Bond supports assistive technology tax break

Missouri Sen. Kit Bond announced his support for Clinton administration proposals to provide tax incentives for employers who use assistive technology to aid employees with disabilities.

"The rapid development of new technologies holds remarkable potential to help persons with disabilities work better and achieve more on the job," Bond said in a release. "We have a duty to help American business provide every reasonable incentive to better utilize the talent and skills that persons with disabilities can bring to the nation's work force."

Assistive technology includes products and devices that enhance and aid the ability of millions of physically and mentally disabled people to function better at work and home, Bond's release said.

The administration proposal, announced Jan. 13, seeks a $1,000 tax credit for employers for work-related expenses to accommodate people with disabilities. The program would provide $700 million during a five-year period to pay for the credits. The proposal would increase federal spending on incentive grants to encourage implementation of assistive technologies from $30 million in 1999 to $35 million in 2000.

Bond, as chairman of the Senate's Committee on Small Business, offered legislation in 1998 to expand the business incentives and tax credits.

Parts of Bond's proposed legislation were passed into law last year as the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The legislation included tax incentives to encourage and aid businesses in purchasing assistive technology-based products for employees with disabilities.

"Federally sponsored incentives of this type are crucial to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and to help them secure and maintain employment," Bond said.

He added that the programs are important to help small businesses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.