[Federal Register: May 9, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 90)]
[Notices]
[Page 25011-25014]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09my03-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820-ZA23
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 up to seven awards
under the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) Program
under the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR). The Assistant Secretary may use these priorities for
competition in fiscal year (FY) 2003 and later years. We take this
action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend
these priorities to improve the 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 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 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
.
These proposed priorities are in concert with NIDRR's Long-Range
Plan (the Plan). The Plan is comprehensive
[[Page 25012]]
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 the 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.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
We may make awards for up to 60 months to institutions of higher
education or providers of rehabilitation or other appropriate services.
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://www.ed.gov/officers/OSERS/NIDRR/Programs/res_program.html#RRTC
.
General Requirements of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs must:
[sbull] Carry out coordinated advanced programs of rehabilitation
research;
[sbull] Provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training to help rehabilitation personnel more effectively
provide rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities;
[sbull] Provide technical assistance to individuals with
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested
parties;
[sbull] Disseminate informational materials to individuals with
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested
parties;
[sbull] Serve as centers for national excellence in rehabilitation
research for individuals with disabilities, their representatives,
providers, and other interested parties; and
[sbull] Involve individuals with disabilities and individuals from
minority backgrounds as recipients of research as well as training.
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 Center. In accordance
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment.
Priorities
Background
The following categories represent areas of NIDRR interest based on
prior investment, recommendations from constituencies, and
opportunities for continued advancement in rehabilitation treatment and
support of community integration efforts. Basic incidence and
prevalence data are provided for each of the proposed Health and
Function RRTCs.
There are increasing numbers of individuals aging with disability
in the United States. As reported in Chapter Six of Healthy People
2010, from 1990 to 1994, disability rates increased in youth under the
age of 18 as well as in the age group between 18 and 44. Advances in
medical science, technology, rehabilitation treatment, public health,
and consumer education have resulted in increased life expectancies for
individuals with significant physical disabilities. In addition, the
absolute number of persons aged 65 or older living with disabilities
also increased.
There are approximately 10,000 new cases of spinal cord injury
(SCI) each year; the prevalence of SCI is estimated to be between
183,000 and 230,000. Although medical advances have improved the
probability of surviving SCI, the life expectancy of individuals with
SCI is lower than that of the general population. People living with
SCI continue to be at higher risk than the general population for
secondary disabilities such as pressure ulcers, respiratory
complications, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pain, depression, and
obesity.
An estimated 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities
resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) estimate that approximately 80,000 Americans experience
the onset of disabilities resulting from TBI each year. As stated in
the 1998 National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference
Proceedings, ``TBI may result in lifelong impairment of an individual's
physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning.'' Among children up
to age 14, TBI results annually in an estimated 3,000 deaths, 29,000
hospitalizations, and 400,000 emergency department visits. The long-
term consequences of these occurrences are not well documented. A
working group convened by the National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control at the CDC in October, 2000, called for more research on
patterns of recovery, secondary conditions, effectiveness of treatment,
and issues of measurement for this population.
Neuromuscular diseases affect approximately 400,000 children and
adults in the U.S. Neuromuscular disease is a classification category
that describes diseases of the peripheral neuromuscular system, both
acquired and hereditary. This category encompasses diseases such as
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, post-polio, Guillan-Barre, muscular
dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and other muscular atrophies and
myopathies. Conditions associated with these disorders include
progressive weakness, limb contractures, spine deformity, and impaired
pulmonary function.
New or recurrent stroke affects approximately 600,000 people each
year in the U.S., the majority of whom (72 percent) are 65 or older.
Approximately 84 percent of these events are first attacks, while the
remaining 16 percent are recurrent episodes. Stroke is the leading
diagnosis for individuals treated in medical rehabilitation facilities
in the U.S. In addition, there are approximately 4.4 million stroke
survivors living in the U.S.
