HR0745 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0745 LRB101 18750 MST 68205 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Many Illinoisans with developmental disabilities encounter obstacles in their lives that can be overcome with technology; and

WHEREAS, Innovative supportive technology positively impacts the lives of Illinoisans with developmental disabilities at home and in their communities; and

WHEREAS, "Supportive technology" includes any product, device, or equipment that may be used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, With continuing technological advancements, Illinoisans with developmental disabilities increasingly have more opportunities to access innovative supportive technology that lowers barriers that people with disabilities encounter in their daily lives and promotes their independence, confidence, and abilities; and

WHEREAS, Illinoisans recognize that supportive technology in the workplace can enable individuals with disabilities to perform jobs and tasks in order to seek or maintain employment to achieve independence; and

WHEREAS, The demand for direct support staff who assist people with developmental disabilities is projected to increase, and technology is one tool that can help supplement and assist those who do the important work of supporting individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, While Illinois recognizes that human relationships are an essential part of all of our lives, supportive technology can connect people with disabilities with additional assistance to supplement and enhance the support they receive; and

WHEREAS, Illinois aims to ensure supportive technology solutions are considered when determining the appropriate services and supports to be provided for people with developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Illinois should commit to a statewide initiative to expand access to supportive technology designed to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Governor and the State of Illinois to adopt the principles of Technology First, a commitment that citizens with development disabilities be afforded opportunities to improve their lives through supportive technology and that supportive technology be prioritized when considering services and support needs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Technology First Council is created to study ways to expand the use of supportive technology for Illinoisans with developmental disabilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Council shall consist of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) The Director of the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair;

(2) The Director of the Illinois Council of Developmental Disabilities or his or her designee; and

(3) The following members who shall be appointed by the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities:

(a) One member who represents an organization that works with or advocates on behalf of persons with autism and related conditions;

(b) One member who represents an Independent Service Coordination Agency in the State of Illinois;

(c) Two members who represent an intellectual or developmental disability advocacy organization;

(d) One member who is familiar with supportive technology research and who represents an institute of higher learning;

(e) Two members representing existing service providers who have significant experience using supportive technology to provide services to people with developmental disabilities;

(f) One member who is the parent or guardian of an individual with a developmental disability who has significant experience with the use of supportive technology; and

(g) One member who is a person with a developmental disability and who has significant experience with the use of supportive technology; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities shall provide administrative support to the Council; and

RESOLVED, That the Council is charged with the following tasks:

(1) Develop state policy to encourage the use of supportive technology and to align Illinois Administrative Code waiver service rules with that policy;

(2) Identify and address areas where sufficient support is not currently available or where additional options may be needed to assist those with developmental disabilities to gain access to supportive technology;

(3) Identify best practices, effective partnerships, and opportunities for shared services among existing providers of developmental disabilities to increase supportive technology opportunities for those with developmental disabilities;

(4) Recommend ways to integrate supportive technology into existing programs to move with school aged youth as they transition into adult services;

(5) Develop recommendations on ways to expand the Discovery and Personal Plan to include supportive technology in the person-centered planning process; and

(6) Recommend system-level benchmarks for monitoring use of supportive technology and person-centered outcomes that demonstrate increased quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the council shall submit its final report to the Governor and the Illinois General Assembly no later than January 1, 2021, and is dissolved upon the filing of its report; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Governor.