§18B-11-4 Depositories for assistive devices and services. - West Virginia Statutes

§18B-11-4. Depositories for assistive devices and services.

There is hereby created under the authority, supervision and direction of the two governing boards of the state institutions of higher education, two assistive device depositories, one of which is to be located in a state supported college or university in the northern part of the state and the other depository is to be located in a state supported college or university in the southern part of the state. Each assistive device depository shall obtain assistive devices either through public or private funding, develop an inventory of assistive devices and services for individuals with disabilities, catalog equipment, receive and fulfill requests and track and maintain assistive devices.

In coordination with the secretary of education and the arts, the governing boards shall establish the depositories upon receipt of line item appropriations by the Legislature for such purposes. Educational agencies, including public and private educational agencies, public and private service agencies, individuals, families and communities shall have access to these depositories and the equipment and services available at each depository. Public and private higher education institutions shall have priority access to the depositories.

Each depository shall coordinate its activities with the West Virginia assistive technology system at the university affiliated center for developmental disabilities. Each depository shall undertake outreach efforts and shall coordinate services and equipment programs with other state and local agencies to share resources. Services to individuals with disabilities in higher education shall include, but not be limited to: Interpreters for the deaf, peer tutors, note takers, readers for the blind; and shall further be defined as community service under provisions of the national and community service act and other applicable state and federal statutes.