,,ii  #aag? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #b  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ 
,,/ates  ,novemb] #ag1 #bjbb,mr4 ,casey 
7= himself1 ,mr4 ,m>key1 ,mr4 ,leahy1   
,ms4 ,duckwor?1 ,mrs4 ,gillibr&1 ,mr4   
,s&]s1 & ,mr4 ,wyd57 introduc$ ! foll[+ 
bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to !    
,committee on ,heal?1 ,education1       
,labor1 & ,p5sions  ,a ,,bill  ,to      
support national tra9+1 te*nical        
assi/ance1 & res\rce c5t]s1 to ensure t 
all individuals ) significant expressive
 communication disabilities h access to 
! augm5tative & alt]native communication
 ! individuals ne$ to int]act ) o!rs1 9 
ord] to le>n1 "w1 socialize1 & take     
advantage ( all aspects ( life 9 !      
,unit$ ,/ates4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is    
,act may be cit$ z ! ,augm5tative &     
,alt]native ,communication ,c5t]s to    
,e/abli% ,national ,tra9+ ,act or !     
,,aacc5t ,act4  #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress    
makes ! foll[+ f9d+s3 7#a7              
,communication is a basic human ne$ &   
fundam5tal "r1 & is ess5tial to         

self-det]m9ation1 social inclusion1 &   
emotional & physical well-be+4 ,9 enact+
 a provision ( ! ,am]icans )            
,disabilities ,act ( #aiij 7ref]r$ to 9 
?is section z ! ,,ada71 ,congress       
recogniz$ t physical or m5tal           
disabilities 9 no way dim9i% a p]son's  
"r to fully p>ticipate 9 all aspects (  
society1 & t ! discrim9atory effects (  
communication b>ri]s are a =m (         
discrim9ation4  7#b7 ,?ree decades aft] 
! passage ( ! ,,ada1 ,am]icans )        
significant expressive communication    
disabilities /ill exp]i5ce discrim9ation
 9 ! =m ( communication b>ri]s1         
in/itutionalization1 segregation1 &     
relegation to less] s]vices1 programs1  
activities1 b5efits1 jobs1 or o!r       
opportunities comp>$ to ,am]icans )\t   
significant expressive communication    
disabilities4  7#c7 ,data ab\t          
augm5tative & alt]native communication  
is lack+1 b x is e/imat$ !re are at lea/
 #d1jjj1jjj p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates :o _c   
reliably meet _! daily communication    

ne$s us+ natural spee*4  7#d7 ,!        
population ( individuals ) significant  
expressive communication difficulties is
 at sub/antial risk = limit$ education1 
unemploym5t1 poor heal? outcomes1       
pov]ty1 & l[ quality ( life4  7#e7 ,p c 
acquire a significant expressive        
communication disability & ne$          
augm5tative & alt]native communication z
 a result ( _m heal? & developm5tal     
conditions at all /ages ( life4  7#f7   
,rese>* indicates t individuals :o      
belong to racial or e?nic m9ority       
communities face a great] likelihood (  
be+ born ) or acquir+ expressive        
communication disabilities1 z well z    
add$ difficulties 9 obta9+ int]v5tion   
s]vices1 includ+ augm5tative &          
alt]native communication4  7#g7         
,individuals ) significant expressive   
communication disabilities1 s*ools1     
families1 employ]s1 direct support      
provid]s1 heal? c>e provid]s1 ! ju/ice  
sy/em1 & ! g5]al public ne$ m in=mation 
ab\t h[ to effectively deploy1 implem5t1

 & ensure cont9u$ access to robu/       
communication tools1 s]vices1 & o!r     
supports = individuals ) significant    
expressive communication disabilities4  
7#h7 ,! liv$ exp]i5ces & writ+s (       
individuals ) significant expressive    
communication disabilities demon/rate ! 
positive impact augm5tative & alt]native
 communication has on _! lives4 ,^! liv$
 exp]i5ces & writ+s also illu/rate ! h>m
 t results f d5y+ augm5tative &         
alt]native communication to ^? :o ne$ x4
  7#i7 ,! lead]%ip ( individuals )      
significant expressive communication    
disabilities is critical 9 craft+ &     
implem5t+ effective policies & programs 
affect+ _! lives1 includ+ policies &    
programs reg>d+ augm5tative & alt]native
 communication4  7#aj7 ,! fre$oms (     
expression1 & to be und]/ood1 are       
ess5tial to bo? democracy & to          
individual well-be+4 ,individuals )     
significant expressive communication    
disabilities mu/ be af=d$ equal rights1 
opportunities1 /rategies1 te*nologies1  

