FR Doc 03-11624
[Federal Register: May 9, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 90)]
[Notices]
[Page 25006-25009]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09my03-73]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820 ZA21
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 for one or more development
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
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
[[Page 25007]]
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 4:00
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 development activity as the use
of knowledge and understanding gained from research to create
materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target
population, including design and development of prototypes and
processes.
Priorities--Development 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 centers and
projects consistent with the Plan and that support the NFI.
We received many suggestions. The purpose of this notice of
proposed priorities is to present two development topics from public
suggestions. These topics are for development activities under the DRRP
program.
We propose priorities for development 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
materials, devices, systems, or methods to improve the inclusion and
participation of individuals with disabilities in their families and
communities. We propose two topics with the knowledge that we may not
issue final priorities nor make awards in both 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
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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 e-mail
or facsimile copy, must be received by NIDRR no later than June 9,
2003. Applicants that submit e-mail or facsimile copies must follow up
by sending to NIDRR the signed original copy no later than one week
after the date the e-mail 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 e-mail 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 the priority, projects
awarded under each of the topics, in consultation with the NIDRR
project officer, must:
[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 development 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 development as well as
in design of clinical services and dissemination activities;
[sbull] Demonstrate how the project will yield measurable results
for people with disabilities;
[sbull] Identify specific performance targets and propose outcome
indicators, along with time lines to reach these targets; and
[sbull] Disseminate findings on products and technologies to
appropriate audiences, including information on best practices, where
applicable.
An applicant must propose development activities and dissemination
of findings under one of the following topics:
(a) Voting Access and Privacy. This project must develop
technologies, strategies, and approaches that can be used to improve
and expand access, including physical accessibility, to voting
accurately, independently, and privately for all citizens with
disabilities. Voting is a citizen's most basic right. Yet many
individuals with disabilities find it difficult, if not impossible, to
vote without a poll worker's or another individual's assistance.
Development products may address, but are not limited to, voting
apparatus, accommodations information, training materials (i.e., books,
guidelines, electronic materials) for public elections officials and
citizens, and cost analysis and evaluation of products and technologies
to enhance voting access for citizens with disabilities. The reference
for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 5, Technology for
Access and Function: Research to Improve Accessibility of
Telecommunications and Information Technology.
(b) Technologies for Families and Caregivers. This project must
develop technologies, strategies, and approaches that will facilitate
and improve the continuum of activities and reduce the demands involved
in care giving for individuals with disabilities. The upsurge of
programs such as ``Long-Term Care'' and ``Home-Health Care'' has
stimulated the need for tools and strategies that enable individuals
with disabilities to live longer and more productively in their
communities. New and improved technologies for care giving will help
implement the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision. Development
products may address, but are not limited to, evaluation and assessment
of existing technology solutions, accommodations information, training
materials (i.e., books, guidelines, electronic materials) for public
officials and citizens, and cost analysis and evaluation of products
and technologies to enhance community integration, personal assistance
services, and independent living for citizens with disabilities. The
reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 5,
Technology for Access and Function: Assistive Technology for
Individuals.
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 development 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 disable 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).
[[Page 25009]]
Dated: May 6, 2003.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 03-11624 Filed 5-8-03; 8:45 am]
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