This resolution designates April 30, 2025, as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day to recognize the vital role of assistive technology in the lives of people with disabilities and older adults, and to commend those who support its access.
Edward "Ed" Markey
Senator
MA
This resolution officially designates April 30, 2025, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day." It highlights the critical role assistive technology plays in enabling people with disabilities and older adults to fully participate in education, employment, and community life. The bill also commends the dedicated professionals and organizations working to ensure access to these essential tools and services.
New Resolution Designates April 30, 2025, as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day
This resolution is short, sweet, and focused on one thing: officially designating April 30, 2025, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day." While it doesn't change any laws or regulations, it serves as a massive public service announcement, drawing attention to a critical resource for millions of Americans.
The Tech That Makes Life Work
If you've ever thought about how people manage daily life with a disability, this bill explains that assistive technology (AT) is often the answer. AT isn't just fancy robotics; it's defined broadly as any equipment or product that helps someone with a disability or an older adult maintain or improve their functional capabilities. Think about a coworker using screen-reading software to code, or an aging parent using a specialized walker to stay independent at home. These tools are the difference between participation and isolation.
The resolution highlights the sheer scale of the need: the CDC estimates that nearly 70 million people in the U.S. have some form of disability. For two out of five adults over 65, AT is essential for daily living. In short, AT isn't a niche concern; it's a major factor in the labor market, education, and community life.
The State Programs Doing the Heavy Lifting
Part of the resolution’s focus is shining a light on the state Assistive Technology programs that are already working hard behind the scenes. These programs are the practical backbone of AT access. They provide services like device loan programs, allowing someone to try out a specific wheelchair or communication device before committing thousands of dollars to a purchase. They also run reuse, repair, and recycling programs, which is huge for keeping costs down for expensive equipment.
For the average person, this means that if your child needs a specialized learning device, or your small business needs to make an accommodation for a new hire, these state programs often have the demonstration centers and financing options to make it happen affordably. The resolution essentially gives a collective high-five to these programs and the specialists who run them, recognizing their dedication to fitting people with the right technology.
Why Awareness Matters
While a resolution doesn't carry the force of law, awareness days are important because they cut through the noise and force a national conversation. By setting aside April 30, 2025, the Senate is signaling that access to AT is a priority. This kind of recognition helps researchers, advocates, and professional organizations dedicated to improving AT access get the attention they need. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that these tools exist and that state programs are available to help people find them, which is often half the battle when dealing with complex health or accessibility challenges.