How Demographic Data Can Strengthen Equity and Efficiency
The 21st Century Assistive Technology Act
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8245383 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Susan Rogers (0009-0005-2329-3242, The Hertie School of Governance), Sawyer B Rogers (Hertie School, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-13 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-03 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Public Integrity (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1558-0989 • E-ISSN: 1099-9922 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10999922.2026.2632392 |
| OpenAlex | W7133695217 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 32 |
The 21st Century Assistive Technology Act in December 2022 reauthorized federal funding for state programs to spread awareness and provide assistive technology services to the public. This article analyzes the effectiveness of the act in the areas of equity, efficiency, and savings. The article uses comparative and textual analysis of the bill and its past iterations and descriptive statistical analysis of disability demographics and program data to conduct this analysis. The article finds that the act improves equity for certain groups with higher rates of disability yet leaves out other groups, achieves cost-efficiency across most states, and creates substantial cost savings for consumers. The act does address some gaps in assistive technology among older adult and veteran populations yet does not explicitly increase representation for gender, LGBT, rural, or other demographic groups with higher prevalence of disability. This article recommends that policymakers utilize demographic figures to improve the equity and efficiency of funding allocation, increase the representation of LGBT, rural, and other groups with higher disability prevalence within the design and implementation process, and remove states’ ability to opt out of providing certain activities such as financing to improve the effectiveness of the act and savings for individuals
Assistive technology · Equity (law · Intergenerational equity · Pay Equity · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Digital Accessibility for Disabilities · Diverse Perspectives in Modern Studies
Policy Analysis
Older people, assistive technologies, and the barriers to adoption
Thematic analysis.
A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis
Access and Benefits
A Way Forward for Bipartisan Health Reform? Democrat and Republican State Legislator Priorities for the Goals of Health Policy
| Highly cited | No |
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