top of page

AZ HB2700: Technology First Study Committee


This bill was previously run in 2025 under the bill number HB2801, which you can read about here. 3DA brought this bill idea forward, and from there, it passed the House with a vote of 40-17, but was ultimately halted in the Senate. 


HB2700, cited as “Technology First Study Committee,” aims to create a group of key stakeholders in the field of developmental disabilities and assistive technology to discover, and thus implement, Technology First initiatives in Arizona. Dr. Shea Tanis defines Technology First as a “framework for systems change where technology is considered first in the discussion of support options available to individuals and families through person-centered approaches to promote meaningful participation, social inclusion, self-determination and quality of life [1].” Arizona is 1 of 10 states with no recorded benchmarks in Technology First, leaving Arizona far behind in technological solutions provided for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)[2]. Technological solutions include assistive technology, enabling technology, and remote supports.


Technological solutions give individuals more independence, help alleviate caregiver burnout or DSP shortages, and are cost effective long term [2]. Arizona needs Technology First initiatives in order to support all three areas mentioned. It’s important to note that technological solutions won’t be for every person with IDD, and each solution needs to be what each individual wants.  

 

Before mentioning what other states do regarding technology first, it’s important to mention that Arizona (and every other state) has a state assistive technology program dedicated to serving people with assistive technology needs by providing device demonstrations, loans, refurbishing, and more. AzTAP and other statewide assistive technology programs are guaranteed under the Assistive Technology Act, which was first signed into law in 1988 and was most recently reauthorized in 2022 [3].  

While these programs are essential for supporting people with disabilities across the state, there needs to be cross-agency collaborations and increased support for individuals to gain access to AT and other technological solutions. 


Leading States in Technology First 


It's important to note what other states are doing in their work in Technology First. Ohio and Tennessee are two of the leading states in technology first initiatives. Ohio began their Technology First work in 2018 when Governor Kasich created a task force by executive order, which made Ohio the first state to commit to technology first [4]. Currently, Ohio does the following:


  1. Requires every individual with an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) to be considered for remote supports that are supported by waivers [5].

  2. Online resources on their Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) website [6].

  3. Initiatives for increased AT and remote supports usage among their served IDD population [7].   



Tennessee was also early in their Technology First Work, beginning around the same time. Some things Tennessee does in regards to Technology First include:



There are additional states that the State of the States has indicated as “expert states” or “advanced states” in Technology First, including the following [2]:


Minnesota:


Maryland


Missouri 

  • Resources through their department [14]

  • Medicaid waivers supporting assistive technology and remote supports [15].


For more on Technology First, you can go to the Kansas University State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [2].   





Sources 


[1]: Tanis, E. Shea. "Technology First." State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, University of Kansas, 2019, stateofthestates.ku.edu/technology-first.


[2]: State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. "Technology First." University of Kansas, Life Span Institute, 2026, stateofthestates.ku.edu/technology-first.


[3]: Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP). "Assistive Technology Act - ATAP." ATAP, 2026, ataporg.org/at-act-info/.


[4]: Ohio, Governor. "Executive Order 2018-06K: The Establishment of the Technology First Initiative and the Ohio Technology First Council to Expand the Use of Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities." Signed by John R. Kasich, 24 May 2018. Nisonger Center, Ohio State University, nisonger.osu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Technology-First-State-Signed-Executive-Order.pdf.


[5]: “OH Self Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver (0877.R03.00).” Medicaid.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/OH#0877.


[6]: “Technology First.” Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, 2024, dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/resources/tech-first/Technology-First/.


[7]: Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. “Ohio Tech Goals.” Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, 19 Aug. 2019, dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/resources/tech-first/Tech-Goals.  


[8]: Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. “Enabling Technology.” TN.gov, 2024, www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/enabling-technology.html.


[9]: “Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs).” Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, 2024, www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/maps.html. 


[10]: “Minnesota Technology First Advisory Task Force.” Minnesota Agencies, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 13 Oct. 2021, www.lrl.mn.gov/agencies/detail?AgencyID=2393. 


[11]: Maryland Department of Health. “Technology First.” Developmental Disabilities Administration, 2025, health.maryland.gov/dda/Pages/Technology-First.aspx.


[12]: “Maryland Technology First Day Proclaimed 2025.” Maryland Department of Health, 4 Aug. 2025, health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/Maryland-Technology-First-Day-Proclaimed-2025.aspx.


[13]: “Community Pathways Waiver.” Maryland Department of Health, 2025, health.maryland.gov/dda/Pages/community%20pathways.aspx.


[14]: “Technology First Initiative.” Missouri Department of Mental Health, dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/technology-first/initiative.


[15]: “State Medicaid Waivers.” AT3 Center, 2024, https://at3center.net/state-medicaid-waivers/.

 
 
Donate
bottom of page