The council shall advocate for assistive technology policies, regulations and programs, and shall establish a consumer-responsive, comprehensive assistive technology service delivery system. The council shall:
(1)Promote awareness of the needs of individuals with disabilities for assistive technology devices and services and the efficacy of providing such devices and services to allow persons with disabilities to be productive and independent;
(2)Gain an understanding of current policies, practices, and procedures that facilitate or impede the availability or provision of assistive technology and recommend methods to streamline such policies;
(3)Research and study data from the major public and private providers of assistive technology regarding numbers and types of devices and s
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The council shall advocate for assistive technology policies, regulations and programs, and shall establish a consumer-responsive, comprehensive assistive technology service delivery system. The council shall:
(1) Promote awareness of the needs of individuals with disabilities for assistive technology devices and services and the efficacy of providing such devices and services to allow persons with disabilities to be productive and independent;
(2) Gain an understanding of current policies, practices, and procedures that facilitate or impede the availability or provision of assistive technology and recommend methods to streamline such policies;
(3) Research and study data from the major public and private providers of assistive technology regarding numbers and types of devices and services delivered;
(4) Establish interagency coordination mechanisms among state agencies and public and private entities that provide assistive technology devices and services in an effort to eliminate gaps and reduce duplication of such services to individuals with disabilities;
(5) Foster the capacity of public and private entities to provide assistive technology devices and services so that individuals with disabilities of all ages will, to the extent appropriate, be able to secure and maintain possession of assistive technology as needed to function independently and productively;
(6) Recommend and implement specific methods and programs to increase availability of and funding for assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities;
(7) Employ staff necessary to implement assistive technology services and programs assigned to the council, with all employees exempt from the state merit system under chapter 36 ;
(8) Enter into grants or contracts with public or private agencies, schools, or qualified individuals or organizations to deliver federally required or otherwise necessary assistive technology programs and services, including but not limited to assistive device demonstration programs, device recycling programs, device loan programs, financial loan programs, and assistive technology assessments, installation, and usage training for individuals with disabilities, with or without utilizing the procurement procedures of the office of administration;
(9) Administer the assistive technology trust fund created in section 161.930 , including the formation of a not-for-profit corporation that qualifies as a Section 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
(10) Accept, administer, and disburse federal moneys as the lead agency for the federal Assistive Technology Act of 2004, P.L. 108-364, and any amendments or successors thereto, as well as moneys from the assistive technology trust fund created in section 161.930 , and any other moneys appropriated, granted, or given for the purpose of implementing assistive technology programs and services; and
(11) Report annually by January first to the governor and the general assembly on council activities and the results of its studies, programs, services, and recommendations to increase access to assistive technology.