[Federal Register: January 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 1)]
[Notices]
[Page 341-345]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ja99-124]
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Part VIII
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice of
Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for Certain
Centers and Projects; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research;
Funding Priorities
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-
2000 for Certain Centers and Projects.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes funding priorities for two
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) and two Disability
and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) under the National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) for fiscal
years 1999-2000. The Secretary takes this action to focus research
attention on areas of national need. These priorities are intended to
improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with
disabilities.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 3, 1999.
ADDRESSES: All comments concerning these proposed priorities should be
addressed to Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Maryland
Avenue, S.W., room 3418, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2645.
Comments may also be sent through the Internet: comments@ed.gov
You must include the term ``Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers'' in the subject line of your electronic message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 205-
5880. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-2742. Internet:
Donna__Nangle@ed.gov
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains proposed priorities
under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers
Program for two RRTCs related to: measuring rehabilitation outcomes;
and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities from minority
backgrounds. The notice also contains proposed priorities for two DRRPs
related to: dissemination of disability and rehabilitation research;
and the international exchange of information and experts. There are
references in the proposed priorities to NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (LRP).
The LRP can be accessed on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ed.gov/
legislation/FedRegister/announcements/1998-4/102698a.html. These
proposed priorities support the National Education Goal that calls for
every adult American to possess the skills necessary to compete in a
global economy.
The authority for the Secretary to establish research priorities by
reserving funds to support particular research activities is contained
in sections 202(g) and 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended (29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764).
The Secretary will announce the final priorities in a notice in the
Federal Register. The final priorities will be determined by responses
to this notice, available funds, and other considerations of the
Department. Funding of a particular project depends on the final
priority, the availability of funds, and the quality of the
applications received. The publication of these proposed priorities
does not preclude the Secretary from proposing additional priorities,
nor does it limit the Secretary to funding only these priorities,
subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.
Note: This notice of proposed priorities does not solicit
applications. A notice inviting applications under this competition
will be published in the Federal Register concurrent with or
following the publication of the notice of final priorities.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
Authority for the RRTC program of NIDRR is contained in section
204(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C.
764(b)(2)). Under this program the Secretary makes awards to public and
private organizations, including institutions of higher education and
Indian tribes or tribal organizations for coordinated research and
training activities. These entities must be of sufficient size, scope,
and quality to effectively carry out the activities of the Center in an
efficient manner consistent with appropriate State and Federal laws.
They must demonstrate the ability to carry out the training activities
either directly or through another entity that can provide that
training.
The Secretary may make awards for up to 60 months through grants or
cooperative agreements. The purpose of the awards is for planning and
conducting research, training, demonstrations, and related activities
leading to the development of methods, procedures, and devices that
will benefit individuals with disabilities, especially those with the
most severe disabilities.
Description of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs are operated in collaboration with institutions of higher
education or providers of rehabilitation services or other appropriate
services. RRTCs serve as centers of national excellence and national or
regional resources for providers and individuals with disabilities and
the parents, family members, guardians, advocates or authorized
representatives of the individuals.
RRTCs conduct coordinated, integrated, and advanced programs of
research in rehabilitation targeted toward the production of new
knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery
systems, to alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, and to promote
maximum social and economic independence of individuals with
disabilities.
RRTCs provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to assist individuals to more effectively provide
rehabilitation services. They also provide training including graduate,
pre-service, and in-service training, for rehabilitation research
personnel and other rehabilitation personnel.
RRTCs serve as informational and technical assistance resources to
providers, individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family
members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of these
individuals through conferences, workshops, public education programs,
in-service training programs and similar activities.
RRTCs disseminate materials in alternate formats to ensure that
they are accessible to individuals with a range of disabling
conditions.
NIDRR encourages all Centers to involve individuals with
disabilities and individuals from minority backgrounds as recipients of
research training, as well as clinical training.
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. Not later than three years
after the establishment of any RRTC, NIDRR will conduct one or more
reviews of the activities and achievements of the Center. In accordance
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment.
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Proposed General Requirements
The Secretary proposes that the following requirements apply to
these RRTCs pursuant to these absolute priorities unless noted
otherwise. An applicant's proposal to fulfill these proposed
requirements will be assessed using applicable selection criteria in
the peer review process. The Secretary is interested in receiving
comments on these proposed requirements:
Each RRTC must provide: (1) training on research methodology and
applied research experience; and (2) training on knowledge gained from
the Center's research activities to persons with disabilities and their
families, service providers, and other appropriate parties.
Each RRTC must develop and disseminate informational materials
based on knowledge gained from the Center's research activities, and
disseminate the materials to persons with disabilities, their
representatives, service providers, and other interested parties.
