FR Doc 03-19015
[Federal Register: July 25, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 143)]
[Notices]
[Page 44055-44059]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25jy03-45]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820 ZA17
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR)
AGENCY: 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 (OSERS) announces final priorities for Research
Projects, a Research Infrastructure Capacity Building Project, a
Technical Assistance Resource Center on Parenting with a Disability
Project, and Development Projects under the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program of NIDRR for fiscal
year (FY) 2003 and later years. We take these actions 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: This priority is effective August 25, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building,
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880 or via the
Internet: donna.nangle@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.
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:
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program
The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research,
demonstration projects, training, and related activities that help to
maximize the full inclusion and integration of individuals with
disabilities into society and to improve the effectiveness of services
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act).
An applicant for assistance under this program must demonstrate in
its application how it will address, in whole or in part, the needs of
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds (34 CFR
350.40(a)).
The approaches an applicant may take to meet this requirement may
include one or more of the following (34 CFR 350.40(b)):
(1) Proposing project objectives addressing the needs of
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds.
(2) Demonstrating that the project will address a problem that is
of particular significance to individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds.
(3) Demonstrating that individuals from minority backgrounds will
be included in study samples in sufficient numbers to generate
information pertinent to individuals with disabilities from minority
backgrounds.
(4) Drawing study samples and program participant rosters from
populations or areas that include individuals from minority
backgrounds.
(5) Providing outreach to individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds to ensure that they are aware of rehabilitation
services, clinical care, or training offered by the project.
(6) Disseminating materials to or otherwise increasing the access
to disability information among minority populations.
Under the DRRP program, we define a research project as basic or
applied (34 CFR 350.5). Research is classified on a continuum from
basic to applied:
(1) Basic research is research in which the investigator is
concerned primarily with gaining new knowledge or understanding of a
subject without reference to any immediate application or utility.
(2) Applied research is research in which the investigator is
primarily interested in developing new knowledge, information, or
understanding which can be applied to a predetermined rehabilitation
problem or need. Applied research builds on selected findings from
basic research.
In carrying out a research activity under this program (34 CFR
350.13), a grantee must:
(a) Identify one or more hypotheses; and
(b) Based on the hypotheses identified, perform an intensive
systematic study directed toward--
(1) New or full scientific knowledge; or
(2) Understanding of the subject or problem studied.
Under the DRRP program, we define a development activity as the use
of knowledge and understanding gained from research to create
materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target
population, including design and development of prototypes and
processes.
Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom
Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the
following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html.
The final priorities are in concert with NIDRR's Long-Range Plan
(the Plan). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many issues
relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. While
applicants will find many sections throughout the Plan that support
potential research to be conducted under these final priorities, a
specific reference is included for each topic presented in this notice.
The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR/Products.
Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: (1) Improve
the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2)
foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique
needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) determine best
strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify
mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate
findings.
We published a separate notice of each proposed priority (NPP) in
the Federal Register on May 9, 2003.
Priority 1--Research Projects (84.133A-1) (68 FR 25014).
Priority 2--Research Infrastructure Capacity Building (84.133A-4) (68
FR 25009).
Priority 3--Technical Assistance Resource Center on Parenting with a
Disability (84.133A-5) (68 FR 25017).
Priority 4--Development Projects (84.133A-7) (68 FR 25006).
We have combined these four priorities in this notice of final
priorities (NFP).
There are no significant differences between the NPPs and this NFP.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
In response to our invitation in the NPPs, several parties
submitted comments.
We discuss these comments and changes in the Analysis of Comments
and Changes section published as an appendix to this notice.
Note: This NFP does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use one or more of these priorities, we invite
applications through a notice in the Federal Register. A notice
inviting applications for FY 2003 awards was published in the
Federal Register on May 29, 2003 (68 FR 32026). When inviting applications we designate each
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 statements for the following priorities were
published in the NPPs on May 9, 2003.
Priorities
Priority 1--Research Projects
The Assistant Secretary will fund one or more DRRPs that will focus
on stabilizing and improving lives of persons with disabilities. In
carrying out the purposes of this priority, projects awarded under each
of the following topics must, in consultation with the NIDRR project
officer:
[sbull] Coordinate and establish partnerships, as appropriate, with
other academic institutions and organizations that are relevant to the
project's proposed activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate use of culturally appropriate data collection,
evaluation, dissemination, training and research methodologies, and
significant knowledge of the needs of individuals with disabilities
from traditionally underserved populations;
[sbull] Involve, as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or
their family members, or both, in all aspects of the research as well
as in the design of clinical services and dissemination activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate how the research project can transfer research
findings to practical applications in planning, policy-making, program
administration, and delivery of services to individuals with
disabilities; and
[sbull] Disseminate findings to appropriate audiences, including
information on best practices, where applicable.
