WHEREAS,  twenty-eight million United States citizens have cognitive disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, autism and severe, persistent mental illness or cognitive disabilities resulting from brain injury, stroke or neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease; and

WHEREAS,  persons with cognitive disabilities are entitled to inclusion in our democratic society under federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as under state and local laws; and

WHEREAS,  the convergence of computing and communication technologies has substantially altered how people acquire, use and disseminate knowledge and information; and

WHEREAS,  access to comprehensible information and usable communication technologies is necessary for all people in our society, particularly for persons with cognitive disabilities, to promote self-determination and to engage meaningfully in major aspects of life such as education, health promotion, employment, recreation and civic participation; and

WHEREAS,  the vast majority of persons with cognitive disabilities have limited or no access to comprehensible information and usable communication technologies; and

WHEREAS,  persons with cognitive disabilities must have access to commercially available devices and software that incorporate principles of universal design such as flexibility and ease of use for all; and

WHEREAS,  technology and information access by persons with cognitive disabilities must be guided by standards and best practices such as personalization and compatibility across devices and platforms and the application of innovations, including automated and predictive technologies; and

WHEREAS,  ensuring access to technology and information for persons with cognitive disabilities in the United States will create new markets and employment opportunities, decrease dependency on public services, reduce health care costs and improve the independence, productivity and quality of life of persons with cognitive disabilities; now, therefore, be it