to expand the gifts, talents, and productivity of persons with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretary of Technology, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and representatives of technology industries be encouraged to develop an action plan prescribing renewed partnerships among the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), the Department of Information Technology (DIT) and rehabilitation agencies (Departments of Rehabilitative Services, Blind and Vision Impaired and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center) to strengthen cooperation in advancing research and new technology to respond to the talents and needs of persons with disabilities; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly commend CIT and DIT for their previous efforts in furthering and disseminating technological advances that have improved the productivity and quality of life for all Virginians.