[Federal Register: April 22, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 77)]
[Notices]
[Page 19921-19925]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ap03-146]
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Part IV
Department of Education
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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Rehabilitation
Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) Program; Invitation for
Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 and Notice of Final Priorities;
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Final Priorities Notice
AGENCY: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priorities.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces final priorities under the
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) program for up to
nine awards for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR) for fiscal years (FYs) 2003 and later years. We take
this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We
intend these priorities to improve the rehabilitation services and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities are effective May 22, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 205-
5880.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475 or via the Internet:
donna.nangle@ed.gov. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
RERCs carry out research or demonstration activities by:
(a) Developing and disseminating innovative methods of applying
advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and
social knowledge to (1) solve rehabilitation problems and remove
environmental barriers and (2) study and evaluate new or emerging
technologies, products, or environments and their effectiveness and
benefits; or
(b) Demonstrating and disseminating (1) innovative models for the
delivery of cost-effective rehabilitation technology services to rural
and urban areas and (2) other scientific research to assist in meeting
the employment and independent living needs of individuals with severe
disabilities; or
(c) Facilitating service delivery systems change through (1) the
development, evaluation, and dissemination of consumer-responsive and
individual and family-centered innovative models for the delivery to
both rural and urban areas of innovative cost-effective rehabilitation
technology services and (2) other scientific research to assist in
meeting the employment and independence needs of individuals with
severe disabilities.
Each RERC must provide training opportunities, in conjunction with
institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, to assist
individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to become
rehabilitation technology researchers and practitioners.
We make awards for up to 60 months through grants or cooperative
agreements to public and private agencies and organizations, including
institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, and tribal
organizations, to conduct research, demonstration, and training
activities regarding rehabilitation technology in order to enhance
opportunities for meeting the needs of, and addressing the barriers
confronted by, individuals with disabilities in all aspects of their
lives. An RERC must be operated by or in collaboration with an
institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization.
General RERC Requirements
The following requirements apply to each RERC pursuant to these
absolute priorities unless noted otherwise. An applicant's proposal to
fulfill these requirements will be assessed using applicable selection
criteria in the peer review process.
Each RERC must have the capability to design, build, and test
prototype devices and assist in the transfer of successful solutions to
relevant production and service delivery settings. Each RERC must
evaluate the efficacy and safety of its new products, instrumentation,
or assistive devices.
Each RERC must develop and implement in the first three months of
the grant a plan that describes how the center will include, as
appropriate, individuals with disabilities or their representatives in
all phases of center activities including research, development,
training, dissemination, and evaluation.
Each RERC must develop and implement in the first year of the
grant, in consultation with the NIDRR-funded National Center for the
Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR), a plan to disseminate the
RERC's research results to persons with disabilities, their
representatives, disability organizations, service providers,
professional journals, manufacturers, and other interested parties.
Each RERC must develop and implement in the first year of the
grant, in consultation with the NIDRR-funded RERC on Technology
Transfer or other entities as appropriate, a plan for ensuring that all
new and improved technologies developed by this RERC are successfully
transferred to the marketplace.
Each RERC must conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its
respective area of research in the third year of the grant and publish
a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference in the
fourth year of the grant.
Each RERC will be expected to coordinate on research projects of
mutual interest with relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified
through consultation with the NIDRR project officer.
Centers of Excellence
RERCs are expected to function as Centers of Excellence, which are
defined by their degree of accountability, level of productivity,
integrity of internal activities, and the quality and relevance of
outputs and outcomes. The NIDRR Centers of Excellence Model identifies
four major areas of activity; these are: (1) Excellence in
administration and evaluation; (2) excellence in scientific research
and development; (3) excellence in capacity building and training for
research and development and practice; and (4) excellence in relevance
and productivity (including dissemination). Within these areas of
activity, RERCs must develop consumer and industrial partnerships to
ensure the relevance and appropriateness of research directions and to
transfer research-generated knowledge into commercial products. Each
RERC must operate as part of a national network and extend beyond the
boundaries of their programmatic objectives to become leaders in their
field, attract new research dollars, and significantly impact the
education of professionals, consumers, and manufacturers. For
information about NIDRR's Centers of Excellence Model, applicants are
invited to visit the following Web site: http://www.cessi.net/pr/RERC/Summative/CoEmodel.html.
