U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that Steven James Tingus will serve as director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). NIDRR includes the Education Department's Interagency Committee on Disability Research, Research Sciences Division, and Program Development Division.

As director, Tingus will serve as chief advisor to Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Robert Pasternack and direct research programs and activities related to maximizing employment and independent living opportunities for disabled individuals of all ages. In addition, Tingus will manage all NIDRR activities. His responsibilities will include:

• preparing a long-range plan for rehabilitation research;
• directing funding and resources for research and training centers;
• evaluating current and future operating programs; and
• disseminating new research related to disabilities and effective rehabilitation policies and practices.

Prior to joining the Education Department, Tingus served as director of resource development and public policy director for assistive technology at the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. In that capacity, Tingus developed and implemented model policies and activities to broaden access to assistive technology for persons with disabilities to help them live independent and productive lives. From 1995-1998, Tingus served as health care policy analyst in the Office of Long Term Care at the California Department of Health Services.

Tingus earned his master of science degree in physiology from the University of California, Davis, in 1990 and has done work toward his doctoral degree in physiology.

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