An applicant must propose research activities and dissemination of
findings under one of the following topics:
(a) Self-Determination in Transition to Adulthood for Youth with
Disabilities: Under this topic, a project must conduct research and
disseminate information about factors that enhance and promote self-
determination for youth with disabilities who are transitioning into
adulthood. The project may include research on interventions that (1)
enable successful transition to life activities such as independent
living, higher education, and employment; and (2) improve functional
outcomes such as enhanced memory, learning, visual perception, auditory
reception, literacy, and self-advocacy. The reference for this topic
can be found in the Plan, chapter 3, Employment Outcomes: Transition
from School to Work.
(b) Examining Violence Against People With Disabilities: Under this
topic, a project must conduct research and disseminate information on
violence against persons with disabilities. Activities may include
research on statistics related to criminal victimization of people with
disabilities compiled under the 1998 Crime Victims with Disabilities
Awareness Act (Pub. L. 301-105); study of data from enhanced crime
incident reports; and analysis of data and research findings on the
impact of violence on specific populations such as, but not limited to,
individuals with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, women with
disabilities, individuals with sensory disabilities, and individuals
with mobility disabilities. The reference for this topic can be found
in the Plan, chapter 2, Dimensions of Disability: Emerging Universe of
Disability.
(c) Family and Cultural Aspects of Independent Living: Under this
topic, a project must conduct research and disseminate information on
how individuals with disabilities draw upon their families (or those
with whom they share living arrangements) to obtain necessary supports
such as economic assistance, informal and formal care giving, and
emotional nurturing. Activities may include: (1) Identifying factors
that help or hinder NFI goals regarding educational attainment, home
ownership, and full access in community life; (2) research on ways that
family and shared-community living arrangements may facilitate
independence and help implement the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C.
ruling; and (3) research on how family and shared-community living
arrangements may facilitate meeting the objectives for people with
disabilities in Healthy People 2010. The references for this topic can
be found in the Plan, chapter 2, Dimensions of Disability: Disability,
Employment, and Independent Living, and chapter 6, Research on Social
Roles.
(d) Older Women and Falls: Under this topic, a project must
identify and compare outcomes-oriented rehabilitation interventions for
older women to overcome the disabilities and secondary conditions
associated with falls and to prevent secondary falls and other
complications. The project must examine risk factors for falls (e.g.,
age, disability, medications use, health, functional ability,
environmental hazards). The references for this topic can be found in
the Plan, chapter 2, Dimensions of Disability: Emerging Universe of
Disability, and chapter 4, Health and Function: Research on Trauma
Rehabilitation; Research on Aging.
(e) Issues in Asset Accumulation and Tax Policy for People with
Disabilities: Under this topic, a project must conduct research on
fiscal and social environmental barriers to economic empowerment and
self-sufficiency for people with disabilities and the impact of
legislation designed to promote economic self-sufficiency and
facilitate community integration. The project must conduct systematic
analysis of the relationship between tax policy and asset accumulation
for individuals with disabilities and improved economic and community
integration outcomes. This includes testing the impact of asset
accumulation on economic improvements and community integration for
individuals with disabilities. The reference for this topic can be
found in the Plan, chapter 3, Employment Outcomes: Economic Policy and
Labor Market Trends.
(f) Identifying Opportunities and Barriers to Entrepreneurship for
People with Disabilities: Under this topic, a project must conduct
research on ways to improve employment outcomes of individuals with
disabilities through self-employment and entrepreneurial strategies and
how to train both people with disabilities and counselors in successful
use of these strategies. The research must include analysis of the
effects of policies and practices of the vocational rehabilitation
system; related programs such as those of the Small Business
Administration; and other public, private, or nonprofit employment
organizations on self-employment options for individuals with
disabilities. The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan,
chapter
[[Page 44057]]
3, Employment Outcomes: Economic Policy and Labor Market Trends.
Priority 2--Research Infrastructure Capacity Building
The Assistant Secretary will fund one DRRP that will focus on a
research, development, and dissemination project on Research
Infrastructure Capacity Building. The reference for this topic can be
found in the Plan, chapter 9, Capacity Building: Priorities in Capacity
Building. In carrying out this priority the DRRP must:
(1) Develop and evaluate an innovative method(s) for establishing
long-term collaborative research partnerships, with an emphasis on
relationships among minority entities, Indian tribes, and nonminority
entities;
(2) Research, develop, and evaluate strategies to assess the
efficacy of existing research theories, methodologies, and measures for
studying and describing underrepresented individuals with disabilities
from minority racial and ethnic populations and their needs;
(3) Research, identify and modify or develop, and evaluate
scientifically valid measurement strategies and methodologies for
research involving the study of underrepresented minority racial and
ethnic populations; determine their efficacy; and examine the
implications of introducing newly developed approaches designed
specifically for the study of this population;
(4) Develop and evaluate research principles or standards for
culturally appropriate and linguistically competent disability and
rehabilitation research, and disseminate guidelines; and
(5) Develop, implement, and evaluate approaches for disseminating
research findings, information about best practices for research
involving underrepresented minority racial and ethnic populations, and
information about research collaboration.
