Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994
Public Law 103-218 · H.R. 2339 · 103rd Congress · began in the House
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Mar 9, 1994 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Sponsor: Rep. Major Owens (D-NY-11)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Grants to States
Title II: Programs of National Significance
Title III: Alternative Financing Mechanisms
Title IV: Amendments to Other Acts
Title V: Effective Date
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994 - Title I: Grants to States - Amends the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Act) to authorize States to use grants for the following system assistive technology change and advocacy activities: (1) model systems and alternative State-financed systems; (2) interagency coordination; (3) outreach; (4) State payment of expenses; (5) State needs assessment; (6) public awareness programs; (7) training and technical assistance; (8) program data compilation and evaluation; (9) public access to technology-related information; (10) interstate activities; (11) public-private initiatives; and (12) advocacy and other services.
(Sec. 102) Amends development grant provisions to: (1) repeal first and second year grant limits; and (2) require the designation of a State lead agency.
(Sec. 103) Amends extension grant provisions to authorize a second extension grant of up to five years.
(Sec. 104) Requires State progress reports to document development and implementation of consumer-responsive statewide technology-related assistance.
(Sec. 105) Revises onsite inspection requirements.
Requires the Governor of a State subject to a corrective action plan to appoint a monitoring panel. Terminates funding for failure to appoint such panel. Authorizes a panel to recommend redesignation of a State lead agency.
Provides for the change of an entity providing required protection and advocacy services for the disabled upon a determination of failure to provide such services.
Establishes an October 1, 1995, deadline for the Interagency Disability Coordinating Council to respond to a specified study.
(Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations through FY 1996, with reservations for specified information and technical assistance and onsite visits.
Title II: Programs of National Significance - Amends the Act to require the Secretary of Education in FY 1995 to develop a national classification system for assistive technology devices and services. Reserves specified funds for such system.
(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts for technology training and demonstration projects, including grants to prepare students for technology careers and to historically black colleges.
Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements for: (1) technology transfer; and (2) device and equipment redistribution.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for: (1) business opportunities for disabled individuals in assistive technology or service enterprises; and (2) research and design of products of universal design.
Authorizes appropriations through FY 1998.
Title III: Alternative Financing Mechanisms - Amends the Act to direct the Secretary to provide grants to States to pay for the 50 percent Federal share of the cost of establishing alternative financing mechanisms (such as loans, loan insurance, revolving funds, or partnerships) to enable disabled individuals to obtain assistive technology. Limits a grant to $500,000 (unless otherwise increased). Directs the Secretary to provide States with technical assistance. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1998.
Title IV: Amendments of Other Acts - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to authorize personnel training grants to be used for assistive technology and services training.
(Sec. 403) Amends the Head Start Act to suspend certain proceedings with respect to facility purchases.
Title V: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, with specified exceptions.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Education and Workforce Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 19 actions.
- Mar 9, 1994Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 103-218.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Feb 25, 1994PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Feb 11, 1994Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment by Voice Vote.
- Feb 8, 1994FloorFloor · House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 351.
- Aug 5, 1993FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Aug 2, 1993FloorFloor · The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Owens moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Education and Workforce Committee
- Jul 28, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Education and Workforce Committee
- Jun 30, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee
- Jun 10, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee
- Jun 8, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Education and Workforce Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.