Each RRTC must involve individuals with disabilities and, if
appropriate, their representatives, in planning and implementing its
research, training, and dissemination activities, and in evaluating the
Center.
The RRTC must conduct a state-of-the-science conference and publish
a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference. The
report must be published in the fourth year of the grant.
The RRTC must coordinate with other entities carrying out related
research or training activities.
Priorities
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), the Secretary proposes to give an
absolute preference to applications that meet the following priorities.
The Secretary proposes to fund under this competition only applications
that meet one of these absolute priorities.
Proposed Priority 1: Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes
Introduction
Chapter Four of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57204) discusses issues
in medical rehabilitation, including research on rehabilitation
outcomes. There is a need to develop more effective outcomes
measurement tools to determine the effectiveness, including the cost-
effectiveness, of medical rehabilitation interventions and products.
Chapter Seven of the Proposed LRP (63 FR 57211) reviews the importance
of documenting outcomes across service settings and programs. The
proposed LRP identifies long-term outcomes, such as employment,
community integration, and quality of life, as an important component
of the new paradigm of disability that expands the focus of research
from the individual to society and the environment. NIDRR expects this
RRTC to integrate the new paradigm of disability in its research
activities. The new paradigm maintains that disability is a product of
an interaction between characteristics of the individual and
characteristics of the natural, man-made, cultural, social
environments.
Medical rehabilitation outcomes research has focused on function.
NIDRR supported the development and application of the Functional
Independence Measure (FIM), a criterion-referenced scale that has been
widely accepted in inpatient rehabilitation settings. NIDRR also
supported the development of the Craig Handicap Assessment and
Reporting Technique that contains scales for assessing the World Health
Organization dimensions of ``handicap'' (i.e., participation) and is
currently being refined to measure cognitive components of disability.
While researchers have been able to demonstrate gain in function,
as measured by instruments like the FIM, there is no conclusive
evidence regarding the specific impact of therapeutic intervention on
functional gain (Heinemann, A. et al., ``Relation of Rehabilitation
Intervention to Functional Outcome,'' Final Technical Report, Center
for Functional Assessment Research, University of Buffalo, pg. 11,
1998). In addition, medical rehabilitation providers are being asked to
demonstrate the relationship between short-term functional gain and
long-term outcomes for persons with disabilities (Wilkerson, D. and
Johnston, M., ``Clinical Program Monitoring Systems,'' in Assessing
Medical Rehabilitation Practices--The Promise of Outcomes Research,
pgs. 275-305, 1997).
In addition to the widespread use of the FIM as a measure of
function, there are other commonly used measures. Also, there are
multiple measures related to other types of outcomes, including quality
of life, community integration, and consumer satisfaction. Providers,
consumers, and other stakeholders have difficulty comparing outcomes
because use of outcome measures across settings is not standardized
(Wilkerson, D. and Johnston, M., ibid.).
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish an RRTC for the purpose of
developing improved methods that assess the effectiveness of medical
rehabilitation services. The RRTC must:
(1) Develop and test a theoretical model or models assessing long-
term outcomes as part of a system of evaluating medical rehabilitation
effectiveness;
(2) Investigate the extent to which the effectiveness of medical
rehabilitation services can be determined by applying functional
outcomes measures to specific rehabilitation interventions;
(3) Identify gaps in existing measures of medical rehabilitation
effectiveness, assessing not only the FIM's, but also other
instruments' utility as a measure of the impact of therapeutic
interventions on function across rehabilitation settings;
(4) Revise or develop and test measures of medical rehabilitation
effectiveness to address gaps identified by (3) above; and
(5) Evaluate and describe the uses of medical rehabilitation
outcome data by payers, providers, and consumers.
In carrying out these purposes, the RRTC must coordinate with the
RRTC on Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities--Issues in
Managed Health Care, the National Center on Medical Rehabilitation
Research, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Health Care
Financing Administration.
Proposed Priority 2: Rehabilitation of Persons With Disabilities From
Minority Backgrounds
Introduction
Chapter Two of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57194) discusses and
highlights methodological problems in the categorization and definition
of disability, including identifying and measuring consequences of
disability in minority populations. Disabilities in minority
populations may be associated with factors such as health, poverty,
family structure, environment, aging, substance abuse, chronic disease,
and violence-related trauma in ways that are substantially different
from non-minority populations. Chapter 3 of the proposed LRP identifies
the need for minority populations research that provides information
about employment factors, including identifying rehabilitation
strategies that are based on knowledge about the characteristics of
racial and ethnic minorities.
