FR Doc 04-2287
[Federal Register: February 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 23)]
[Notices]
[Page 5327-5330]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04fe04-58]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820 ZA26
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
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 priorities under the Rehabilitation
Research and Training Centers (RRTC) Program for the National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The Assistant
Secretary may use one or more of these priorities for competitions in
fiscal year (FY) 2004 and later years. We take this action to focus
research attention on areas of national need. We intend these
priorities to improve employment-related rehabilitation services and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before March 5, 2004.
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:
[[Page 5328]]
Invitation to Comment
We invite you to submit comments regarding these proposed
priorities. To 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 proposed 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
invitational 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://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html
.
These 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 these proposed priorities, a
specific reference is included for each priority presented in this
notice. The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=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 Research and Training Centers
RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of
research targeted toward the production of new knowledge to improve
rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or
stabilize disability conditions, or promote maximum social and economic
independence for persons with disabilities. Additional information on
the RRTC program can be found at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC
.
General Requirements of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs must:
Carry out coordinated advanced programs of
rehabilitation research;
Provide training, including graduate, pre-
service, and in-service training, to help rehabilitation personnel more
effectively provide rehabilitation services to individuals with
disabilities;
Provide technical assistance to individuals with
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested
parties;
Disseminate informational materials to
individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and
other interested parties; and
Serve as centers for national excellence in
rehabilitation research for individuals with disabilities, their
representatives, providers, and other interested parties.
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 RRTC. In accordance
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment of approved
grant objectives.
The Secretary is interested in hypothesis-driven research
activities. To address this interest it is expected that applicants
will articulate goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for the
proposed research activities. It is critical that proposals describe
expected public benefits, especially benefits for individuals with
disabilities, and propose projects that are optimally designed to
demonstrate outcomes that are consistent with the proposed goals.
Applicants are encouraged to include information describing how they
will measure outcomes, including the indicators that will represent the
end-result, the mechanisms that will be used to evaluate outcomes
associated with specific problems or issues, and how the proposed
activities will support new intervention approaches and strategies,
including a discussion of measures of effectiveness. Submission of this
information is voluntary except where required by the selection
criteria.
[[Page 5329]]
Priorities
Background
National data indicate that employment rates of individuals with
disabilities continue to lag well behind those of individuals without
disabilities. Analyses of the National Health Interview Survey, the
Survey of Income and Program Participation, and the Current Population
Survey provide evidence that substantial differentials in employment
exist among all sociodemographic groups and in periods of economic
expansion as well as decline. (How Working Age People With Disabilities
Fared Over the 1990s Business Cycle. Burkhauser, RV, Daly, MC, and
Houtenville, AJ. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 2000; Improved
Employment Prospects for People With Disabilities. Kaye, HS. Department
of Education, Washington, DC. In press, 2003; Employment, Earnings, and
Disability. McNeil, JM. Census Bureau, Washington, DC. 2000. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disable/emperndis.pdf
). Even when employed,
individuals with disabilities have substantially lower earnings than
those without disabilities (McNeil, 2000).
However, some analyses suggest that there has been some progress in
closing the employment gap. In expanding industries, the employment gap
shrank during the decade of the 1990's. Also, during that time frame,
the employment rate increased among the group of individuals with
disabilities who consider themselves able to work (Kaye, 2003).
These priorities are designed to encourage studies that address
gaps in understanding of the complex issues and factors affecting
employment of individuals with disabilities. The focus of this research
may be on the numerous factors affecting employment outcomes,
facilitators and barriers for workforce participation, and employment
policies. The goal of this research is to ultimately provide guidance
to employers, policymakers, trainers and educators, and stakeholders to
assist them in selecting optimal strategies that promote improved
employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Proposed Priorities
The Assistant Secretary proposes to fund RRTCs that will conduct
research on improving employment outcomes of individuals with
disabilities. Applicants must select one of the following priorities:
Economic Research on Employment Policy and Individuals with
Disabilities; Employment Service Systems; Workplace Supports and Job
Retention; and Substance Abuse and Employment Outcomes.
Under each of these priorities, the RRTC must:
(1) Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive plan for
training critical stakeholders, e.g., individuals with disabilities and
their family members, practitioners, service providers, researchers,
and policymakers;
(2) Provide technical assistance to critical stakeholders to
facilitate utilization of research findings; and
(3) Develop a systematic plan for widespread dissemination of
informational materials based on knowledge gained from the RRTC's
research activities, for individuals with disabilities, their
representatives, service providers, and other interested parties.
