National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers, Notice of proposed priorities [OSERS]

FR Doc 04-26168
[Federal Register: November 26, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 227)]
[Notices]
[Page 68890-68893]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no04-63]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

RIN 1820 ZA40

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of proposed priorities.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services proposes three funding priorities for the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research's (NIDRR)
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program,
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program. Each of
these priorities may be used for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2005
and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on
areas of national need. We intend these priorities to improve
rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before December 27, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about these proposed priorities to
Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20204-2700. 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) 245-
7462.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday.
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. To

[[Page 68891]]

ensure that your comments have maximum effect in developing the notice
of final priorities, we urge you to identify clearly the specific
proposed priority that each comment addresses.
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 6030, 550 12th Street SW.,
Potomac Center Plaza, 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 one or more of 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/infocus/newfreedom/.

The proposed priorities are in concert with NIDRR's Long-Range Plan
(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 the proposed priorities, a specific reference is
included for each of the priorities presented in this notice. The Plan
can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html
.

Through the implementation of the NFI and 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.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program

We may make awards under this program 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. Each RERC must be operated by or in collaboration with an
institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization. Additional
information on the RERC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html
.

General Requirements of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

RERCs shall carry out research or demonstration activities in
support of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, by--
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
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
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.
The Department is particularly interested in ensuring that the
expenditure of public funds is justified by the execution of intended
activities and the advancement of knowledge and, thus, has built this
accountability into the selection criteria. During the funding cycle of
any RERC, NIDRR will conduct one or more reviews of the activities and
achievements of the RERC. In accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR
75.253(a), continued funding depends at all times on satisfactory
performance and accomplishment.

Priorities

Background

Technology plays a vital role in the lives of millions of disabled
and older Americans. Advances in assistive technology and adoption of
principles of universal design have significantly improved the quality
of life for these individuals. Individuals with significant
disabilities regularly use products developed as the result of
rehabilitation and biomedical research to achieve and

[[Page 68892]]

maintain maximum physical function, live independently, study and
learn, and attain gainful employment. The range of engineering research
has broadened to encompass not only assistive technology but also
technology at the systems level (i.e., the built environment,
information and communication technologies, transportation, etc.) and
technology that interfaces between the individual and systems
technology and is basic to community integration.
The NIDRR RERC program has been a major force in the development of
technology to enhance independent function for individuals with
disabilities. The RERCs are recognized as national centers of
excellence in their respective areas and collectively represent the
largest federally supported program responsible for advancing
rehabilitation engineering research. For example, the RERC program was
an early pioneer in the development of augmentative communication and
has been at the forefront of prosthetics and orthotics research for
both children and adults. RERCs have played a major role in the
development of voluntary standards that industry uses when developing
wheelchairs, wheelchair restraint systems, information technologies,
and the World Wide Web. The RERC on Low Vision and Blindness helped
develop talking sign technologies that are currently being used in
major cities in both the United States and Japan to help blind and
visually impaired individuals navigate city streets and subways. RERCs
have been a driving force in the development of universal design
principles that can be applied to the built environment, information
technology and telecommunications, transportation, and consumer
products. RERC research activities also contributed to the clinical use
of electromyography, gait analysis, and functional electrical
stimulation.
Advancements in basic biomedical science and technology have
resulted in new opportunities to enhance further the lives of people
with disabilities. Recent advances in biomaterials research, composite
technologies, information and telecommunication technologies,
nanotechnologies, micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), sensor
technologies, and the neurosciences provide a wealth of opportunities
for individuals with disabilities and should be incorporated into
research focused on disability and rehabilitation.

Proposed Priorities

The Assistant Secretary proposes to fund RERCs, each of which must
focus on one of the following priorities: (a) Technologies for Children
with Orthopedic Disabilities, (b) Low Vision and Blindness, or (c)
Universal Design and the Built Environment.
(a) Technologies for Children with Orthopedic Disabilities: This
RERC must research and develop technologies that will help children
with orthopedic disabilities overcome functional deficits and that will
support their ability to learn, play, and interact socially. The
reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 5,
Technology for Access and Function: Research to Enhance Mobility, and
Research to Improve Manipulation Ability.
(b) Low Vision and Blindness: This RERC must research and develop
technologies that will improve assessment of vision impairments and
promote independence for individuals with low vision and blindness,
including those who are deaf/blind. The reference for this topic can be
found in the Plan, chapter 5, Technology for Access and Function:
Research to Improve or Substitute for Sensory Functioning.
(c) Universal Design and the Built Environment: This RERC must
research, develop, and evaluate strategies and devices that will
advance the field of universal design and assist designers, builders,
and manufacturers with incorporating universal design in their products
and buildings. The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan,
chapter 5, Technology for Access and Function: Systems Technology:
Universal Design and Accessibility.
Under any one of these priorities, RERCs must focus on innovative
technological solutions, new knowledge, and concepts to promote the
health, safety, independence, active engagement in daily activities,
and quality of life of persons with disabilities. Accordingly, each
RERC must:
(1) Contribute substantially to the technical and scientific
knowledge-base relevant to the priority;
(2) Research, develop, and evaluate innovative technologies,
products, environments, performance guidelines, and monitoring and
assessment tools as applicable to the priority;
(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
the specific field of study;
(4) Monitor trends and evolving product concepts that represent and
signify future directions for technologies in the specific area of
research; and
(5) Provide technical assistance to public and private
organizations responsible for developing policies, guidelines, and
standards that affect the specific area of research.
In addition, the following requirements apply to each RERC
priority:
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 RERC will include,
as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or their representatives
in all phases of its activities including research, development,
training, dissemination, and evaluation;
Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first year of
the grant and 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 and in consultation with the NIDRR-funded RERC on Technology
Transfer, 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 must coordinate with research projects of mutual
interest with relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through
consultation with the NIDRR project officer.

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

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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 costs associated with these proposed 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 RERC Program have been well established over
the years in that similar projects have been completed successfully.
These proposed priorities will generate new knowledge and technologies
through research, development, dissemination, utilization, and
technical assistance projects.
The benefit of these priorities also will be the establishment of
new RERCs that support the President's NFI and will improve the lives
of persons with disabilities. The new RERCs will generate, disseminate,
and promote the use of new information that will improve the options
for individuals with disabilities to perform regular activities in the
community.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.

Electronic Access to This Document

You may review 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/news/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 the document
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.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133E,
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program)

Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3).

Dated: November 22, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 04-26168 Filed 11-24-04; 8:45 am]

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