In carrying out the purposes of the priority, the DRRP must:
[sbull] In the first three months of the grant, develop and
implement a research partnership plan ensuring that all activities are
predominantly focused on research infrastructure capacity building and
provide for mutual benefit for each member of the partnership,
including persons with disabilities or their representatives;
[sbull] In the first year of the grant, implement a plan to
disseminate research results;
[sbull] In the third year of the grant, conduct a state-of-the-
science conference focused on the funded area of research and related
topics;
[sbull] In the fourth year of the grant, publish and disseminate a
comprehensive report on the outcomes and proceedings of the conference;
[sbull] Demonstrate how the research project can transfer research
findings to practical applications in planning, policy-making, program
administration, and delivery of services to individuals with
disabilities; and
[sbull] Conduct ongoing program evaluation and produce a closing
report describing research outcomes, as they relate to the research
goals and objectives, and future directions for research infrastructure
development and capacity building.
Priority 3--Resource and Technical Assistance Center on Parenting with
a Disability
The Assistant Secretary will fund one DRRP that will focus a
dissemination, utilization, training, and technical assistance project
to be a ``Resource and Technical Assistance Center on Parenting with a
Disability.'' The references for this topic can be found in the Plan,
chapter 2, Dimensions of Disability: Disability, Employment, and
Independent Living, and chapter 8, Knowledge Dissemination and
Utilization: Overview. The DRRP must:
(1) Develop quality standards to guide the identification of
information for dissemination;
(2) Provide information and technical assistance to people with
disabilities who are or wish to be parents. A variety of methods and
tools will be developed to provide information and technical
assistance. Tools might include such items as: catalogues and listings
of assistive technology, fact sheets, and articles for publication in
various media. Methods to reach interested parties might include:
interactive features of the Internet, wide area telephone service,
presentations at meetings or conferences and personal visits;
(3) Develop parent-to-parent support methods, including approaches
for sharing of information about ``best practices'' in parenting with a
disability;
(4) Train parents, potential parents, service providers, and others
on issues relating to parenting with a disability and the research,
information, and services available to them; and
(5) Evaluate project technical assistance and information
dissemination activities.
In carrying out the purposes of the priority, the DRRP must:
[sbull] Through consultation with the NIDRR project officer,
coordinate and establish partnerships, as appropriate, with other
projects sponsored by OSERS, academic institutions, and organizations
that are relevant to the project's proposed activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate how the project will yield measurable results
for people with disabilities;
[sbull] Identify specific performance targets and propose outcome
indicators, along with time lines to reach these targets; and
[sbull] Using information developed from the project's
dissemination, training, and technical assistance activities, with
emphasis on materials from NIDRR projects, provide materials,
consultation, technical assistance, and related capacity-building
activities to NIDRR grantees on how to assist parents with
disabilities.
Priority 4--Development Projects
The Assistant Secretary will fund one or more DRRPs that will focus
on stabilizing and improving lives of persons with disabilities. In
carrying out the purposes of the priority, projects awarded under each
of the following topics, in consultation with the NIDRR project
officer, must:
[sbull] Coordinate and establish partnerships, as appropriate, with
other academic institutions and organizations that are relevant to the
project's proposed activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate use of culturally appropriate data collection,
evaluation, dissemination, training, and development methodologies and
significant knowledge of the needs of individuals with disabilities
from traditionally underserved populations;
[sbull] Involve, as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or
their family members, or both, in all aspects of development as well as
in the design of clinical services and dissemination activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate how the project will yield measurable results
for people with disabilities;
[sbull] Identify specific performance targets and propose outcome
indicators, along with time lines to reach these targets; and
[sbull] Disseminate findings on products and technologies to
appropriate audiences, including information on best practices, where
applicable.
An applicant must propose development activities and dissemination
of findings under one of the following topics:
(a) Voting Access and Privacy. Under this topic, a project must
develop technologies, strategies, and approaches that can be used to
improve and expand access, including physical accessibility,
[[Page 44058]]
to voting accurately, independently, and privately for all citizens
with disabilities. Voting is a citizen's most basic right. Yet many
individuals with disabilities find it difficult, if not impossible, to
vote without a poll worker's or another individual's assistance.
Development products may address, but are not limited to, voting
apparatus, accommodations information, training materials (i.e., books,
guidelines, electronic materials) for public elections officials and
citizens, and cost analysis and evaluation of products and technologies
to enhance voting access for citizens with disabilities. The reference
for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 5, Technology for
Access and Function: Research to Improve Accessibility of
Telecommunications and Information Technology.