For the purpose of this proposed priority, persons for minority
backgrounds include one or more of the following minorities: Asian-
Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, Black or African-Americans, and Native
Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders. American
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Indians and Alaskan Natives are not included as a target population for
this RRTC because other NIDRR grants address their needs directly.
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish an RRTC on rehabilitation of
persons with disabilities from minority backgrounds for the purpose of
evaluating their rehabilitation needs and improving their
rehabilitation outcomes. The RRTC must:
(1) Identify methodological problems in determining the
rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities from minority
backgrounds, including subpopulations within these groups, and propose
strategies to address these methodological problems;
(2) Based on paragraph (1), identify implications for
rehabilitation research, training, policy development, and services;
(3) Assess the outcomes of rehabilitation for persons with
disabilities from minority backgrounds, as measured by two or more
variables (e.g., functional abilities, health and wellness, employment,
and psychosocial status), and analyze the effects of minority status on
rehabilitation outcomes; and
(4) Identify, develop, and evaluate rehabilitation methodologies,
models and interventions for specific minorities in selected areas
drawn from the NIDRR Research Agenda in Section Two of the proposed
LRP.
In carrying out the purpose of the priority, the RRTC must:
Include concepts of health self-assessment and consumer
decision-making related to participation in the labor force; and
Coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's Center on Minority Health.
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
Authority for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
(DRRPs) is contained in section 204(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 764(a)). DRRPs carry out one or more of the
following types of activities, as specified in 34 CFR 350.13--350.19:
research, development, demonstration, training, dissemination,
utilization, and technical assistance. Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Projects develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation
technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into
society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic
and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities,
especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. In addition,
DRRPs improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Proposed Priority 3: Dissemination of Disability and Rehabilitation
Research
Introduction
Chapter Eight of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57213) describes the
importance of effective knowledge dissemination and utilization (D&U).
NIDRR proposes to establish a center that will serve as the cornerstone
of NIDRR's D&U efforts by carrying out research on effective
dissemination methodologies and providing technical assistance to all
of NIDRR's grantees as well as to the wide array of consumers of
disability research findings.
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish a DRRP for the purpose of
increasing the usefulness of NIDRR-funded research findings. The
National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research must:
(1) Identify and evaluate effective methodologies for disseminating
disability research to persons with disabilities and their families,
service providers, policymakers, and other researchers;
(2) Provide technical assistance on D&U methodologies to all NIDRR
grantees including, but not limited to, addressing cultural relevance,
ensuring physical accessibility of information, and developing
effective dissemination plans.
(3) Develop, implement, and evaluate a plan for collaboration among
NIDRR projects that primarily disseminate information in order to
enhance dissemination and avoid duplication of activities; and
(4) Develop, implement, and evaluate methods that diverse public
audiences can use to access NIDRR-funded research findings.
Proposed Priority 4: International Exchange of Information and Experts
Introduction
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides NIDRR with the
authority to exchange experts and technical assistance in field of
rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities as well as conduct a
program for international research and demonstration (Section 204
(b)(6)). Cooperative international research activities can offer new
perspectives on solving rehabilitation problems, provide data for the
evaluation of domestic programs, and assist U.S. rehabilitation
practitioners to improve the effectiveness of the services they
provide, especially for minority and immigrant populations.
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish a DRRP for the purpose of
improving rehabilitation services by obtaining and disseminating
information on international rehabilitation research and practices. The
project must:
(1) Develop and maintain a database of international rehabilitation
research and make this database available to grantees supported by
NIDRR, the Office of Special Education Programs, and the Rehabilitation
Services Administration;
(2) Conduct rehabilitation research conferences involving
participants from the U.S. and other countries;
(3) Conduct an international exchange of research and technical
assistance experts between other countries and the United States; and
(4) Disseminate information on cultural perspectives on
rehabilitation to entities that provide rehabilitation or conduct
rehabilitation research and training activities involving persons from
foreign backgrounds.
Electronic Access to This Document
Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the
following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html
To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with
Search, which is available free at either of the preceding sites. If
you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government
Printing Office at (202) 512-1530 or, toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511
or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option
G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register.
Invitation to Comment: Interested persons are invited to submit
comments and recommendations regarding these proposed priorities. All
comments submitted in response to this notice will be available for
public inspection,
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during and after the comment period, in Room 3424, Switzer Building,
330 C Street S.W., Washington, D.C., between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR Parts 350.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133A, Disability
and Rehabilitation Research Projects, and 84.133B, Rehabilitation
Research and Training Centers)
Dated: December 28, 1998.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 98-34750 Filed 12-31-98; 8:45 am]
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