,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ahcf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ac1 #bjai ,mr4 ,casey 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 and ,mr4 ,leahy7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to support national training1 technical assistance1 and resource centers to ensure that all individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication have access to the augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports the individuals need to interact with others1 in order to learn1 work1 socialize1 and take advantage of all aspects of society in the ,united ,states4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,access to ,free ,speech for ,all ,act or the ,,afsfa ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,for individuals with disabilities1 the lack of the ability to effectively communicate is a high predictor of poor school and post-school outcomes and creates a serious risk for abuse and neglect4 7#b7 ,no student is too severely disabled to benefit from communication devices1 services1 and other supports4 ,students with the most significant cognitive and sensory disabilities can learn to use symbolic1 augmentative1 or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports in #f months or less4 7#c7 ,students with significant disabilities affecting communication too often enter school without communication systems that allow for participation in typical curricular activities and without the tools necessary for academic instruction and participation4 7#d7 ,national professional organizations have identified lack of training in augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports and assistive technology for students with low-incidence disabilities as one of the greatest challenges to providing supports to students with significant disabilities affecting communication4 7#e7 ,title ,,ii of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7including its implementing regulations7 requires local educational agencies to ensure that communication with students with hearing1 vision1 or speech disabilities is as effective as communication with students without disabilities4 ,to ensure this effective communication1 schools must provide auxiliary aids and services where necessary to provide effective communication4 7#f7 ,communication is both a basic human need and right of all human beings4 ,for individuals without access to the means for meaningful communication1 this right is denied4 7#g7 ,the leadership of individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication is essential to achieving solutions and obtaining supports that improve1 for such individuals1 communication access and participation in the decisions most impacting their lives4 #c4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to provide for comprehensive training1 technical assistance1 and resource centers on augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports that-- 7#a7 are created and operate in order to raise expectations and improve awareness of the need for effective augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7#b7 identify1 document1 and disseminate information regarding best and promising practices 7in existence on the date of identification of the practices71 from research carried out in a manner that includes individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication and their families at every point in the research process1 to increase communication access1 literacy1 and effective communication for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7#c7 partner with assistive technology or engineering programs in institutions of higher education to conduct research in and development of communication options for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7#d7 increase the skills of speech-language pathologists1 special educators1 early intervention specialists1 occupational therapists1 administrators1 and related services personnel1 to evaluate and provide communication services1 and other supports to individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication to enable those individuals to obtain increased or improved-- 7,a7 participation in elementary1 secondary1 and postsecondary education2 7,b7 academic skills including literacy and math skills2 7,c7 employment and career outcomes2 and 7,d7 self-advocacy and self-determination skills2 and 7#e7 increase the ability of individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication to communicate1 through leadership training for individuals who use augmentative or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports1 their families1 and persons who provide devices1 services1 and other supports to such individuals1 on topics related to self-determination1 self-advocacy1 and person-centered planning4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,augmentative or alternative communication device1 service1 or support ,the term augmentative or alternative communication device1 service1 or support means the technology1 a service1 or another support1 used to supplement or replace speech or sign language for an individual who is unable to produce or be understood using spoken or signed language4 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means an entity or partnership of entities that-- 7,a7 submits an application to the ,secretary in accordance with section #f2 7,b7 represents a partnership between at least #b organizations demonstrating collaboration among institutions of higher education1 and professional and self-advocacy disability organizations2 7,c7 is1 or has at least #a lead organization that is1 consumer-controlled and led and directed by a council on which a majority of the members are individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7,d7 has a cross-disability focus2 7,e7 has knowledge1 experience1 and capacity in conducting training1 technical assistance1 and research pertaining to augmentative and alternative communication and assistive technology devices1 services1 and supports2 7,f7 has experience working directly with-- 7i7 individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication1 and