individuals who belong to racial or ethnic minority communities face a greater likelihood of being born with or acquiring expressive communication disabilities, as well as added difficulties in obtaining intervention services, including augmentative and alternative communication. (7) Individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities, schools, families, employers, direct support providers, health care providers, the justice system, and the general public need more information about how to effectively deploy, implement, and ensure continued access to robust communication tools, services, and other supports for individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities. (8) The lived experiences and writings of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities demonstrate the positive impact augmentative and alternative communication has on their lives. These lived experiences and writings also illustrate the harm that results from denying augmentative and alternative communication to those who need it. (9) The leadership of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities is critical in crafting and implementing effective policies and programs affecting their lives, including policies and programs regarding augmentative and alternative communication. (10) The freedoms of expression, and to be understood, are essential to both democracy and to individual well-being. Individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities must be afforded equal rights, opportunities, strategies, technologies, services, and other supports to effectively express themselves and participate in their communities and in democracy. 3. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to work toward eliminating the continued discrimination, isolation, marginalization, and denial of equal opportunity of individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities by providing for comprehensive national training, technical assistance, and resource centers to improve— (1) access to