By Kitchen                                             H.R. No. 609
         77R9399 MMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Students and adults with disabilities have been
 1-2     historically underserved in the area of technology, and the Austin
 1-3     Independent School District's (AISD) AT-STAR project is designed to
 1-4     address this problem; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, The AT-STAR project is a $2,269,239 collaborative
 1-6     effort between eight agencies:  the AISD, Austin Community College,
 1-7     The University of Texas, Austin Harvard School, Mountain Shadows
 1-8     Academy, Sylvan Learning Center, Far South Community Schools, and
 1-9     Region XIII Education Service Center; AT-STAR funds come from a
1-10     federal initiative, the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, and are
1-11     distributed through the Texas Education Agency; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Members of the AT-STAR project will develop five
1-13     modules to teach educators about assistive technology, which is any
1-14     device "that is used to increase, maintain or improve the
1-15     functional capabilities" of those with disabilities; an additional
1-16     training module will be developed to meet the needs of students
1-17     with disabilities in higher education; and
1-18           WHEREAS, It is estimated that approximately 240 educators
1-19     will receive training through the AT-STAR project and that at least
1-20     1,700 public school students and 55 private school students will
1-21     benefit; ultimately the project may serve as a model that can be
1-22     used throughout the country; and
1-23           WHEREAS, The two AT-STAR training labs were designed and set
1-24     up by a group of about 80 students from the LBJ High School Science
 2-1     Academy, who will also be responsible for the remote management of
 2-2     the labs for the duration of the grant; Knowbility, a local
 2-3     nonprofit organization, will ensure that all the materials
 2-4     developed by the AT-STAR project meet accessibility standards for
 2-5     people with disabilities; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, By equipping educators to provide assistive
 2-7     technology services to students with disabilities and by raising
 2-8     parent, student, and community awareness of assistive technology,
 2-9     the AT-STAR project is providing vital aid to Texas students with
2-10     disabilities; now, therefore, be it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-12     Legislature hereby commend the AISD's AT-STAR project and extend to
2-13     all those associated with this project sincere best wishes for
2-14     success in this worthy endeavor.