Arthritis affects approximately 43 million Americans, which is
about 1 of every 6 people, making it one of the most common disease
groups in the U.S. In addition, as the U.S. population ages, the number
of Americans with arthritis is expected to increase to 60 million
persons by 2020. Arthritis is also the leading cause of disability
among adults in America, with more than 7 million persons in our
population reporting daily limitations in their activities due to
arthritis.
Approximately 300,000 individuals in the U.S. have multiple
sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous
system when the white matter protecting the nerve fibers is
[[Page 25013]]
damaged. The age of onset peaks between 20 and 30 years. Almost 70
percent of persons exhibit symptoms between the ages of 21 and 40. The
life expectancy of persons with MS is essentially normal; however,
there may be progressive or recurring and relapsing incidences of
symptoms and disability over the life course. Recent pharmacological
treatments reduce the progression or frequency of attacks of the
symptoms for some people with MS, and other treatments are effective
for some manifestations of the disease.
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 RRTC, 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 RRTC and a description of
its research and development activities at a sufficient level of detail
to allow NIDRR to select potential peer reviewers; (3) a list of
proposed RRTC staff including the center Director and key 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 email
or facsimile copy, must be received by NIDRR no later than June 9,
2003. Applicants that submit email 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: Ruth Brannon,
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3425,
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645. For further information
regarding the LOI requirement, contact Ruth Brannon at (202) 358-2971
or by e-mail at: ruth.brannon@ed.gov.
Proposed Priorities
The Assistant Secretary proposes to fund up to seven RRTCs that
will focus on rehabilitation to improve the health and function of
persons with disabilities and thus to improve their ability to live in
the community. Each RRTC must:
(1) Identify, develop, and evaluate rehabilitation techniques to
address its respective area of research and improve outcomes for its
designated population group;
(2) Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive plan for
training critical stakeholders, e.g., consumers/family members,
practitioners, service providers, researchers, and policymakers;
(3) Provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to critical
stakeholders, (e.g., consumers/family members, practitioners, and
service providers) to facilitate utilization of research findings in
its respective area of research; and
(4) Develop a systematic plan for widespread dissemination of
informational materials based on knowledge gained from the Center's
research activities, and disseminate the materials to persons with
disabilities, their representatives, service providers, and other
interested parties.
In addition to the activities proposed by the applicant to carry
out these purposes, each RRTC must:
[sbull] Conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its respective
area of research in the third year of the grant cycle and publish a
comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference in the
fourth year of the grant cycle. This conference must include materials
from experts internal and external to the center;
[sbull] Coordinate on research projects of mutual interest with
relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through consultation with
the NIDRR project officer;
[sbull] Involve individuals with disabilities in planning and
implementing its research, training, and dissemination activities, and
in evaluating the Center;
[sbull] Demonstrate in its application how it will address, in
whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds; and
[sbull] Demonstrate how the RRTC 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] 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.
Each RRTC must focus on one of the following priority topic areas:
(a) Psycho-social Factors Affecting Individuals Aging with
Disability: This Center must conduct research and training activities
that generate new knowledge regarding the psycho-social issues that
affect individuals aging with disabilities and the sources of
resilience used by this population to cope with or respond to these
issues. In an effort to improve long-term outcomes for these
individuals, the Center is encouraged to identify or develop and test
the effectiveness of interventions that will prevent or minimize the
impact of psycho-social issues on the health, activity, and community
participation of individuals with disabilities across the life span and
promote positive adjustment and improved quality of life. The reference
for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 4, Health and
Function: Research on Aging with a Disability.
(b) Secondary Conditions in Rehabilitation of Individuals with
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): In an effort to improve the general health,
well-being, and community integration of individuals with SCI, this
Center must conduct research and training activities to enhance
knowledge regarding treatment or prevention strategies or both that
address the wide array of secondary conditions associated with SCI,
including, but not limited to, respiratory complications, urinary tract
infections, pressure ulcers, pain, obesity, and depression. The
reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 4, Health
and Function: Research on Secondary Conditions.