Program Review
RERCs are required to participate in NIDRR's program review
process. Program review is a key element in NIDRR's quality assurance,
performance monitoring, and evaluation systems, providing an
opportunity for staff and
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key stakeholders to interact with grantees and provide feedback on
center activities. As part of this evaluation system, NIDRR conducts
both formative (early in the five-year funding cycle) and summative
(toward the end of the fourth year) reviews. The overall goal of the
formative review is to support grantees in achieving their planned
results and becoming centers of excellence across the four major areas
of activity. The overall goal of the summative review is to evaluate
the quality, relevance, and productivity of each center's results and
accomplishments. For more information about NIDRR's program review
process, applicants are invited to visit the following Web site: http://www.cessi.net/pr.
In accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued
funding depends at all times on satisfactory performance and
accomplishment.
These priorities reflect issues discussed in the New Freedom
Initiative (NFI) and NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (the Plan). The NFI can be
accessed on the Internet at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominiative.html.
The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR/Products/.
We published a notice of proposed priorities for the Rehabilitation
Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program in the Federal Register on
January 10, 2003 (67 FR 51744).
Except for minor revisions there are no significant differences
between the notice of proposed priorities and this notice of final
priorities.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes and
suggested changes the law does not authorize us to make under the
applicable statutory authority.
In response to our invitation in the notice of proposed priorities
13 parties submitted comments. We fully explain changes made as a
result of these comments in the Analysis of Comments and Changes
published as an appendix to this notice.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through
a notice in the Federal Register. A notice inviting applications for
FY 2003 awards is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register. When inviting applications we designate the priority as
absolute, competitive preference, or invitational. The effect of
each type of priority follows:
Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by either
(1) awarding additional points, depending on how well or the extent to
which the application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or
(2) selecting an application that meets the priority over an
application of comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are
particularly interested in applications that meet the invitational
priority. However, we do not give an application that meets the
priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications
(34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
Background
The Background statement for the following priorities was published
in the notice of proposed priorities on January 10, 2003 (67 FR 1446).
Priorities
NIDRR intends to fund up to nine new RERCs in FY 2003. Applicants
must select one of the following priority topic areas: (a) Hearing
enhancement; (b) prosthetics and orthotics; (c) communication
enhancement; (d) measurement and monitoring of functional performance;
(e) technology access for land mine survivors; (f) universal interface
and information technologies; (g) telerehabilitation; (h) accessible
public transportation; (i) wheeled mobility; (j) cognitive
technologies; and (k) technology transfer. Applicants are allowed to
submit more than one proposal as long as each proposal addresses only
one RERC topic area.
Letters of Intent
Due to the open nature of this competition, NIDRR is requiring all
potential applicants to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). Each LOI must
be limited to a maximum of four pages and must include the following
information:
(1) The title of the proposed RERC, the name of the host
institution, the name of the Principal Investigator (PI), and the names
of partner institutions and entities; (2) a brief statement of the
vision, goals, and objectives of the proposed RERC and a description of
its research and development activities at a sufficient level of detail
to allow potential peer reviewers to be selected; (3) a list of
proposed RERC staff including the center Director and key personnel;
and (4) a list of individuals whose selection as a peer reviewer might
constitute a conflict of interest due to involvement in proposal
development, selection as an advisory board member, co-PI
relationships, etc.
Submission of an LOI is a prerequisite for eligibility to submit an
application. The signed, original LOI, or with prior approval an e-mail
or facsimile copy, must be received by NIDRR no later than May 22,
2003. Applicants that submit e-mail or facsimile copies must follow up
by sending to NIDRR the signed original copy as soon as possible. All
communications pertaining to the LOI must be sent to: William Peterson,
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3425,
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645. For further information
regarding the LOI requirement, contact William Peterson at (202) 205-
9192 or by e-mail at: william.peterson@ed.gov.
Priorities
The Assistant Secretary intends to fund up to nine RERCs that will
focus on innovative technological solutions, new knowledge, and
concepts to promote the health, safety, independence, employment,
active engagement in daily activities, and quality of life of persons
with disabilities. Each RERC must:
(1) Contribute substantially to the technical and scientific
knowledge-base relevant to its respective subject area;
(2) Research, develop, and evaluate innovative technologies,
products, environments, performance guidelines, and monitoring and
assessment tools as applicable to its respective subject area;
(3) Identify, implement, and evaluate, in collaboration with the
relevant industry, professional associations, and institutions of
higher education, innovative approaches to expand research capacity in
its respective field of study;
(4) Monitor trends and evolving product concepts that represent and
signify future directions for technologies in its respective area of
research; and
(5) Provide technical assistance to public and private
organizations responsible for developing policies, guidelines, and
standards that affect its respective area of research.
