Sec. 6. National resource center priority activities
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/bill/117/s/2/is/section-6A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The priority activities of a national resource center shall be to— increase access to and effective implementation of the full range of augmentative and alternative communication for all individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities in the United States, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, LGBTQ+ status, immigration status, educational achievement, socioeconomic condition, primary language, nature or severity of disability, location of residence, and age of onset of the significant expressive communication disability; increase the capacity of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities, educators, professional service providers, families, and direct support professionals to support individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities by creating and disseminating evidence-based knowledge, resources, training and technical assistance, and recommended practices in ensuring individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities have the tools and other supports necessary to exercise self-determination and effectively access and participate in all aspects of life, including education, employment, health care, and community living; promote awareness and implementation of the laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and systems that facilitate access to the full range of augmentative and alternative communication and promote equal access and opportunity for individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities; support and enhance the skills and leadership of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities and their families to advocate for the rights of the individuals to effective communication, education, self-determination, access to justice, and equal opportunity and participation in all aspects of life; support the improved collection, availability, and dissemination of demographic and characteristic data, with a cross-disability and cross-generational focus, regarding individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities in the United States, the barriers the individuals experience to meaningful access to augmentative and alternative communication, and the unmet communication support and other needs of this population; and increase societal awareness and knowledge about individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities and the importance of, need for, benefits of, and rights to meaningful access to effective communication tools and other supports in all aspects of community and life.