The Office of Advocate for Persons with Disabilities (OAPD) provides information and referral services to persons with disabilities and will have a staff of 16 persons during State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2003-04. The Office operates a statewide clearinghouse, consisting of a telephone hotline and a computer Website. Together, OAPD and the Department of Health (DOH) form the Interagency Partnership on Assistive Technology. The Partnership coordinates the federally funded Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Project. At the 12 regional TRAID centers, individuals with disabilities are able to gain access to technological devices and services, and learn about emerging technology, services and programs available to them, and their rights under the law.

This agency is included in the Health and Mental Hygiene appropriation bill.

State Operations

The Executive recommends an All Funds appropriation of $1,593,000, a net increase of $8,000 or one half of one percent. This increase represents the net impact of two actions: a re-estimate of personal service needs that yielded savings of $14,000, and an increase in federal grant support of $22,000.