Minnesota Agencies

The advisory task force shall advise the commissioner of human services on strategies to increase the use of supportive technology in services and programs the commissioner administers for persons with disabilities to enable them to live more independently in community settings, work in competitive integrated environments, participate in inclusive community activities, and increase quality of life. The advisory task force will provide an annual written report with recommendations to the commissioner by June 30 of each year of its existence, beginning June 30, 2020.

The task force's entry in the 2020 Annual Compilation and Statistical Report of Multi-Member Agencies Report details their work:

"This task force has met quarterly since October 2019 and will continue through June 30, 2021. They approved a charter and created a work plan. The first meetings were about educating the task force on the different kinds of technology available, how people can be assessed for using technology, and how it can be funded. In addition, the task force identified barriers to people using technology.

"The April meeting was postponed by one month due to COVID-19 and moved to an on-line platform. The discussion at this meeting changed the trajectory of the task force's planned work to design and communicate a public relations campaign to educate people on the successful use of technology and address the risks people perceived. COVID-19 made everyone adapt to using technology because there was no other choice. The members living with a disability found equity in everyone having to use technology because of the structure of the meeting allowed for them to use prepare their thoughts and not be talked over by others. They also said they could participate more because they did not have to wait for Metro Mobility rides and it saved them a lot of time.

"We ended the last meeting in July [2020] with a plan on how we would develop and vet the recommendations with the task force. They plan to create categories of recommendations and use small group meetings outside of the task force quarterly meetings to further develop them and bring back to the full group for approval. There was an annual report to the commissioner due on June 30, 2020. Due the demands of COVID-19 and limited staff resources, we have requested that the commissioner approve us only providing one report at the end of the task force by June 30, 2021."

By law, the advisory task force expires on June 30, 2021.

The advisory task force must include: one representative of the Department of Human Services; two representatives of the counties; one representative of the Associations of Residential Resources in Minnesota; one representative from the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation; one representative of the Disability Law Center; one representative of the Arc Minnesota; one representative from STAR Services; one representative from the Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Committee; one representative from NAMI Minnesota; one representative from Advocating Change Together; two individuals with disabilities accessing supportive technology; and one parent advocate.

See appendix A of the task force's final report for the list of individuals who served on the task force. 

Persons with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities are eligible for compensation for participation in this task force.