CONTENTS OF STUDY.

SEC. 213. CONTENTS OF STUDY. The study conducted under section 212 shall— 102 STAT. 1061 (1) analyze the needs of States that are interested in developing and implementing consumer-responsive statewide programs of technology-related assistance; (2) describe the types of information and program referral networks (including electronic networks) in existence or under development at the time of the study, including— (A) the types of information and program referral incorporated into or provided by such networks; (B) the cost of maintaining such networks; (C) the types of services provided by such networks; (D) the types and numbers of individuals served by such networks; (E) the location of such networks and accessibility to other networks; and (F) the feasibility and desirability of linking such networks, including proposed plans and an estimate of the cost of such a linkage; (3) analyze the impediments to the exchange of information and the development and operation of such networks; (4) describe the information that should be incorporated into a national information and program referral network to ensure that the network serves the entire United States, in particular addressing the gaps in existing networks and methods of filling such gaps using networks in existence or under development at the time of the study; (5) describe the information systems from other fields of technology development that may be incorporated into a national information and program referral network on technology-related assistance; (6) analyze the issues involved in operating a national information and program referral network; (7) analyze and describe management and cost projections for a national information and program referral network; (8) evaluate operational alternatives including at least the advantages and disadvantages of— (A) grant arrangements, contracting arrangements, or other funding mechanisms or arrangements, and the lengths of any such arrangements; (B) various network configurations, including— (i) regionally distributed; (ii) focused on functional limitations; (iii) age-focused; (iv) expertise-centered; and (v) other network configurations; (C) costs associated with funding arrangements described in subparagraph (A) and network configurations described in subparagraph (B), and options for paying such costs, including the possible use of Federal funds, State funds, and other alternatives; (D) mechanisms of payment for information and program referral services; (E) mechanisms for ensuring that information systems remain current, have relevant and useful information, and provide information in a form that allows individuals with disabilities to make effective use of the information; 102 STAT. 1062 (F) forms of Federal oversight and independent evaluations that could be applied to a national information and program referral network; (G) types of staffing expertise required for different options; and (H) types of institutional oversight, such as governing boards and advisory panels; and (9) a timetable for implementation of various network options.