[Federal Register: April 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 78)]
[Notices]
[Page 21281-21284]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap05-114]
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Part II
Department of Education
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National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers; Overview Information;
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priorities (NFP).
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces three funding priorities for the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research's (NIDRR)
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program,
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program. Each of
these priorities may be used for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2005
and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on
areas of national need. We intend these priorities to improve
rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities are effective May 25, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 245-
7462.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
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:
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program
We may make awards under this program for up to 60 months through
grants or cooperative agreements to public and private agencies and
organizations, including institutions of higher education, Indian
tribes, and tribal organizations, to conduct research, demonstration,
and training activities regarding rehabilitation technology in order to
enhance opportunities for meeting the needs of, and addressing the
barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities in all aspects of
their lives. Each RERC must be operated by or in collaboration with an
institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization. Additional
information on the RERC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html
.
General Requirements of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
RERCs shall carry out research or demonstration activities in
support of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, by--
Developing and disseminating innovative methods of
applying advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological
and social knowledge to (1) solve rehabilitation problems and remove
environmental barriers and (2) study and evaluate new or emerging
technologies, products, or environments and their effectiveness and
benefits; or
Demonstrating and disseminating (1) innovative models for
the delivery of cost-effective rehabilitation technology services to
rural and urban areas and (2) other scientific research to assist in
meeting the employment and independent living needs of individuals with
severe disabilities; or
Facilitating service delivery systems change through (1)
the development, evaluation, and dissemination of consumer-responsive
and individual and family-centered innovative models for the delivery
to both rural and urban areas of innovative cost-effective
rehabilitation technology services and (2) other scientific research to
assist in meeting the employment and independence needs of individuals
with severe disabilities.
Each RERC must provide training opportunities, in conjunction with
institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, to assist
individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to become
rehabilitation technology researchers and practitioners.
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. During the funding cycle of
any RERC, NIDRR will conduct one or more reviews of the activities and
achievements of the RERC. In accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR
75.253(a), continued funding depends at all times on satisfactory
performance and accomplishment.
Public Comment
We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for this program
in the Federal Register on November 26, 2004 (69 FR 68890). The NPP
included a background statement that described our rationale for
proposing these priorities.
In response to our invitation in the NPP, we received nine
comments. An analysis of the comments is included as an appendix to
this notice.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes and
suggested changes we are not authorized to make under the applicable
statutory authority. This NFP contains no changes from the NPP.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use one or more of these final priorities, we
invite applications through a notice 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 competitive 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 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/infocus/newfreedom.
The final priorities are in concert with NIDRR's 1999-2003 Long-
Range Plan (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 the final priorities, a
specific reference is included for each of the priorities presented in
this notice. The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following
site: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html.
Through the implementation of the NFI and 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
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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.
Priorities
The Assistant Secretary intends to fund RERCs, each of which must
focus on one of the following priorities: (a) Technologies for Children
with Orthopedic Disabilities, (b) Low Vision and Blindness, or (c)
Universal Design and the Built Environment.
(a) Technologies for Children with Orthopedic Disabilities: This
RERC must research and develop technologies that will help children
with orthopedic disabilities overcome functional deficits and that will
support their ability to learn, play, and interact socially. The
reference for this priority can be found in the Plan, chapter 5,
Technology for Access and Function: Research to Enhance Mobility, and
Research to Improve Manipulation Ability.
(b) Low Vision and Blindness: This RERC must research and develop
technologies that will improve assessment of vision impairments and
promote independence for individuals with low vision and blindness,
including those who are deaf/blind. The reference for this priority can
be found in the Plan, chapter 5, Technology for Access and Function:
Research to Improve or Substitute for Sensory Functioning.
(c) Universal Design and the Built Environment: This RERC must
research, develop, and evaluate strategies and devices that will
advance the field of universal design and assist designers, builders,
and manufacturers with incorporating universal design in their products
and buildings. The reference for this priority can be found in the
Plan, chapter 5, Technology for Access and Function: Systems
Technology: Universal Design and Accessibility.
Under any one of these priorities, RERCs must focus on innovative
technological solutions, new knowledge, and concepts to promote the
health, safety, independence, active engagement in daily activities,
and quality of life of persons with disabilities. Accordingly, each
RERC must:
(1) Contribute substantially to the technical and scientific
knowledge-base relevant to the priority;
(2) Research, develop, and evaluate innovative technologies,
products, environments, performance guidelines, and monitoring and
assessment tools as applicable to the priority;
(3) Identify, implement, and evaluate, in collaboration with the
relevant industry, professional associations, and institutions of
higher education, innovative approaches to expand research capacity in
the specific field of study;
(4) Monitor trends and evolving product concepts that represent and
signify future directions for technologies in the specific area of
research; and
(5) Provide technical assistance to public and private
organizations responsible for developing policies, guidelines, and
standards that affect the specific area of research.
