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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Madalena

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

02/01/07

HB 214

SHORT TITLE Native American Independent Living Assistance

SB

ANALYST Geisler

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$250.0

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 214 appropriates $250,000 to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department to en-

hance independent living services for Native Americans who are disabled or elderly. The en-

hancements are to be provided by removing architectural barriers in homes and by purchasing

adaptive equipment.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

ALTSD notes that the appropriation contained for this program is not in the executive budget

request.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

ALTSD provides that home modifications and assistive technology empower a person with a dis-

ability or elder to accomplish daily tasks independently or with less effort. The result is often an

increase in self esteem, available energy, and general well-being. This in turn enhances the

House Bill 214 -- Page

2

individual’s ability to benefit from other independent living services and to participate fully in

family, community, and work life.

Using the appropriate adaptive equipment, such as a mobility device, can also stabilize or im-

prove the health of a person with a disability, decreasing the need for medical care or helping to

avoid nursing home placement.

Discussions at community meetings held by Independent Living Resource in the Pueblos over

the last year have revealed that many Native people with disabilities and elders are currently liv-

ing in houses that are not accessible and that there is an overwhelming need for home modifica-

tions in existing homes. Architectural barriers limit the ability of individuals to do basic tasks at

home and to get out and be involved in activities away from the house. Examples of needed

modifications include entrance ramps, wider doorways, grab bars, modifications to the bathroom

and clearance under the sink. Information about assistive technology is not readily available to

the community at large and many Native people with disabilities and elders struggle to live inde-

pendently without the benefit of assistive and adaptive equipment that could improve their qual-

ity of life.

Home modifications that might be funded include such items as: interior and exterior ramps,

landing platforms at top and bottom of ramps, widening doors, grab bars for bathrooms, tub and

shower modifications, accessible toilets, lever door handles and accessible cabinets.

Assistive devices that might be funded include such items as: screen readers for computers,

automatic door openers, lifts/ramps for vans, hand controls for driving, wheelchair carriers for

autos, shower benches, ceiling track lights, voice-activated computer software and home envi-

ronmental controls

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

ALTSD notes that they could operate the program in a fashion similar to the GAP program.

Under that program, ALTSD issues vouchers for home modifications to individuals on the D&E

registry. The department would consider partnering, through a contractual arrangement, with

independent living resource centers to implement this initiative. The implementation of this pro-

gram can be accomplished with a minimal administrative impact on the Department.

GG/sb