HB1685

This bill will help NH to acquire additional funding for technology and assistive technology to support independence for our aging population and those living with disabilities. The fact that most other states are already Technology First States and are accessing funding and resources to support the public and that we are not means we are missing out on funds to help our more vulnerable populations. I encourage you to support this bill and do some reading here about the impact this can have for NH residents. https://stateofthestates.ku.edu/technology-first

Dear Chairman and Committee, My name is Sam Shepherd, and I’m the Founder of 3DA, a nonprofit advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities across the country; our two main priorities being legal rights and assistive technology. I presented this bill idea to Representative Howard, as technology first initiatives are needed in New Hampshire. As Dr. Shea Tanis of the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Kansas defines technology first, it is “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” The state of the states project also has research showing that New Hampshire is 1 of 10 states to have zero reported technology first benchmarks, but that can change this legislative session. States such as Ohio and Tennessee have been two of the leaders in technology first initiatives. Ohio began their efforts in 2018 when Governor John Kasich signed an executive order to create a technology first task force. Tennessee has an enabling technology initiative embedded in their Department of Disability and Aging. Minnesota also created a technology first task force via legislation in 2019. This group is essential for the discovery and of technology first and providing recommendations for New Hampshire to implement, which may include future cross-agency collaborations, waivers for remote supports, individualized service plans to require consideration of assistive technology, assistive technology access initiatives, and more. I am running essentially the same bill in Arizona, which received bipartisan support in committee, passing 8-0, as this is a nonpartisan issue. Thank you for your time today, and please vote yes on this bill that will lead to better futures for people with disabilities in New Hampshire.