United States Assistive Technology Policy Library
The United States Assistive Technology Policy Library includes only congressional, legislative, or Governor actions that pertain to assistive technology either primarily or in minor regards. Policies such as Medicaid or state administrative codes are not covered here at this time. There also won’t be minor amendment bills such as Florida’s bill in 2017.
2026
Arizona
Passed legislation creating the Technology First Study Committee. 3DA wrote this legislation.​
Hawaii
Passed the ​Hawaii Braille Literacy Education Act: “Requires the Department of Education to include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances,” including AT and AT services be provided for braille.​
Maryland
Passed legislation allowing affiliated foundations to support the Maryland Assistive Technology Program and AT Guaranteed Loan Program, including fundraising and partnerships to expand AT access​.
2025
Maryland
Passed legislation allowing their State AT program to charge for some services while still offering federal services for free​
South Carolina
Passed legislation to recognize itself as a technology first state and to commit to technology first principles. ​
Maryland
Governor made proclamation declared August 15, 2025 as Technology First Day in Maryland.
California
Passed legislation supporting right to repair for powered wheelchairs.
Nevada
Passed legislation supporting right to repair for wheelchairs with some exeptions.
Oregon
Passed legislation expanding current right to repair law to include motorized wheelchairs and complex mobility devices.
Washington
Passed right to repair legislation for all wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and power assist devices.
2024
California
California passed AB 3193, allowing streamlined contracting for assistive technology devices and services under $10,000 through the Department of Rehabilitation.
Congress
Passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, adding protections related to wheelchairs and mobility aids, including handling, stowage, training, and complaints ​
2023
Illinois
Passed legislation requiring the consideration of AT in educational transition services as it related to future employment, education, independent living, etc
2022
Congress
Passed the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act, a reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act.
Maryland
The Governor's proclamation declares Maryland a Technology First State, committing "to empowering all Marylanders with disabilities to have access to technology that will help them live, work and play in their communities."
2021
Illinois
Passed legislation that amends the state Procurement Code to not apply to assistive technology acquisitions or other reasonable accommodations.
Virginia
Passed legislation that created a workgroup comprised of individuals with developmental disabilities, families, and advocates to study solutions for increased virtual supports and services, including the use of assistive technologies
Ohio
Codified Technology First in HB 110, requiring state agencies to support access to innovative technology for people with developmental disabilities
2019
Minnesota
Passed legislation creating the Technology First Task Force.
Washington
Passed legislation that promotes awareness of modern hearing devices.
2018
Ohio
Created the Technology First Task Force via Governor Executive Order.
Illinois
Passed legislation that requires written notice to parents if a student with an IEP is found to not need assistive technology; the writing includes their state’s AT program information.
Congress
Passed the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act, amending copyright law to reproduce materials for the visually impaired.
Congress
Passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, strengthening protections for passengers traveling with wheelchairs, mobility aids, and other assistive devices.
2015
Congress
Passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which adds an emphasis on assistive technology for students and legally legitimizes universal design for learning (UDL).
2014
Congress
Passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), incorporating assistive technology devices and services into vocational rehabilitation and workforce programs and requiring coordination with State AT Programs.
Congress
Passed the ABLE Act, allowing ABLE funds to be used for qualified disability expenses including assistive technology and personal support services.
2008
Congress
Passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act, improving access and services for disabled university students.
Congress
Passed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, expressly recognizing the use of assistive technology and other mitigating measures in disability determinations.
2006
Congress
Amended the Older Americans Act to include assistive technology devices and services in aging programs and federal coordination.
2005
Florida
Passed legislation requiring interagency agreements so assistive technology devices can remain with youth with disabilities during transitions across early intervention, school, employment, and community settings.
2004
Congress
Reauthorized the Assistive Technology Act, making changes to require annual reporting, consistent activities, and set the formula grant minimum to $410,000/year for states.
Congress
Passed the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act, a reauthorization of IDEA, increasing further measures and requirements for assistive technology consideration for students with an individualized education plan (IEP).
Delaware
Passed legislation that created assistive device warranty for all devices.
2002
Congress
Passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, which included increased accessibility and updated polling technologies.
2000
Congress
Passed the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, amending the previous reauthorization
Missouri
Passed legislation creating an assistive technology loan program and permanent AT Loan Revolving Fund to help finance assistive technology devices and services.
Congress
Established the Department of Defense Assistive Technology Accommodations Program through the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act.
1999
Indiana
Passed assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Vermont
Passed assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Arkansas
Passed a wheelchair warranty law covering manual and motorized wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and van lifts.
1998
Congress
Passed the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
Congress
Passed the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, which strengthened Section 508, requiring accessible federal electronic and information technology.
Arizona
Passed a warranty law covering all assistive devices.
Iowa
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices but hearing aids.
Kentucky
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
New Mexico
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
North Carolina
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
South Carolina
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Virginia
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
West Virginia
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
1997
Congress
Passed the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which required assistive technology to be considered for each student with an IEP.
Florida
Passed an assistive device warranty law covering all assistive devices.
Iowa
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices but hearing aids.
Connecticut
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices but hearing aids.
Maine
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices but hearing aids.
Nebraska
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Nevada
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Utah
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Colorado
Passed a wheelchair warranty law.
Hawaii
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
1996
Kansas
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all assistive devices.
New York
Passed a wheelchair warranty law.
Ohio
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Oklahoma
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
South Dakota
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Congress
Passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Kentucky
Passed legislation which created an Assistive Technology Loan Fund to provide reduced-interest loans and loan guarantees for assistive technology purchases.
1995
Kansas
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all assistive devices.
New York
Passed a wheelchair warranty law.
Ohio
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Oklahoma
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
South Dakota
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices.
Congress
Passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Kentucky
Passed legislation which created an Assistive Technology Loan Fund to provide reduced-interest loans and loan guarantees for assistive technology purchases.
1994
Congress
Reauthorized the Assistive Technology Act with amendments.
Illinois
Passed an assistive device warranty law, covering all devices but hearing aids.
Maryland
Passed a motorized wheelchair warranty law.
Pennsylvania
Passed a motorized wheelchair warranty law.
Michigan
Passed a wheelchair warranty law.
1993
Georgia
Passed an assistive device warranty law, which now covers all devices.
Louisiana
Passed an assistive device warranty law, which covers all devices.
1992
Wisconsin
Passed a wheelchair warranty law.
Congress
Passed The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, which expanded 'rehabilitation technology' to include assistive technology devices and services.
1991
Congress
Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) added "assistive technology" and "assistive technology services."
1990
Congress
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, creating accessibility standards for the country and giving people the right to supplementary aids and technology under Title II, III, and IV.
Congress
Amended the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to expressly include assistive technology devices and services in supports promoting independence and community living.
1988
Congress
The Assistive Technology Act was first signed into law, creating grants for state assistive technology programs to provide provisionary efforts for the state.
1986
Congress
Passed The Air Carrier Access Act, banning discrimination against disabled travelers.
1975
Congress
Passed The Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights and Bill of Rights Act, which createed the following programs for each state: Protection and Advocacy agencies, developmental disability councils, university centers for excellence in developmental disability (UCEDDs), and projects of national significance.
Congress
Passed the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA), now referred to as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
1973
Congress
Passed The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which mandates equal access, including supplemental aids and digital access to use assistive technology. Notable sections include Sections 504 and 508
1965
Congress
Passed the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1965.
1963
Congress
Passed the first version of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
1954
Congress
Passed the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1954, which increased funding, among other things.
1920
Congress
Passed the Smith-Fess Act, creating the civilian vocational rehabilitation program
1879
Congress
The Federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind was passed.