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JOINT RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND AUTISM TO TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION ACCESS
WHEREAS, twenty-eight million United States citizens have cognitive disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, autism and severe, persistent mental illness or cognitive disabilities resulting from brain injury, stroke or neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease; and
WHEREAS,  persons with cognitive disabilities are entitled to inclusion in our democratic society under federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as under state and local laws; and
WHEREAS,  the convergence of computing and communication technologies has substantially altered how people acquire, use and disseminate knowledge and information; and
WHEREAS,  access to comprehensible information and usable communication technologies is necessary for all people in our society, particularly for persons with cognitive disabilities, to promote self-determination and to engage meaningfully in major aspects of life such as education, health promotion, employment, recreation and civic participation; and
WHEREAS,  the vast majority of persons with cognitive disabilities have limited or no access to comprehensible information and usable communication technologies; and
WHEREAS,  persons with cognitive disabilities must have access to commercially available devices and software that incorporate principles of universal design such as flexibility and ease of use for all; and
WHEREAS,  technology and information access by persons with cognitive disabilities must be guided by standards and best practices such as personalization and compatibility across devices and platforms and the application of innovations, including automated and predictive technologies; and
WHEREAS,  ensuring access to technology and information for persons with cognitive disabilities in the United States will create new markets and employment opportunities, decrease dependency on public services, reduce health care costs and improve the independence, productivity and quality of life of persons with cognitive disabilities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Legislature now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to affirm our commitment to equal rights for persons with cognitive disabilities to technology and information access and we call for implementation of these rights with deliberate speed; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to Governor Paul LePage and to each member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.