s]vices1 & o!r supports to effectively  
express !mselves & p>ticipate 9 _!      
communities & 9 democracy4  #c4 ,purpose
 ,! purpose ( ?is ,act is to "w t[>d    
elim9at+ ! cont9u$ discrim9ation1       
isolation1 m>g9alization1 & d5ial (     
equal opportunity ( individuals )       
significant expressive communication    
disabilities by provid+ = compreh5sive  
national tra9+1 te*nical assi/ance1 &   
res\rce c5t]s to improve access to--    
7#a7 a full range ( augm5tative &       
alt]native communication2  7#b7 equal   
opportunity2  7#c7 aw>5ess &            
implem5tation ( relevant laws1 policies1
 & practices2  7#d7 lead]%ip &          
self-advocacy skills2  7#e7 capacity1 9 
! case ( individuals ) significant      
expressive communication disabilities1  
educators1 pr(essionals1 & families2    
7#f7 national /ati/ical data2 &  7#g7   
societal aw>5ess4  #d4 ,def9itions ,9   
?is ,act3 7#a7 ,advisory c\ncil ,! t]m  
advisory c\ncil means an #aa-p]son      
advisory c\ncil t-- 7,a7 provides       

guidance1 recomm5dations1 & ov]sight to 
an eligible entity2  7,b7 is compris$   
exclusively ( individuals ) significant 
expressive communication disabilities :o
 collectively h div]se-- 7i7 educational
 & pr(essional backgr\nds2  7ii7 racial1
 e?nic1 g5d]1 & l+ui/ic id5tities2      
7iii7 disabilities1 includ+ intellectual
 disabilities1 ages1 & geographic       
locations2  7iv7 levels ( income2 &  7v7
 =ms ( augm5tative & alt]native         
communication reli$ ^u2 &  7,c7 is      
subject to ea* ( ! foll[+ conditions3   
7i7 ,! initial c\ncil memb]s %all be    
id5tifi$ 9 ! grant application by !     
p>tn]s ( ! eligible entity4  7ii7 ,ea*  
memb] ( ! advisory c\ncil %all be       
appo9t$ = a p]iod ( #e ye>s4  7iii7 ,!  
,*air & ,vice ,*air ( ! c\ncil %all be  
select$ by ! c\ncil memb]s at ! fir/    
meet+ & !reaft] z ! c\ncil det]m9es to  
be appropriate4  7iv7 ,! c\ncil %all    
fill any vacancy 9 accordance ) section 
#g7;b77#h77;,c74  7#b7 ,augm5tative &   
alt]native communication ,! t]m         

augm5tative & alt]native communication  
means any tool1 me?od1 te*nology1       
/rategy1 s]vice1 tra9+1 coa*+1 & o!r    
support us$ to supplem5t or replace     
spee*4  7#c7 ,competitive integrat$     
employm5t ,! t]m competitive integrat$  
employm5t has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9      
section #g ( ! ,rehabilitation ,act (   
#aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gje74  7#d7       
,disability ,! t]m disability has !     
mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #c ( !       
,am]icans ) ,disabilities ,act ( #aiij  
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb74  7#e7 ,eligible 
entity ,! t]m eligible entity means a   
p>tn]%ip ( at lea/ #b organizations--   
7,a7 = :i* ! controll+ p>tn] ( !        
p>tn]%ip is a nonpr(it organization     
headqu>t]$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates t ve/s p[] 
& au?ority 9 individuals ) significant  
expressive communication disabilities 9 
t]ms ( managem5t1 /aff+1 decisionmak+1  
op]ation1 & provision ( s]vices2  7,b7 t
 includes at lea/ "o o!r organization   
headqu>t]$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates t is ei!r  
an in/itution ( high] education or an   