(6) Each RERC must focus on one of the following priority topic
areas:
(a) Hearing Enhancement: This center must research and develop
methods, systems, and technologies that will assist hearing
professionals with the process of matching hearing technology to
individuals with hearing loss and associated conditions such as
tinnitus. This includes improving the compatibility of hearing
enhancement
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technologies with various environments such as school, work,
recreation, and social settings;
(b) Prosthetics and Orthotics: This center must increase
understanding of the scientific and engineering principles pertaining
to human locomotion, reaching, grasping, and manipulation, and
incorporate those principles into the design and fitting of prosthetic
and orthotic devices;
(c) Communication Enhancement: This center must research and
develop augmentative and alternative communication technologies and
strategies that will enhance the communicative capacity of individuals
of all ages with significant communication disorders across
environments (i.e., education, employment, recreation, social);
(d) Measurement and Monitoring of Functional Performance: This
center must research and develop technologies and methods that
effectively assess the outcomes of rehabilitation therapies by
combining measurements of physiological performance with measures of
functional performance;
(e) Technology Access for Land Mine Survivors: This center must
address the unique rehabilitation needs of land mine survivors of all
ages and develop low-cost replacement limbs, orthotics, and assistive
technologies using indigenous materials and expertise from respective
countries that will improve the quality of life for individuals who
have been severely injured due to land mine explosions;
(f) Universal Interface and Information Technologies: This center
must research and develop innovative technological solutions for, and
promote universal access to, current and emerging information
technologies and technology interfaces that promote a seamless
integration of the multiple technologies used by individuals with
disabilities in the home, the community, and the workplace. This center
must work collaboratively with the RERC on Telecommunication Access,
the RERC on Mobile Wireless Technologies, and the NIDRR-funded
Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center;
(g) Telerehabilitation: This center must research and develop
methods, systems, and technologies that support remote delivery of
rehabilitation and home health care services for individuals who have
limited local access to comprehensive medical and rehabilitation
outpatient services;
(h) Accessible Public Transportation: This center must research and
develop methods, systems, and devices that will promote and enhance the
ability of people with disabilities to safely, comfortably, and
efficiently identify destination information, embark/disembark, and use
restroom facilities on various types of public transportation systems
such as passenger trains and airplanes;
(i) Wheeled Mobility: This center must research and develop
innovative technologies and strategies that will improve the current
state of the science, design guidelines and performance standards, and
usability of wheeled mobility devices and wheelchair seating systems;
(j) Cognitive Technologies: This center must research, develop, and
evaluate innovative technologies and approaches that will have a
positive impact on the way in which individuals with significant
cognitive disabilities function independently within their communities
and workplace; and
(k) Technology Transfer: This center must research and develop
innovative ways to facilitate and improve the process of moving new,
useful, and more effective assistive technology inventions and
applications from the prototype phase to the marketplace. This center
will be expected to provide technical assistance to all RERCs on issues
pertaining to technology transfer, including the development of long-
range technology transfer plans.
Executive Order 12866
This notice of final priorities has been reviewed in accordance
with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order, we have
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action.
The potential costs associated with the notice of final priorities
are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have
determined as necessary for administering this program effectively and
efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative
and qualitative--of this notice of final priorities, we have determined
that the benefits of the priorities justify the costs.
Summary of potential costs and benefits: The potential cost
associated with these proposed priorities is minimal while the benefits
are significant. Grantees may anticipate costs associated with
completing the application process in terms of staff time, copying, and
mailing or delivery. The use of e-Application technology reduces
mailing and copying costs significantly.
The benefits of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
program have been well established over the years in that similar
projects have been completed. These priorities will generate new
knowledge through a research, dissemination, utilization, and technical
assistance projects.
The benefit of these priorities and application and project
requirements will be the establishment of new health and function
centers that support the President's NFI.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is published in the
Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of
the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is
available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html
.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133E,
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3).
Dated: April 16, 2003.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix
Analysis of Comments and Changes
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
Comment: One commenter suggested that the Wheeled Mobility topic
area would be strengthened if the phrase ``design standards'' were
changed to ``design guidelines and performance standards.''
Discussion: NIDRR agrees with the commenter that the Wheeled
Mobility topic area would be strengthened by replacing the phrase
``design standards'' with ``design guidelines and performance
standards.''
Changes: The phrase ``design standards'' has been replaced with
``design guidelines and performance standards.''