In addition to the specific activities proposed by the applicant,
each RRTC must:
Conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its
respective area of research in the third year of the grant cycle,
including research from other sources, and publish a comprehensive
report on the final outcomes of the conference in the fourth year of
the grant cycle;
Coordinate on research projects of mutual
interest with relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through
consultation with the NIDRR project officer;
Involve persons with disabilities in planning
and implementing the RRTC's research, training, and dissemination
activities, and in evaluating the research;
Demonstrate in its application how it will
address, in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with minority
backgrounds; and
Demonstrate how the RRTC project will yield
measurable results for individuals with disabilities;
Identify specific performance targets and
propose outcome indicators, along with time lines to reach these
targets; and
Demonstrate how the RRTC project can transfer
research findings to practical applications in planning, policy-making,
program administration, and delivery of services to individuals with
disabilities.
Consider the effect of demographics factors such
as race/ethnicity, and educational level and disability factors such as
and disability severity when conducting the research.
Each RRTC must focus research on one of the following priorities:
Priority 1--Economic Research on Employment Policy and Individuals
with Disabilities: The purpose of the priority on economic research on
employment policy and individuals with disabilities is to improve
information on the employment status of individuals with disabilities
and the effects of legislative and policy initiatives on employment
outcomes for such individuals. The research funded under this priority
must be designed to contribute to the following outcomes:
Improved understanding of employment trends for
individuals with disabilities in relation to macroeconomic,
legislative, and policy changes;
Strategies for evaluating legislative and policy
efforts to improve employment outcomes for individuals with
disabilities; and
Identification of policies that contribute to
improved employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The research resulting from this RRTC's program will provide
guidance to policy-makers and others involved in efforts to improve
employment outcomes 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.
Priority 2--Employment Service Systems: The purpose of the priority
on employment service systems is to identify effective strategies that
could be used by public and private employment service providers to
improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Among
public systems, the RRTC may include State vocational rehabilitation
services and services provided under the Workforce Investment Act
(WIA). Among private systems, the RRTC may include for-profit and non-
profit employment service providers. The RRTC may propose research
related to other public and private employment systems. The reference
for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 3, Employment
Outcomes: Community-Based Employment Service Programs and State Service
Systems. The research funded under this priority must be designed to
contribute to the following outcomes:
Cost-effective strategies that enhance consumer
access to, and satisfaction with, services that improve employment
outcomes;
Effective simplified strategies for eligibility
determination that promote access to services and improved customer
satisfaction;
Effective service system strategies for the
provision of individualized services, and enhanced coordination of
services at the individual level; and
[[Page 5330]]
Effective strategies to improve employment
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Priority 3--Workplace Supports and Job Retention: The purpose of
the priority on workplace supports and job retention is to improve
employment outcomes through the use of effective workplace supports and
job retention strategies. The reference for this topic can be found in
the Plan, chapter 3, Employment Outcomes: Employer Roles and Workplace
Supports. The research funded under this priority must be designed to
contribute to the following outcomes:
Improved understanding of the use of workplace
supports, accommodations, and strategies across a variety of work
settings and with specific disability groups;
Improved understanding of factors that impede
the use of effective workplace supports and job retention strategies;
and
Identification of effective employer-based or
workplace strategies or accommodations that improve employment outcomes
for individuals with disabilities.
Priority 4--Substance Abuse and Employment Outcomes: The purpose of
the priority on substance abuse and employment outcomes is to improve
employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities who also have
substance abuse problems. The research funded under this priority must
be designed to contribute to the following outcomes:
Effective techniques for individuals and
agencies providing employment-related services to individuals with
disabilities to screen and identify those who have substance abuse
problems; and
Effective strategies to improve employment
outcomes for individuals with disabilities who have substance abuse
problems.
When conducting this work, the RRTC must examine strategies that
are effective in both community and work settings (including community-
based partnerships) and must examine the effects of workplace support
and clinical treatment services. The reference to this topic can be
found in the Plan, chapter 2, Dimensions of Disability: Emerging
Universe of Disability.
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 costs 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 RRTC Program have been well established over
the years in that similar projects have been completed successfully.
These proposed priorities will generate new knowledge through research,
dissemination, utilization, training, and technical assistance
projects.
The benefit of these proposed priorities and project requirements
also will be the establishment of new RRTCs that generate, disseminate,
and promote the use of new information to improve options and
participation in the community for individuals with disabilities.
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://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
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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://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133B,
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
Dated: January 29, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 04-2287 Filed 2-3-04; 8:45 am]
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