association ( pr(essional s]vice        
provid]s or educators 9 ! field (       
significant expressive communication    
disabilities2  7,c7 t has a             
cross-disability & cross-g5]ational     
focus2  7,d7 t is advis$ by an advisory 
c\ncil2  7,e7 t has adopt$ a mission t  
values equal opportunity & ! fundam5tal 
"r ( communication access1 & op]at+     
pr9ciples t respect ! rights (          
individuals ) significant expressive    
communication disabilities to express   
!mselves 9 ! mann] ( _! *oos+2 &  7,f7 (
 :i* ! organizational memb]s1           
collectively-- 7i7 h k1 exp]i5ce1 &     
capacity 9 conduct+ tra9+1 te*nical     
assi/ance1 or k dissem9ation relat$ to !
 priority activities describ$ 9 section 
#f2  7ii7 h exp]i5ce work+ directly )   
individuals ) significant expressive    
communication disabilities 9 association
 )-- 7,i7 e>ly int]v5tion programs1 e>ly
 *ildhood programs1 elem5t>y or second>y
 s*ools1 or po/second>y education       
programs2 or  7,,ii7 #b or m types (    

entities f among-- 7aa7 c5t]s =         
indep5d5t liv+ au?oriz$ "u "p ,c ( title
 ,,vii ( ! ,rehabilitation ,act ( #aigc 
7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gif;f et seq472  7bb7   
home & community-bas$ s]vice provid]s2  
7cc7 employ]s2  7dd7 heal? c>e provid]s2
  7ee7 protection & advocacy            
organizations2  7ff7 ag+ networks2  7gg7
 c>egiv] organizations2 or  7hh7 ,/ate1 
,tribal1 or local gov]nm5t ag5cies2 &   
7iii7 h exp]i5ce develop+ & ma9ta9+     
collaborative work+ relation%ips among  
disability-l$ advocacy organizations1   
in/itutions ( high] education1          
pr(essional associations1 or c>egiv]    
organizations4  7#f7 ,evid5ce-bas$ ,!   
t]m evid5ce-bas$1 us$ ) respect to      
assi/ance t is k1 a res\rce1 tra9+1 or  
te*nical assi/ance1 means assi/ance--   
7,a7 t demon/rates a rationale bas$ on a
 high-quality rese>* f9d+ or positive   
evaluation t su* assi/ance is likely to 
improve a communication outcome or o!r  
relevant outcome2 &  7,b7 = :i* ongo+   
ef=ts are made to exam9e ! effects ( !  

assi/ance4  7#g7 ,individual )          
significant expressive communication    
disabilities ,! t]m individual )        
significant expressive communication    
disabilities means an individual ( any  
age-- 7,a7 :o has #a or m real or       
p]ceiv$ significant expressive          
communication disabilities & may h o!r  
disabilities2 &  7,b7 ^: disabilities   
result 9 ! ne$ =1 or b5efit f1          
augm5tative & alt]native communication &
 o!r supports to enable ! individual to 
communicate & to aid ! individual 9     
p>ticipat+ 9 #a or m aspects ( life4    
7#h7 ,in/itution ( high] education ,!   
t]m in/itution ( high] education has !  
mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #aja7;a7 ( ! 
,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774  7#i7 ,national   
res\rce c5t] ,! t]m national res\rce    
c5t] means a ,national ,res\rce ,c5t] on
 ,augm5tative & ,alt]native             
,communication ref]r$ to 9 section      
#e7;a74  7#aj7 ,secret>y ,! t]m         
,secret>y means ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? &  

,human ,s]vices4  7#aa7 ,significant    
expressive communication disability     
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! t]m significant        
expressive communication disability     
means any disability1 :e!r cong5ital1   
developm5tal1 or acquir$ at any po9t 9  
life1 t prev5ts or significantly limits 
an individual f und]/&+ or be+ und]/ood 
us+ spok5 words1 result+ 9 !            
individual's ne$ = or b5efit f          
augm5tative & alt]native communication4 
7,b7 ,application ,! t]m does n apply to
 an individual ^: prim>y communication  
disability is visual or auditory 9      
nature1 b does apply to an individual ) 
a disability describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7
 :o also has a visual or auditory       
communication disability & :o may       
communicate us+ sign language4  7#ab7   
,/ate ,! t]m ,/ate means ! #ej ,/ates1 !
 ,di/rict ( ,columbia1 ! ,commonweal? ( 
,pu]to ,rico1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,virg9    
,isl&s1 ,guam1 ,am]ican ,samoa1 & !     
,commonweal? ( ! ,nor!rn ,m>iana ,isl&s4
  #e4 ,grants  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y