their families2 7ii7 elementary or secondary schools1 or postsecondary education programs2 7iii7 independent living centers1 employers1 and ,state and local government agencies2 7,g7 includes individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication in positions of leadership in the planning1 management1 and operation of the training1 technical assistance1 and research programs2 7,h7 has experience developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships among self-advocacy disability organizations1 professional organizations1 and family organizations2 7,i7 has or will establish an advisory council or similar entity1 a majority of the members of which are individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication who use augmentative or alternative communication devices1 systems1 or supports2 and 7,j7 has a mission that values the importance of presuming competence of individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication and their ability to express themselves in the manner of their choosing4 7#c7 ,individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication 7,a7 ,in general ,the term individual with a significant disability affecting communication means an individual of any age with #a or more disabilities that affect communication1 resulting in the need for extensive and ongoing support in order to enable the individual to participate-- 7i7 in an integrated community setting2 and 7ii7 in all aspects of life4 7,b7 ,plural ,the term individuals with disabilities affecting communication means more than #a individual with a disability affecting communication4 7#d7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#e7 ,related services ,the term related services means such services within the meaning of the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adjj et seq474 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 #e4 ,grants 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities1 through an open competition1 to support comprehensive training1 technical assistance1 and resource centers 7referred to individually in this ,act as a ,national ,resource ,center74 7b7 ,amount ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable1 award a grant to an eligible entity in an amount of not less than #ejj1jjj and not more than #b1jjj1jjj per year4 7c7 ,distribution ,the ,secretary shall award not fewer than #b and not more than #e of the grants4 ,the ,secretary shall award the grants to eligible entities in geographically diverse regions of the ,nation4 7d7 ,periods ,the ,secretary shall award grants for periods of #e years1 through an open competition held initially and at the end of each #e-year period4 ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may reapply for such a grant at the end of the grant period4 #f4 ,applications 7a7 ,in general ,to be qualified to receive a grant under section #e1 an eligible entity shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time and in such manner as the ,secretary may require4 7b7 ,contents ,each such application shall include1 at a minimum1 each of the following3 7#a7 ,a description of the applicant's experience in providing training1 information1 and support related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports to individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication4 7#b7 ,a description of the applicant's experience in providing training1 information1 and support to early intervention specialists1 and elementary education1 secondary education1 postsecondary education1 and community personnel1 related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports4 7#c7 ,a description of the applicant's experience in working with ,state1 local1 and1 in appropriate cases1 tribal government agencies in providing training1 information1 and support related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports4 7#d7 ,a description of the applicant's experience in disseminating training and information to multiple stakeholders4 7#e7 ,a description of the applicant's plan to ensure that the applicant will provide training1 technical assistance1 and information to the communities most in need of the knowledge and ability to obtain augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports1 including low-income communities1 and individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication and their families4 7#f7 ,a description of the applicant's partnerships with consumer-controlled organizations focused on augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports4 7#g7 ,an assurance that the applicant1 acting through the ,national ,resource ,center1 will-- 7,a7 work with ,state1 tribal1 and local government agencies and educational agencies to disseminate information about augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports2 7,b7 increase the capacity of early intervention service1 elementary and secondary education1 postsecondary education1 and developmental disability services agencies to provide and support augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports for those who need such devices1 services1 and supports2 7,c7 assist ,states to establish plans to ensure augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports are available to those who need such devices1 services1 and supports2 7,d7 ensure that training1 technical assistance1 and information developed under the grant is available in the language1 including ,american ,sign ,language1 of the communities served2 and 7,e7 provide to the ,secretary requested information for purposes of evaluating the grant activities4 #g4 ,priority ,in awarding grants for activities described in this ,act1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that-- 7#a7 demonstrate a minimum of #c years of experience providing training and technical assistance1 and disseminating information1 related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports2 7#b7 propose activities that will expand the number of individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication who have access to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports to enable the individuals to participate as described in section #d7c77;,a72 7#c7 propose activities that will expand the number of families1 educators1 and disability service providers with the knowledge1 skills1 and abilities to promote access to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7#d7 propose activities that will enhance the ability of users of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports to learn about and become leaders in-- 7,a7 disability education and policy2 and 7,b7 the disability service delivery field2 7#e7 employ individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication who use augmentative or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports2 7#f7 demonstrate the ability to collaborate with self-advocacy disability1 education1 direct service1 health1 employment1 housing1 and transportation entities1 whether the entities are public agencies or private organizations2 and 7#g7 demonstrate expertise in promoting the use of universal design 7as defined in section #ajc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc77 in training1 technical assistance1 and information dissemination4 #h4 ,use of funds 7a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under section #e shall use the grant funds only for activities described in an application submitted under section #f and approved by the ,secretary1 to-- 7#a7 identify best practices and innovative communication technologies1 including free and low-cost options1 for the purpose of increasing communication for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication to enable the individuals to communicate and succeed in school1 employment1 and their communities2 7#b7 partner with institutions of higher education with assistive technology and engineering programs1 to conduct research in and development of communication options for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7#c7 develop or adapt postsecondary coursework in augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports for speech-language pathologists1 special educators1 early intervention specialists1 administrators1 related services personnel1 and developmental disability services providers to promote best practices and innovative communication strategies for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7#d7 provide leadership training for individuals who use augmentative or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports1 their family members1 and persons who provide services and other supports to such individuals1 on the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports1 and on topics related to self-determination1 self-advocacy1 and person-centered planning2 7#e7 conduct national1 regional1 ,state1 tribal1 and local training and technical assistance relating to-- 7,a7 increase the knowledge and skills related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports of family members of individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication2 7,b7 increase the knowledge and skills related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports1 of speech-language pathologists1 special educators1 early intervention specialists1 administrators1 related services personnel1 and developmental disability services providers2 7,c7 increase the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports in early intervention services1 elementary school1 secondary school1 and postsecondary education programs2 7,d7 increase the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports in employment settings2 and 7,e7 increase the knowledge of the general public to be aware of and interact with users of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports2 7#f7 develop user-friendly products related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports that include-- 7,a7 websites2 7,b7 training modules2 7,c7 products that facilitate making choices related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports2 7,d7 products that facilitate supported decisionmaking2 7,e7 products that promote literacy and language development2 7,f7 products that promote numeracy2 7,g7 products that promote inclusion in elementary schools1 secondary schools1 postsecondary education programs1 employment settings1 civic engagement1 and recreation and leisure settings2 and 7,h7 other products as identified by the eligible entities1 and the advisory councils or similar entities established by the eligible entities2 7#g7 link the work of the ,national ,resource ,center to existing 7as of the date of the grant award7 policy and activities throughout the ,federal ,government on self-advocacy1 supported decisionmaking1 person-centered planning1 and community living1 for individuals with disabilities and particularly for individuals with the most significant disabilities affecting communication1 for the purpose of increasing success and self-determination in early intervention services1 elementary education1 secondary education1 and postsecondary education programs2 7#h7 disseminate information about augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports1 including products developed under paragraph 7#f7 and the recommended voluntary standards developed by the ,national ,advisory ,committee under section #aj7;d7 to-- 7,a7 professional accrediting organizations2 7,b7 institutions of higher education2 7,c7 local educational agencies and ,state educational agencies2 7,d7 national1 ,state1 tribal1 and local businesses1 to enable the businesses to hire more individuals who use augmentative or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports2 7,e7 national1 ,state1 tribal1 and local government agencies that provide services and other supports1 including employment supports1 to individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports2 7,f7 national and local disability advocacy organizations1 including disability self-advocacy organizations2 7,g7 family support organizations1 including the parent training and information centers supported under section #fga of the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adga72 7,h7 network partners1 including the ,state ,councils on ,developmental ,disabilities described in section #abe of the ,developmental ,disabilities ,assistance and ,bill of ,rights ,act of #bjjj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejbe71 the protection and advocacy systems described in section #adc of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejdc71 and ,university ,centers for ,excellence in ,developmental ,disabilities ,education1 ,research1 and ,services supported under subtitle ,d of title ,i of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejfa et seq471 participating in activities under that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejja et seq472 and 7,i7 other groups and entities as identified by the eligible entity and the advisory councils or similar entities established by the eligible entity2 and 7#i7 collaborate with-- 7,a7 ,state assistive technology programs2 7,b7 ,state and local educational agencies2 7,c7 ,state ,councils on ,developmental ,disabilities described in section #abe of the ,developmental ,disabilities ,assistance and ,bill of ,rights ,act of #bjjj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejbe72 7,d7 the systems and ,university ,centers described in paragraph 7#h77;,h72 7,e7 local boards1 as defined in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb72 and 7,f7 other ,state1 regional1 tribal1 and local entities with the ability to provide support for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports4 #i4 ,annual report ,each eligible entity that receives a grant under section #e to support a ,national ,resource ,center shall annually prepare and submit to the ,secretary a report containing1 consistent with criteria established by the ,secretary1 information on-- 7#a7 activities conducted by the ,center related to training1 technical assistance1 and research and dissemination of information2 7#b7 research conducted by the ,center1 solely or in collaboration with other entities2 and 7#c7 collaboration by the ,center with other entities to promote the awareness and knowledge of1 and skills to support1 augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports for individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication and persons who provide services and other supports to those individuals4 #aj4 ,national ,advisory ,committee 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a ,national ,advisory ,committee on ,augmentative and ,alternative ,communication 7referred to in this section as the ,national ,advisory ,committee71 in the ,administration for ,community ,living4 7b7 ,composition 7#a7 ,appointment ,the voting members of the ,national ,advisory ,committee shall be appointed by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,membership 7,a7 ,voting members ,the ,national ,advisory ,committee shall be composed of #ba voting members1 of which-- 7i7 at least #aa members shall be individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication who use augmentative or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports to express themselves2 7ii7 at least #f members shall be family members of individuals who1 collectively1 have a variety of disabilities1 including traumatic brain injury1 cerebral palsy1 and autism2 and 7iii7 the remaining members shall be professionals1 researchers1 or faculty members working in the field of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports4 7,b7 ,ex officio nonvoting members ,each of the following shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the ,national ,advisory ,committee3 7i7 ,the ,secretary of ,education4 7ii7 ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7iii7 ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7iv7 ,the ,secretary of ,labor4 7v7 ,the ,attorney ,general4 7vi7 ,the ,chairperson of the ,national ,council on ,disability4 7#c7 ,term ,the voting members of the ,committee shall serve for terms of #c years4 7#d7 ,chairperson and vice chairperson ,the members of the ,committee shall select a ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson from among the members of the ,committee4 ,at least #a of the positions of ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson shall be held by a person who uses augmentative or alternative communication devices1 services1 or supports4 7c7 ,meetings 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,committee shall meet at the call of the ,chairperson1 but not less often than #d times a year4 7#b7 ,first meeting ,not later than #fj days after the date on which all members of the ,national ,advisory ,committee have been appointed1 the ,committee shall hold its first meeting4 7d7 ,duties ,the ,national ,advisory ,committee shall-- 7#a7 7,a7 recommend an initial set of voluntary standards for provision of augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports to individuals who need those devices1 services1 and supports2 and 7,b7 not less often than once every #e years thereafter1 recommend updated standards described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7#b7 annually-- 7,a7 select a topic for a report related to augmentative and alternative communication devices1 services1 and supports2 and 7,b7 prepare and submit such report to the ,president1 the officials described in subsection 7b77#b77;,b71 and the appropriate committees of ,congress4 7e7 ,personnel 7#a7 ,travel expenses ,the members of the ,national ,advisory ,committee shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the ,national ,advisory ,committee1 but shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the ,national ,advisory ,committee4 ,notwithstanding section #acdb of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the ,national ,advisory ,committee4 7#b7 ,detail of government employees ,any ,federal ,government employee may be detailed to the ,national ,advisory ,committee without reimbursement1 and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege4 7#c7 ,grants for staffing ,the ,secretary shall select #a or more of the entities that receive a grant under section #e1 to provide staff for the ,national ,advisory ,committee4 7f7 ,permanent committee ,section #ad of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall not apply to the ,national ,advisory ,committee4 #aa4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4