(b) Technologies for Families and Caregivers. Under this topic, a
project must develop technologies, strategies, and approaches that will
facilitate and improve the continuum of activities and reduce the
demands involved in care giving for individuals with disabilities. The
upsurge of programs such as ``Long-Term Care'' and ``Home-Health Care''
has stimulated the need for tools and strategies that enable
individuals with disabilities to live longer and more productively in
their communities. New and improved technologies for care giving will
help implement the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision.
Development products may address, but are not limited to, evaluation
and assessment of existing technology solutions, accommodations
information, training materials (i.e., books, guidelines, electronic
materials) for public officials and citizens, and cost analysis and
evaluation of products and technologies to enhance community
integration, personal assistance services, and independent living for
citizens with disabilities. The reference for this topic can be found
in the Plan, chapter 5, Technology for Access and Function: Assistive
Technology for Individuals.
Executive Order 12866
This NFP 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 NFP 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 NFP, we have determined that the benefits of
the priorities justify the costs.
Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits
The potential costs associated with these priorities are 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 DRRP Program have been well established over
the years in that similar projects have been successfully completed.
These final priorities will generate new knowledge through research to
focus on stabilizing and improving lives of persons with disabilities.
The benefit of these final priorities and project requirements will
be the establishment of new DRRP projects that generate, disseminate,
and promote the use of new information that will improve the options
for disabled individuals to perform regular activities in the
community.
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 84.133A, Disability
Rehabilitation Research Project)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
Dated: July 22, 2003.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix
Analysis of Comments and Changes
General
Comment: Several commenters raised concerns that NIDRR did not
publish a priority that specifically targeted Native Americans.
Discussion: The priority on Research Infrastructure Capacity
Building includes Native Americans as a proposed target group.
Nothing in the other published priorities precludes applicants from
proposing Native Americans as the target population for the proposed
research. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter expressed several concerns about
references to racial, ethnic, and linguistic minority populations in
the NIDRR priorities. These concerns included: (1) NIDRR's use of a
standard statement about inclusion of minorities in research
activities; (2) combining ethnic categories into one proposed
priority is inappropriate; (3) NIDRR does not ensure that applicants
demonstrate ``who, what, when, and where'' in addressing the needs
of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds; and (4)
the American Indian and Alaska Native populations are a culturally
and linguistically diverse population. Commenters also noted that
many caregivers do not speak, write, or read the English language,
and they questioned whether it was likely that potential grantees
would deal with caregivers who do not speak, write, or read the
English language or would address minority backgrounds including
American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities.
Discussion: (1) The standard statement that each NIDRR applicant
must demonstrate in its application how it will address, in whole or
in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority
backgrounds is required by 34 CFR 350.40(a), and as a result, cannot
be changed by this priority. (2) Nothing in these priorities
precludes an applicant from focusing on any racial, ethnic, or
minority population, including American Indians and Alaska Natives.
(3) In section 350.40(b), NIDRR lists some of the approaches
applicants may take to meet the requirement in Sec. 350.40(a),
including, for example, addressing a problem that is of particular
significance to individuals with disabilities from minority
backgrounds and generating information pertinent to individuals with
disabilities from minority backgrounds. (4) In the background
section to these priorities, language barriers and lack of
understanding about cultural values and beliefs are identified as
challenges to the effectiveness of rehabilitation services received
by individual with disabilities form minority backgrounds. An
applicant may choose to include linguistic or cultural issues in the
proposed research activities. However, NIDRR has no basis for
requiring that all applicants adopt the same approach or
[[Page 44059]]
address the same issue. The peer review process will evaluate the
merits of the proposal.
Changes: None.
Violence:
Comment: One commenter expressed an opinion that focusing on
analysis of ``extant data from crime reports'' might unnecessarily
limit the scope of research in the proposed DRRP priority on
violence.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees that it might be valuable to collect
new data to answer research questions in this area. Nothing in the
priority precludes an applicant from suggesting such an approach.
However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants to collect
new data. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal.
Changes: None.
Technical Assistance Resource Center
Comment: One commenter suggested that the Technical Assistance
Resource Center provide information on coordinated services for
parents who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees that this might be a useful service.
Nothing in the priority prohibits an applicant from suggesting this
approach. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all
applicants take this approach. The peer review process will evaluate
the merits of the proposal.
Changes: None.
Research Methods for Underserved Populations
Comment: One commenter expressed concern that Native Americans
and Alaska Natives are listed with other minority population
categories as a potential focus of this priority and recommended
that the priority should specify the target population so that
researchers studying different ethnic populations do not have to
compete against each other.
Discussion: NIDRR is committed to improving research methods for
studying all minority and ethnic populations. Nothing in the
priority precludes an applicant from targeting a specific
population. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal.
Changes: None.
[FR Doc. 03-19015 Filed 7-24-03; 8:45 am]
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