 %all aw>d #c grants ?r\gh an op5       
competition to eligible entities1 )     
applications approv$ "u section #g1 to  
create1 ma9ta91 & adm9i/] a network (   
,national ,res\rce ,c5t]s on            
,augm5tative & ,alt]native              
,communication4 ,ea* national res\rce   
c5t] %all be a compreh5sive tra9+1      
te*nical assi/ance1 & res\rce c5t]      
creat$ to "w t[>d elim9at+ ! cont9u$    
discrim9ation aga9/1 isolation (1       
m>g9alization (1 & d5ial ( effective    
communication = & equal opportunity (1  
individuals ) significant expressive    
communication disabilities1 ?r\gh       
activities includ+ ! priority activities
 describ$ 9 section #f4  7b7 ,aw>ds =   
multiple c5t]s ,! ,secret>y %all aw>d ! 
grants = national res\rce c5t]s 9 #c    
geographically div]se locations1 & %all 
designate "o ( ! c5t]s z ! lead         
adm9i/rative c5t]4  7c7 ,lead           
,adm9i/rative ,c5t] ,! lead adm9i/rative
 c5t] %all coord9ate-- 7#a7 all         
activities ( ! c5t]s2  7#b7             

specialization ( priorities among !     
c5t]s2  7#c7 dissem9ation ( in=mation   
among ! c5t]s2  7#d7 responses ( ! c5t]s
 to ! ,secret>y2 &  7#e7 ensur+ t ! full
 range ( individuals ) significant      
expressive communication disabilities is
 s]v$ by ! c5t]s4  7d7 ,am\nt ,!        
,secret>y %all1 to ! ext5t practicable1 
aw>d ! #c grants 9 am\nts t total n m   
?an #i1jjj1jjj p] ye> ( a p]iod describ$
 9 subsection 7e74  7e7 ,p]iods ,!      
,secret>y %all aw>d ea* grant = a p]iod 
( #e ye>s1 ?r\gh an op5 competition held
 initially & at ! end ( ea* #e-ye>      
p]iod4 ,an eligible entity t receives a 
grant "u ?is section may reapply = su* a
 grant at ! end ( ! grant p]iod4  #f4   
,national res\rce c5t] priority         
activities ,! priority activities ( a   
national res\rce c5t] %all be to-- 7#a7 
increase access to & effective          
implem5tation ( ! full range (          
augm5tative & alt]native communication =
 all individuals ) significant          
expressive communication disabilities 9 

! ,unit$ ,/ates1 reg>dless ( age1 race1 
e?nicity1 g5d]1 g5d] id5tity1 ,,lgbtq   
/atus1 immigration /atus1 educational   
a*ievem5t1 socioeconomic condition1     
prim>y language1 nature or sev]ity (    
disability1 location ( resid5ce1 & age (
 onset ( ! significant expressive       
communication disability2  7#b7 increase
 ! capacity ( individuals ) significant 
expressive communication disabilities1  
educators1 pr(essional s]vice provid]s1 
families1 & direct support pr(essionals 
to support individuals ) significant    
expressive communication disabilities by
 creat+ & dissem9at+ evid5ce-bas$ k1    
res\rces1 tra9+ & te*nical assi/ance1 & 
recomm5d$ practices 9 ensur+ individuals
 ) significant expressive communication 
disabilities h ! tools & o!r supports   
necess>y to ex]cise self-det]m9ation &  
effectively access & p>ticipate 9 all   
aspects ( life1 includ+ education1      
employm5t1 heal? c>e1 & community liv+2 
7#c7 promote aw>5ess & implem5tation ( !
 laws1 regulations1 policies1 practices1

