Wine Country Times

This week, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16) introduced H.R. 3702, the Access Technology Affordability Act. The legislation provides a refundable $2,000 credit to blind and vision impaired people to purchase equipment that allows them to work. 

“No one should be excluded from the workforce because of a disability,” said Thompson. “The Access Technology Affordability Act will provide those with vision loss the resources they need to access tools and equipment that will help them pursue a career. Proud to work with Rep. Kelly to introduce this bill and help more Americans participate in our economy.”

"Every American deserves the chance to earn a productive living. Unfortunately, almost 70 percent of blind Americans are either underemployed or unemployed due to the high cost of computer access technologies," said Kelly. "Our legislation will make those tools more readily accessible and empower more blind Americans to fully participate in the U.S. job market."

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “My wife, two of my daughters, and I are all blind, and the children’s technology needs will increase as they complete their education and start their careers. My family is not unique; blind people across the nation face this challenge, and this legislation will provide critical assistance. We thank and commend Representative Kelly, Representative Thompson, and the bipartisan group of originating co-sponsors for being champions of this act, which will help give blind people the technology they need to live the lives they want.”

Access technology enables blind Americans to participate in today’s workforce. Since individuals’ needs differ, manufacturers have designed various tools that enable each blind American to perform tasks that they were once unable to accomplish themselves due to their blindness. Braille note takers are frequently used in schools, screen reading software allows workers to check their email at home, and screen magnification software can help seniors losing vision learn about community activities. Access technology equips blind Americans to seek employment and stay employed.

The high cost of access technology creates a difficult economic reality. Most access technology ranges from $1,000 to $6,000. For example, a leading screen reader is $900, a popular Braille note taker is $5,495, one model of a refreshable Braille display is $2,795, and a moderately priced Braille embosser is $3,695. According to the United States Census Bureau 69.5 percent of blind Americans are either unemployed or underemployed. Consequently, most blind Americans do not have sufficient financial resources needed to purchase these items. These financial barriers can ultimately lead to a loss of employment, insufficient education, or even isolation from community activities.

Medical insurance will not cover the cost of access technology. Current definitions of "medical care," "medical necessity," and "durable medical equipment" within common insurance policies do not include access technology. These definitions were adopted in the 1960s “when medical care was viewed primarily as curative and palliative, with little or no consideration given to increasing an individual's functional status.” Many states’ Medicaid programs and individual health insurance plans have adopted similar definitions and likewise will not cover the cost of access technology.

Issues: Jobs & Economy 

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