(c) Community Integration of Individuals With Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI): This Center must identify, assess, and evaluate current
and emerging community integration needs of individuals with TBI,
including but not limited to mild TBI. The Center should consider the
impact of secondary conditions on community integration outcomes as
well as the role of assistive devices and other technology. In
addition, this Center must develop and evaluate a comprehensive plan to
facilitate the translation of new knowledge into rehabilitation
practice and the delivery of community-based services. The reference
for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 4, Health and
Function: Research on Aging with a Disability.
(d) Rehabilitation of Individuals with Neuromuscular Diseases: This
Center must conduct research that addresses rehabilitation needs,
particularly related to exercise, nutrition, and pain, of individuals
with neuromuscular diseases. In doing this, the Center must identify or
develop and evaluate health promotion and wellness programs to enhance
recreational opportunities for individuals with neuromuscular
[[Page 25014]]
diseases. This Center must identify, develop as appropriate, and
evaluate devices and other technology that improve employment and
community integration outcomes for this population of individuals with
disabilities. The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan,
Chapter 4, Health and Function: Research on Progressive and
Degenerative Disease Rehabilitation.
(e) Rehabilitation of Stroke Survivors: This Center must conduct
research to develop rehabilitation interventions that improve
rehabilitation, employment, and community integration outcomes of
stroke survivors, including young stroke survivors. Such interventions
may include robotics, complementary alternative therapies, and
universal design methodologies aimed at improving the utility of
workplace tools and devices. This Center must explore the cost-
effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation treatments, such as group model
approaches. The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan,
Chapter 4, Health and Function: Research on Trauma Rehabilitation.
(f) Rehabilitation of Individuals with Arthritis: This Center must
address national goals to reduce pain and disability, improve physical
fitness and quality of life, and promote independent living and
community integration for persons with arthritis of all ages in the
United States. This Center must research the benefits of exercise and
physical fitness; home and community-based self-management programs;
and technologies available to the broad populations of persons with
arthritis in the environments where they live, learn, work, and play.
The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 4,
Health and Function: Research on Progressive and Degenerative Disease
Rehabilitation.
(g) Rehabilitation of Children with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
This Center must identify, assess, and evaluate current and emerging
rehabilitation needs for children and adolescents with TBI. In doing
this, the Center must document patterns of recovery, determining the
effectiveness of current outcome measures for this population. Of
particular interest will be evaluation of interventions and
technologies, including specialized support services, to assist
families and caregivers with transition to the school and the
community. This RRTC must identify or develop effective rehabilitation
strategies to improve outcomes for children and adolescents with TBI at
all stages of rehabilitation. The reference for this topic can be found
in the Plan, Chapter 4, Health and Function: Research on Trauma
Rehabilitation.
(h) Rehabilitation of Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS):
This Center must conduct research to maximize the participation of
people with MS, including those with all levels of symptoms associated
with the disease, at home, in the community, and while working or
learning. In doing so, the Center must identify, develop as necessary,
and evaluate interventions to enhance the independence of people with
MS. Those interventions must include strategies and programs that
address interactions between cognitive, psychosocial, sensory,
mobility, and other manifestations of the disease across the lifespan.
The Center must consider the role of assistive and universally designed
technologies, strategic goals, and financial planning for persons with
MS, and the role of caregivers throughout the disease course. The
reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, Chapter 4, Health
and Function: Research on Progressive and Degenerative Disease
Rehabilitation.
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 Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Program have been well established over the years in that similar
projects have been completed. These proposed priorities will generate
new knowledge through a research, dissemination, utilization, training,
and technical assistance projects.
The benefit of these proposed priorities and proposed applications
and project requirements will be the establishment of a new RRTCs that
generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will
improve the options for disabled 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: 84.133B,
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
Dated: May 6, 2003.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 03-11626 Filed 5-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P