 proc$ures1 & sy/ems t facilitate access
 to ! full range ( augm5tative &        
alt]native communication & promote equal
 access & opportunity = individuals )   
significant expressive communication    
disabilities2  7#d7 support & enhance ! 
skills & lead]%ip ( individuals )       
significant expressive communication    
disabilities & _! families to advocate =
 ! rights ( ! individuals to effective  
communication1 education1               
self-det]m9ation1 access to ju/ice1 &   
equal opportunity & p>ticipation 9 all  
aspects ( life2  7#e7 support ! improv$ 
collection1 availability1 & dissem9ation
 ( demographic & *>act]i/ic data1 ) a   
cross-disability & cross-g5]ational     
focus1 reg>d+ individuals ) significant 
expressive communication disabilities 9 
! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! b>ri]s ! individuals 
exp]i5ce to mean+ful access to          
augm5tative & alt]native communication1 
& ! unmet communication support & o!r   
ne$s ( ?is population2 &  7#f7 increase 
societal aw>5ess & k ab\t individuals ) 

significant expressive communication    
disabilities & ! importance (1 ne$ =1   
b5efits (1 & rights to mean+ful access  
to effective communication tools & o!r  
supports 9 all aspects ( community &    
life4  #g4 ,applications  7a7 ,9 g5]al  
,to be qualifi$ to receive a grant "u   
section #e1 an eligible entity %all     
submit an application to ! ,secret>y at 
su* "t & 9 su* mann] z ! ,secret>y may  
require4  7b7 ,cont5ts ,ea* su*         
application f an eligible entity %all   
include1 at a m9imum1 ea* ( ! foll[+3   
7#a7 ,a description ( ! exp]i5ce ( ea*  
p>tn] organization 9 ! entity 9 provid+ 
tra9+1 in=mation1 advocacy1 & support   
relat$ to augm5tative & alt]native      
communication & individuals )           
significant expressive communication    
disabilities4  7#b7 ,a description ( ea*
 p>tn] organization's exp]i5ce 9 provid+
 tra9+1 in=mation1 advocacy1 & support  
relat$ to augm5tative & alt]native      
communication & to individuals )        
significant expressive communication    

disabilities1 to-- 7,a7 e>ly int]v5tion 
speciali/s2  7,b7 elem5t>y education1   
second>y education1 po/second>y         
education1 & specializ$ in/ructional    
support p]sonnel z def9$ 9 section #haja
 ( ! ,elem5t>y & ,second>y ,education   
,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja72     
7,c7 c>egiv] gr\ps2  7,d7 provid]s (    
home & community-bas$ s]vices = adults2 
7,e7 heal? c>e provid]s & educators2    
7,f7 employ]s2  7,g7 provid]s ( s]vices 
to old] adults2  7,h7 law en=cem5t      
ag5cies1 c\rts1 (fices ( di/rict        
attorneys1 & o!r public & private       
security ag5cies & bus9esses2  7,i7     
in/itutional long-t]m c>e s]vices &     
support provid]s2  7,j7 nurs+ home      
provid]s2 &  7,k7 o!r /akehold]s4  7#c7 
,a description ( ea* p>tn]              
organization's exp]i5ce work+ ) ,/ate1  
local1 or ,tribal gov]nm5t ag5cies 9    
provid+ tra9+1 in=mation1 & support     
relat$ to augm5tative & alt]native      
communication = full expression &       
individuals ) significant expressive    

communication disabilities4  7#d7 ,a    
description ( ea* p>tn] organization's  
prior p>tn]%ips ) disability-l$         
organizations focus$ on augm5tative &   
alt]native communication & individuals )
 significant expressive communication   
disabilities4  7#e7 ,evid5ce ( h[ !     
applicant satisfies ! requirem5ts (     
section #d7e74  7#f7 ,a description ( ! 
applicant's plan to ensure t ! applicant
 w provide tra9+1 te*nical assi/ance1 & 
in=mation to t>get audi5ces1 especially 
^? audi5ces 9 ne$ ( k & access to       
augm5tative & alt]native communication4 
7#g7 ,a description ( ! applicant's plan
 to implem5t ! priority activities 9    
section #f1 includ+ h[ ! organizational 
memb]s ( ! eligible entity w p>tn]1     
collaborate1 & op]ationalize !          
activities4  7#h7 ,advisory c\ncil      
in=mation1 includ+-- 7,a7 a description 
( ! advisory c\ncil1 includ+ a li/ ( !  
inaugural memb]s ( ! advisory c\ncil2   
7,b7 an assurance t ! ,*air & ,vice     
,*air ( ! advisory c\ncil w be select$  

