[Federal Register: March 5, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 44)] [Notices] [Page 8833-8834] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 8833]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part VIII Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Applications for New Awards Under the Research and Demonstration Program for Fiscal Years 1996-1997; Notice [[Page 8834]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.133A] Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards Under the Research and Demonstration Program for Fiscal Years 1996-1997 Purpose of Program: Research and Demonstration Projects support research and demonstrations in single project areas on problems encountered by individuals with disabilities in their daily activities. These projects may conduct research on rehabilitation techniques and services, including analysis of medical, industrial, vocational, social, psychiatric, psychological, recreational, economic, and other factors to improve the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. In addition, the projects may conduct studies, analyses, and demonstrations of architectural and engineering design, including universal design, adapted to meet the special needs of individuals with disabilities. Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for grants under this program are public and private nonprofit and for-profit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 17, 1996. Application Available: March 15, 1996. Available Funds: $425,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards Per Year: Architectural and Engineering Design--$250,000, Recreation--$175,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 2. Project Period: 36 months. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86; and (b) the regulations for this program in 34 CFR Parts 350 and 351. Note: The estimates of funding levels and awards in this notice do not bind the Department of Education to a specific level of funding or number of grants. This notice supports the National Education Goal that calls for all Americans to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v) and (c)(3) and Section 204(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet one or both of the following priorities. The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet one or both of these absolute priorities: Absolute Priority 1--Architectural and Engineering Design Studies, analyses, and demonstrations utilizing architectural and engineering designs to address the special needs of individuals with disabilities. Invitational Priority 1: Within absolute priority 1, the Secretary is particularly interested in applications that address the following invitational priority. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an application that meets an invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other applications: Universal design is a holistic approach to creating environments and products that are usable by many people regardless of their abilities or age (Strategies for Teaching Universal Design, ed. by P. Welch, Adaptive Environments Center, Boston, MA, 1995). Manufacturers who apply principles of universal design to their products are making a significant contribution toward promoting the independence and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream of society. They are also increasing the market for their products by making those products attractive to or useable by larger numbers of people. Understanding the decision-making process of manufacturers who adopt principles of universal design can contribute to its increased utilization. The Secretary invites applications to investigate the factors contributing to the application of principles of universal design by manufacturers who have designed and marketed universally designed products. Absolute Priority 2--Recreation Studies and analysis on the effects of recreation on the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. Invitational Priority 2: Within the absolute priority 2, the Secretary is particularly interested in applications that address the following invitational priority. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an application that meets an invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other applications: Regular physical exercise and the resulting fitness can reduce the likelihood of heart disease, obesity, low back pain, depression, and other ailments associated with inactivity. Incorporating exercise into the lives of individuals with disabilities enables them to enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of fitness, achieve greater independence, and perform activities of daily living with less fatigue. The Secretary invites applications related to exercise and fitness for persons with disabilities. The Secretary invites applications on topics such as: (1) Measuring the fitness level of persons with disabilities and comparing it to the level of fitness of persons without disabilities; (2) evaluating the exercise habits of persons with disabilities; (3) determining the level of participation of persons with disabilities in utilizing fitness centers, programs, and products and identifying barriers to participation; or (4) designing modifications to exercise regimens to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. FOR APPLICATIONS CONTACT: In order to obtain an application package, contact William H. Whalen, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue S.W., Switzer Building, Room 3411, Washington, D.C. 20202. Telephone: (202) 205-9141. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-8887. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Esquith, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue S.W., Switzer Building, Room 3424, Washington, D.C. 20202. Telephone: (202) 205-8801. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-8133. Internet: DAVID____ESQUITH@ED.GOV. Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or on the World Wide Web at http://www.ed.gov/money.html. However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 761a and 762. Dated: February 28, 1996. Katherine D. Seelman, Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 96-5055 Filed 3-4-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P