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Measurement
and Monitoring of Functional Performance be required to incorporate
issues that relate functional performance measurements to specific
work tasks associated with the job or jobs a person performs or will
be performing.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities that relate
functional performance measurements to specific work tasks
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associated with the job or jobs a person performs or will be
performing. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants
to propose these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Technology
Transfer be required to provide technical and financial resources to
assist persons with disabilities who have developed assistive
technology devices with bringing them to market.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities to assist
persons with disabilities who have developed assistive technology
devices with bringing the devices to market. The peer review process
will evaluate the merits of the proposal. However, NIDRR has no
basis for requiring all applicants to propose these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Technology
Transfer be required to encourage large companies to incorporate the
concept of universal design within their products, both current and
future, so that persons with disabilities could use them.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities to encourage
large companies to incorporate the concept of universal design
within their products. The peer review process will evaluate the
merits of the proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring
all applicants to propose these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Technology
Transfer be required to develop partnerships with venture
capitalists to generate resources that could be used to assist small
businesses in marketing their products.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities to develop
partnerships with venture capitalists to generate resources that
could be used to assist small businesses in marketing their
products. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants
to propose these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Technology
Transfer be required to support other RERCs by providing small
product development grants for products developed within the RERC
family.
Discussion: There is no authority under the Rehabilitation Act
for RERCs to provide subgrants. Therefore the activity suggested by
the commenter is not an allowable activity.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Technology
Transfer be required to involve underrepresented, minority high
school, and undergraduate engineering and business students in the
product evaluation process.
Discussion: NIDRR requires all RERCs funded under this priority
to develop a plan that describes how the center will include, as
appropriate, individuals with disabilities or their representatives
in all phases of center activities including research, development,
training, dissemination, and evaluation. An applicant could propose
activities that go beyond these requirements to include minority
high school students and undergraduate engineering and business
students. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants
to propose these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: Two commenters suggested that the Cognitive
Technologies topic area be expanded to include research and
development activities pertinent to cognitive disabilities across
the lifespan.
Discussion: An applicant could propose research and development
activities pertinent to cognitive disabilities across the lifespan.
The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the proposal.
However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: Two commenters suggested that the RERC on Cognitive
Technologies be required to seek additional financial support from
outside foundations, such as the Coleman Colorado Foundation, that
specifically focus on funding technology research pertinent to
cognitive disability.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities to seek
additional financial support from outside foundations. The peer
review process will evaluate the merits of the proposal. However,
NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants to propose these
activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Cognitive
Technologies be required to include a research and development
activity to develop ``smart'' residential living environments
designed to augment the effectiveness of developmental disabilities
direct support/personal assistance services.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities to develop
``smart'' residential living environments designed to augment the
effectiveness of developmental disabilities direct support/personal
assistance services. The peer review process will evaluate the
merits of the proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring
all applicants to propose these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the RERC on Accessible
Public Transportation be required to include activities that focus
on technology to improve accessibility to bus and other public and
private ground transportation systems, and integrating those
technologies with residential and community living environments for
people with cognitive disabilities.
Discussion: An applicant could propose research and development
activities to improve accessibility to bus and other public and
private ground transportation systems, and integrating those
technologies with residential and community living environments for
people with cognitive disabilities. The peer review process will
evaluate the merits of the proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for
requiring all applicants to include these activities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the very nature of the
RERC on Telerehabilitation requires it to focus on care providers
and their patients rather than a more general consumer base.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees that care providers and their patients
play an important role for this RERC. Others, including family
members, allied health professionals, and points of service (e.g.,
hospitals, clinics, one's home, etc.) also play integral roles with
respect to this topic area. This RERC will also need to stay in
contact with representatives from the telecommunications industry,
healthcare insurers, and healthcare policy makers.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the Technology Access for
Land Mine Survivors topic area and the Prosthetics and Orthotics
topic area be combined so that the additional resources could be
used for other topic areas not included in this priority.
Discussion: NIDRR believes the mission and intended target
populations of these two topic areas are distinctly different even
though both of them include the need to research and develop
prosthetics and orthotics (P&O). One is expected to focus on
improving the state of the science in the field of P&O while the
other is expected to work within developing countries to improve the
lives of land mine survivors using indigenous materials and
expertise from respective countries. If the two were combined the
RERC would be spread too thin thereby negatively affecting the
center's ability to conduct quality research and development
activities. If funded, the two centers will be expected to
coordinate on research projects of mutual interest.
Changes: None.
[FR Doc. 03-9939 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P