by ! advisory c\ncil memb]s at ! fir/   
meet+ ( ! advisory c\ncil & !reaft] z ! 
c\ncil det]m9es to be appropriate2 &    
7,c7 an assurance t1 9 fill+ a vacancy  
on ! advisory c\ncil1 ! advisory c\ncil 
w-- 7i7 solicit nom9ations f !          
population ( augm5tative & alt]native   
communication us]s2  7ii7 if !re is n m 
?an #a nom9ee = ! vacancy1 confirm !    
nom9ee z a new memb]2 &  7iii7 if !re is
 m ?an #a nom9ee = ! vacancy1 vote to   
det]m9e ! nom9ee to fill ! vacancy &    
subsequ5tly confirm ! nom9ee4  7#i7 ,a  
description ( h[ o!r individuals )      
significant expressive communication    
disabilities w be involv$ 9 ! gov]nance 
& op]ations ( ! national res\rce c5t]   
involv$1 especially ?r\gh employm5t (   
individuals ) significant expressive    
communication disabilities4  7#aj7 ,a   
description ( h[ ! applicant w design & 
make tra9+1 te*nical assi/ance1 &       
in=mation available 9 accessible =mats1 
includ+ pla9 language4  7#aa7           
,assurances t ! applicant1 act+ ?r\gh ! 

national res\rce c5t]1 w "w ) !         
/akehold]s id5tifi$ 9 section #i7;d74   
7#ab7 ,assurances t ! applicant1 act+   
?r\gh ! national res\rce c5t]1 w provide
 ! ,secret>y ) reque/$ data & in=mation 
= purposes ( evaluat+ ! grant           
activities4  #h4 ,aw>d priority ,9 aw>d+
 grants = activities describ$ 9 ?is     
,act1 ! ,secret>y %all give priority to 
an eligible entity ) at lea/ #a p>tn]   
organization t-- 7#a7 demon/rates a     
m9imum ( #c ye>s ( exp]i5ce provid+     
tra9+ & te*nical assi/ance & dissem9at+ 
in=mation relat$ to augm5tative &       
alt]native communication & individuals )
 significant expressive communication   
disabilities1 & be+ o!rwise engag$ 9 !  
priority activities describ$ 9 section  
#f2  7#b7 demon/rates t individuals )   
significant expressive communication    
disabilities & ^? :o use augm5tative &  
alt]native communication are            
purposefully involv$ 9 ! gov]nance &    
op]ation ( ! organization1 especially   
?r\gh _! employm5t 9 s]vice1 deliv]y1 & 

lead]%ip positions2  7#c7 demon/rates ! 
ability to collaborate ) disability     
self-advocacy1 education1 direct s]vice1
 heal? c>e1 employm5t1 ag+1 c>egiv]1 &  
h\s+ organizations1 :e!r ! organizations
 are public ag5cies or private entities2
 &  7#d7 demon/rates exp]tise 9 promot+ 
accessibility & ! use ( univ]sal design 
7! latt] z def9$ 9 section #ajc ( !     
,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc77 9 provid+ tra9+ &     
te*nical assi/ance1 & in=mation         
dissem9ation4  #i4 ,use ( funds  7a7 ,9 
g5]al ,an eligible entity t receives a  
grant "u section #e %all use ! grant    
funds to manage & c>ry out ! priority   
activities describ$ 9 section #f1       
activities describ$ 9 ?is section1 & any
 additional activities approv$ by !     
,secret>y4  7b7 ,coord9ation ) ,f$]al   
programs ,! "w ( a national res\rce c5t]
 %all l9k to curr5t & future policy &   
activities und]tak5 ?r\gh\t ! ,f$]al    
,gov]nm5t 9 relation to self-advocacy1  
support$ decisionmak+1 p]son-c5t]$      

