[Federal Register: March 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 45)] [Notices] [Page 11747-11749] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr09mr99-148] [[Page 11747]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part VII Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research: Proposed Funding Priority (Fiscal Years 1999-2000) for a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project; Notice [[Page 11748]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice of Proposed Funding Priority for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes a funding priority for a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) 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. This priority is intended to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 8, 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 terms ``Leadership Training Project'' 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 a DRRP on leadership training. There is a reference in the proposed priority 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. This proposed priority supports 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 priority in a notice in the Federal Register. The final priority 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 this proposed priority does not preclude the Secretary from proposing additional priorities, nor does it limit the Secretary to funding only this priority, subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements. Note: This notice of proposed priority 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 priority. 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. Priority Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), the Secretary proposes to give an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary proposes to fund under this competition only applications that meet this priority. Proposed Priority: Leadership Training Introduction Chapter Two of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57194-57198) describes the increased rate of disability in racial and ethnic minorities. Disability services providers, including providers of vocational rehabilitation services, are studying ways to improve access to, and the provision of, services to minority populations. There is a need for new training approaches in order to increase the number of leaders with disabilities, including those from minority backgrounds, to become effective advocates for all persons with disabilities. Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires that NIDRR reserve a portion of its appropriated funds for a fiscal year to carry out certain activities. Section 21(b)(2)(A) authorizes NIDRR to make awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities authorized under Title II of the Act. Minority entities are defined as a historically Black college or university (a Part B institution, as defined in Section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965), a Hispanic-serving institution of higher education, an American Indian tribal college or university, or another institution of higher education whose minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. Consistent with Section 21(b)(2)(A), eligibility to apply for this grant will be limited to minority entities and Indian tribes. Proposed Priority The Secretary proposes to establish a DRRP to increase the leadership competencies of individuals with disabilities, including those from minority backgrounds, who work for community-based organizations, whose purpose is to improve the educational, employment, and socio-economic status of diverse communities of people. The purpose is to enable these trained individuals to maximize the full inclusion and integration of individuals of disabilities of all ages into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency. The DRRP must: (1) Identify national, State, and local disability-related education, service, civil rights, and policy entities to participate in the development of leadership training activities and strategies; and (2) In cooperation with the entities identified under paragraph (1), train emerging leaders with disabilities, including those from minority backgrounds, who work for community-based organizations whose purpose is to improve the educational, employment, and socio-economic status of diverse communities of people. Areas of training may include: service delivery, disability civil rights history and advocacy, management, policy and financial analysis, and establishment of policies and direction for rehabilitation programs. [[Page 11749]] In carrying out these purposes, the project must: * Address issues of equal access of minority individuals with significant disabilities to rehabilitation services; and * Provide training on the philosophy of disability-related self-determination and self-advocacy, development of peer relationships, inclusion, independent living, and peer role models. 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.html 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, 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 Part 350. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133A, Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects) Dated: March 2, 1999. Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 99-5769 Filed 3-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-U