FR Doc 03-11627
[Federal Register: May 9, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 90)]
[Notices]
[Page 25014-25017]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09my03-76]
Download: 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820 ZA17
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of proposed priorities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services proposes priorities for one or more research
projects under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
(DRRP) Program under the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The Assistant Secretary may use these
[[Page 25015]]
priorities for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2003 and later years.
We take this action to focus research attention on identified national
needs. We intend these priorities to improve rehabilitation services
and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before June 9, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments about these proposed priorities to
Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 3412, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645. If you prefer
to send your comments through the Internet, use the following address:
donna.nangle@ed.gov.
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:
Invitation To Comment
We invite you to submit comments regarding these proposed
priorities.
We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific
requirements of Executive Order 12866 and its overall requirement of
reducing regulatory burden that might result from these proposed
priorities. Please let us know of any further opportunities we should
take to reduce potential costs or increase potential benefits while
preserving the effective and efficient administration of the program.
During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public
comments about these priorities in Room 3412, Switzer Building, 330 C
Street, SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
eastern time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal
holidays.
Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Rulemaking
Record
On request, we will supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or
print magnifier, to an individual with a disability who needs
assistance to review the comments or other documents in the public
rulemaking record for these proposed priorities. If you want to
schedule an appointment for this type of aid, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
We will announce the final priorities in a notice in the Federal
Register. We will determine the final priorities after considering
responses to this notice and other information available to the
Department. This notice does not preclude us from proposing or funding
additional priorities, subject to meeting applicable rulemaking
requirements.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use these proposed priorities, we invite
applications through a notice published in the Federal Register.
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 competitive priority over
an application of comparable merit that does not meet the competitive
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)).
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 proposed 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 proposed 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.
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 are found in 34 CFR 350.40(b).
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.
[[Page 25016]]
Priorities
Research Projects for Stabilizing and Improving Lives of Persons with
Disabilities
Background
On May 17, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 35417-
35419) a notice inviting written comments suggesting priorities for
research centers and projects administered by NIDRR under title II of
the Act. Individuals were encouraged to suggest research priorities
consistent with the Plan and that support the NFI.
We received many suggestions. The purpose of this notice of
proposed priorities is to present multiple research topics from public
suggestions as well as related topics from staff analysis of emerging
disability needs. All topics are for research activities under the DRRP
program.
We propose priorities for applied research that will alleviate
problems and challenges faced by people with disabilities as they seek
improved life outcomes. These priorities share the goal of developing
new knowledge to improve the inclusion and participation of individuals
with disabilities in their families, school, or work. Although we are
proposing multiple priorities, we may not issue final priorities or
make awards in all areas.
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 DRRP, 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 DRRP 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 DRRP 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 a LOI is a prerequisite for eligibility to submit an
application. The signed, original LOI, or with prior approval an email
or facsimile copy, must be received by NIDRR no later than June 9,
2003. Applicants that submit email or facsimile copies must follow up
by sending to NIDRR the signed original copy no later than one week
after the date the email or facsimile copy was sent. All communications
pertaining to the LOI must be sent to: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building,
Washington, DC 20202-2645. For further information regarding the LOI
requirement, contact Donna Nangle at (202) 205-5880 or by email
at: Donna.Nangle@ed.gov.
Priorities
The Assistant Secretary proposes to fund one or more DRRPs that
will focus on stabilizing and improving lives of persons with
disabilities. In carrying out the purposes of these priorities,
projects awarded under each of the 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 design of clinical services and dissemination activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate how the research project can transfer research
findings to practical applications in planning, policymaking, 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: This 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: This
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: This 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: This 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
[[Page 25017]]
Trauma Rehabilitation; Research on Aging.
(e) Issues in Asset Accumulation and Tax Policy for People with
Disabilities: This 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: This 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 3, Employment Outcomes:
Economic Policy and Labor Market Trends.
Executive Order 12866
This notice of proposed 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 proposed
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 proposed priorities, we have
determined that the benefits of the proposed 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 DRRP Program have been well established over
the years that similar projects have been completed. These proposed
priorities will generate new knowledge through research to focus on
stabilizing and improving lives of persons with disabilities.
The benefit of these proposed priorities and proposed applications
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: May 6, 2003.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 03-11627 Filed 5-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P