plann+1 community liv+1 & competitive   
integrat$ employm5t = individuals )     
disabilities & p>ticul>ly = individuals 
) ! mo/ significant expressive          
communication disabilities1 = ! purpose 
( increas+-- 7#a7 success &             
self-det]m9ation 9 life2  7#b7 !        
provision ( inclusive e>ly int]v5tion   
s]vices1 elem5t>y education1 second>y   
education1 & po/second>y education      
programs2  7#c7 competitive integrat$   
employm5t2  7#d7 heal?1 wellness1 &     
p]sonal safety2  7#e7 economic security2
  7#f7 civic engagem5t2  7#g7 community 
integration2 &  7#h7 improvem5t 9 o!r   
aspects ( life4  7c7 ,in=mation         
dissem9ation ,not)/&+ ! priority        
activities describ$ 9 section #f1 a     
national res\rce c5t] %all ensure       
in=mation & o!r res\rces ab\t           
augm5tative & alt]native communication &
 individuals ) significant expressive   
communication disabilities are made     
available z appropriate to-- 7#a7       
individuals ) significant expressive    

communication disabilities & _!         
families2  7#b7 in/itutions ( high]     
education2  7#c7 ,/ate1 ,tribal1 & local
 educational ag5cies2  7#d7 law en=cem5t
 ag5cies1 c\rts1 (fices ( di/rict       
attorneys1 & o!r public & private       
security ag5cies & bus9esses2  7#e7     
national1 ,/ate1 regional1 ,tribal1 &   
local employ]s1 to enable bus9esses to  
hire into competitive integrat$         
employm5t m individuals :o use          
augm5tative & alt]native communication2 
7#f7 national1 ,/ate1 ,tribal1 & local  
gov]nm5t ag5cies t provide s]vices & o!r
 supports to individuals ) significant  
expressive communication disabilities1  
includ+ ag5cies responsible = em]g5cy   
prep>$ness1 employm5t support1 &        
vocational rehabilitation1 ag5cies      
responsible = ,/ate programs "u !       
,assi/ive ,te*nology ,act ( #aihh 7#bi  
,u4,s4,c4 #cjja et seq471 ag5cies       
responsible = ,/ate alt]native f9anc+   
programs1 ,/ate ag5cies responsible = ! 
,m$icaid program "u title ,,xix ( !     

,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4   
#acif et seq471 & ! ag5cies ov]see+ !   
provision ( home & community-bas$       
s]vices2  7#g7 national & local         
disability & ag+ advocacy organizations1
 includ+ disability self-advocacy       
organizations2  7#h7 family support     
organizations1 includ+ ! p>5t tra9+ &   
in=mation c5t]s support$ "u section #fga
 ( ! ,individuals ) ,disabilities       
,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adga72  
7#i7 c5t]s = indep5d5t liv+ & ,/atewide 
,indep5d5t ,liv+ ,c\ncils au?oriz$ by   
title ,,vii ( ! ,rehabilitation ,act (  
#aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gif et seq472     
7#aj7 network p>tn]s1 includ+ ! ,/ate   
,c\ncils on ,developm5tal ,disabilities 
describ$ 9 section #abe ( !             
,developm5tal ,disabilities ,assi/ance &
 ,bill ( ,rights ,act ( #bjjj 7#db      
,u4,s4,c4 #aejbe71 ! protection &       
advocacy sy/ems describ$ 9 section #adc 
( t ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejdc71 &      
,univ]sity ,c5t]s = ,excell5ce 9        
,developm5tal ,disabilities ,education1 

