H.R. 10333 — AACCENT Act

This section states congressional findings that communication is a basic human right, that at least 4,000,000 people in the United States cannot reliably meet daily communication needs using natural speech, and that individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities face discrimination, institutionalization, limited education, unemployment, and poorer health outcomes, with added barriers for racial and ethnic minorities.

This section establishes the purpose of the Act as eliminating discrimination, isolation, marginalization, and denial of equal opportunity for individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities. It does so by creating comprehensive national training, technical assistance, and resource centers to improve access to augmentative and alternative communication, equal opportunity, legal and policy awareness, leadership and self-advocacy skills, capacity for individuals and families, national statistical data, and societal awareness.

This section defines terms for the Act, including an 11-person advisory council composed exclusively of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities who have diverse backgrounds and serve 5-year terms; an eligible entity as a U.S.-headquartered partnership led by a nonprofit controlled by such individuals and advised by the council; augmentative and alternative communication as any tool, method, technology, or support used to supplement or replace speech; and significant expressive communication disability as any condition preventing or limiting spoken-word understanding or expression.

This section directs the Secretary to award three grants, totaling up to $9,000,000 per year, to eligible entities to create and operate a network of National Resource Centers on Augmentative and Alternative Communication in three geographically diverse locations. One center serves as the lead administrative center to coordinate activities, specialization, information sharing, and service to the full range of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities, with each grant awarded for five-year periods.

This section establishes the priority activities of a national resource center on augmentative and alternative communication for individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities. It requires the center to expand access to such tools regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, immigration status, disability severity, or other factors; build capacity among educators, families, and providers through evidence-based training; promote awareness of relevant laws and policies; support advocacy and leadership by affected individuals and families; improve cross-disability data collection on barriers and unmet needs; and increase public awareness of the benefits of effective communication supports.

This section requires eligible entities to submit grant applications that include descriptions of partner organizations’ experience providing training and support on augmentative and alternative communication to specified audiences, plans for priority activities and accessible formats, advisory council membership and selection procedures, involvement of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities, and assurances on stakeholder collaboration and data reporting to the Secretary.

This section directs the Secretary to give grant award priority to an eligible entity with at least one partner organization that has a minimum of three years of experience providing training, technical assistance, and information dissemination on augmentative and alternative communication for individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities; involves such individuals in its governance, operations, and leadership positions; demonstrates ability to collaborate with disability self-advocacy, education, health care, employment, aging, caregiver, and housing organizations; and shows expertise in accessibility and universal design.

This section requires national resource centers receiving grants to use funds for managing priority activities on self-advocacy, supported decision making, person-centered planning, community living, and competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with significant expressive communication disabilities. It directs coordination with federal programs to improve outcomes in education, employment, health, and community integration; dissemination of information on augmentative and alternative communication to specified stakeholders including educational agencies, employers, government programs, and advocacy organizations; collaboration with disability organizations and state agencies; and limits administrative costs to 15 percent of funds.

This section requires the lead administrative center, in coordination with other national resource centers funded under section 5, to annually prepare and submit a report on activities, collaborations, barriers to equitable access for racial and ethnic minority communities, gaps in demographic data, and unmet needs of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities, along with policy recommendations. The report must be submitted to the Secretary, the Secretary of Education, and specified Senate and House committees and subcommittees.