,rese>*1 & ,s]vices support$ "u subtitle
 ,d ( title ,i ( t ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4  
#aejfa et seq471 p>ticipat+ 9 activities
 "u t ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejja et     
seq472  7#aa7 ,/ate ag5cies & area      
ag5cies on ag+1 entities c>ry+ out      
long-t]m c>e ombudsman programs1 & o!r  
entities fund$ "u ! ,old] ,am]icans ,act
 ( #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjja et seq472 
7#ab7 heal? c>e provid]s & educators1   
heal? c>e advocacy organizations1 nurs+ 
home provid]s1 & in/itutional long-t]m  
c>e facilities2  7#ac7 pr(essional      
organizations & organizations t c]tify  
pres]vice tra9+ programs2 &  7#ad7 o!r  
gr\ps & entities z id5tifi$ by !        
eligible entity & ! advisory c\ncil ( ! 
eligible entity4  7d7 ,/akehold]        
collaboration ,a national res\rce c5t]  
%all collaborate )-- 7#a7 organizations 
( individuals ) significant expressive  
communication disabilities2  7#b7       
disability organizations2  7#c7 entities
 c>ry+ out ,/ate assi/ive te*nology     
programs & ,/ate alt]native f9anc+      

programs2  7#d7 ,/ate1 ,tribal1 & local 
educational ag5cies2  7#e7 ! c\ncils1   
sy/ems1 & univ]sity c5t]s describ$ 9    
subsection 7c77#aj72  7#f7 entities     
c>ry+ out national1 ,/ate1 ,tribal &    
,native ,hawaiian1 & local programs     
au?oriz$ by ! ,old] ,am]icans ,act (    
#aife2  7#g7 ! f$]ally fund$            
,rehabilitation ,eng9e]+ ,rese>* ,c5t]  
on ,augm5tative & ,alt]native           
,communication2  7#h7 ,/ate ag5cies     
responsible = vocational rehabilitation 
programs1 z def9$ 9 section #c ( !      
,work=ce ,innovation & ,opportunity ,act
 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb72  7#i7           
pr(essional associations ^: memb]s come 
9 contact ) & support individuals :o may
 use augm5tative & alt]native           
communication2  7#aj7 local bo>ds1 z    
def9$ 9 section #c ( ! ,work=ce         
,innovation & ,opportunity ,act 7#bi    
,u4,s4,c4 #cajb72 &  7#aa7 o!r ,/ate1   
regional1 ,tribal1 & local entities ) ! 
ability to provide support = individuals
 :o ne$ & use augm5tative & alt]native  

communication4  #aj4 ,annual report ,an 
eligible entity t receives a grant "u   
section #e to support a national res\rce
 c5t] %all annually prep>e & submit to !
 ,secret>y1 ! ,secret>y ( ,education1 & 
! relevant subcommittees ( ! ,committee 
on ,heal?1 ,education1 ,labor1 &        
,p5sions ( ! ,s5ate1 ! ,special         
,committee on ,ag+ ( ! ,s5ate1 & !      
,committee on ,education & ,labor ( !   
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 ! ,subcommittee
 on ,labor1 ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices1   
,education1 & ,relat$ ,ag5cies ( !      
,committee on ,appropriations ( !       
,s5ate1 & ! ,subcommittee on ,labor1    
,heal? & ,human ,s]vices1 ,education1 & 
,relat$ ,ag5cies ( ! ,committee on      
,appropriations ( ! ,h\se (             
,repres5tatives a report conta9+1       
consi/5t ) crit]ia e/abli%$ by !        
,secret>y1 in=mation on-- 7#a7          
activities conduct$ by ! national       
res\rce c5t] to a*ieve ! purpose ( ?is  
,act2  7#b7 collaboration by ! national 
res\rce c5t] ) o!r entities to a*ieve ! 

purposes ( ?is ,act2  7#c7 b>ri]s to &  
/rategies = equitable access to         
augm5tative & alt]native communication &
 o!r supports = individuals :o belong to
 racial1 e?nic1 & l+ui/ic m9ority       
communities & face a great] likelihood (
 be+ born ) or acquir+ significant      
expressive communication disabilities z 
well z add$ difficulties 9 obta9+       
effective augm5tative & alt]native      
communication2  7#d7 id5tifi$ gaps 9    
available demographic & *>act]i/ic data 
on individuals ) significant expressive 
communication disabilities 9 ! ,unit$   
,/ates2 &  7#e7 ! unmet ne$s (          
individuals ) significant expressive    
communication disabilities1 f div]se    
backgr\nds1 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates & policy  
recomm5dations to address su* unmet     
ne$s4  #aa4 ,au?orization (             
appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be   
appropriat$ to c>ry out ?is ,act        
#i1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbc    
?r\gh #bjbg4