In addition, the following requirements apply to each RERC
priority:
Each RERC must have the capability to design, build, and
test prototype devices and assist in the transfer of successful
solutions to relevant production and service delivery settings. Each
RERC must evaluate the efficacy and safety of its new products,
instrumentation, or assistive devices.
Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first three
months of the grant, a plan that describes how the RERC will include,
as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or their representatives
in all phases of its activities including research, development,
training, dissemination, and evaluation;
Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first year of
the grant and in consultation with the NIDRR-funded National Center for
the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR), a plan to disseminate
the RERC's research results to persons with disabilities, their
representatives, disability organizations, service providers,
professional journals, manufacturers, and other interested parties.
Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first year of
the grant and in consultation with the NIDRR-funded RERC on Technology
Transfer, a plan for ensuring that all new and improved technologies
developed by this RERC are successfully transferred to the marketplace.
Each RERC must conduct a state-of-the-science conference
on its respective area of research in the third year of the grant and
publish a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference
in the fourth year of the grant.
Each RERC must coordinate with research projects of mutual
interest with relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through
consultation with the NIDRR project officer.
Executive Order 12866
This notice of final 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 final 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 final priorities, we have determined
that the benefits of the final priorities justify the costs.
Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits
The potential costs associated with these final priorities are
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 RERC Program have been well established over
the years in that similar projects have been completed successfully.
These final priorities will generate new knowledge and technologies
through research, development, dissemination, utilization, and
technical assistance projects.
Another benefit of these final priorities will be the establishment
of new RERCs that support the President's NFI and will improve the
lives of persons with disabilities. The new RERCs will generate,
disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will improve
the options for individuals with disabilities 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/news/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-
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888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
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.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133E,
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3).
Dated: April 6, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix
Analysis of Comments and Changes
Comment: One commenter believes the target audience for the
Universal Design and the Built Environment priority should be
expanded beyond architects and interior designers to include
consumer product and package designers.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities that include
consumer product and package designers and the peer review process
will evaluate the merits of the proposal. However, NIDRR has no
basis for requiring all applicants to include consumer product and
package designers.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter believes the Universal Design and the
Built Environment priority should require applicants to research,
develop, and evaluate innovative ways to present human factors and
other user data so that designers are more likely to incorporate the
information into their designs.
Discussion: An applicant could propose activities that include
innovative ways to present human factors and other user data so that
designers are more likely to incorporate the information into their
designs and the peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
proposal. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants
to include these specific types of activities in their proposals.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter states that persons with cognitive
disabilities have been underserved by the universal design community
and believes the Universal Design and the Built Environment priority
should require applicants to include the design needs of persons
with cognitive disabilities in their research and development
projects.
Discussion: Although NIDRR agrees with the commenter that the
universal design community has been slow to include the design needs
of persons with cognitive disabilities, it has no basis for
requiring that all applicants focus on this population. Applicants
are encouraged to include the population in their applications. The
peer review process will evaluate the merits of the proposal.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked whether the Universal Design and
the Built Environment priority applies only to architectural design.
Discussion: The Universal Design and the Built Environment
priority does not apply only to architectural design. Applicants are
required to advance the field of universal design and assist
designers as well as builders and manufacturers, with incorporating
universal design in their products and buildings.
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters believe applicants responding to the
Low Vision and Blindness priority should be required to target
populations across their lifespan, including early infancy, and to
include a focus on employment.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees with the commenters that there is a
need to target populations across their lifespan, including early
infancy, and to focus on employment. However, NIDRR believes that
there are simply not enough resources allocated for this RERC to
make it a requirement for all applicants. An applicant could propose
activities that target populations across their lifespan, including
early infancy, and that focus on employment. The peer review process
will evaluate the merits of the proposal.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked NIDRR to clarify that the Low
Vision and Blindness priority is not restricted to only computer
access.
Discussion: The Low Vision and Blindness priority is not
restricted only to computer access. Applicants are required to
research and develop technologies that will improve assessment of
vision impairments and promote independence for individuals with low
vision and blindness, including those who are deaf/blind. Proposals
may focus on computer access as well as other relevant technologies.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked whether the Technologies for
Children with Orthopedic Disabilities priority is limited to
conventional prosthetics and orthotics or whether it could be more
broadly interpreted to include technology that can enhance the
rehabilitation of children with orthopedic disabilities.
Discussion: The Technologies for Children with Orthopedic
Disabilities priority is not limited to conventional prosthetics and
orthotics. The focus of this priority is broader. Accordingly,
applicants are required to research and develop technologies that
will help children with orthopedic disabilities overcome functional
deficits and that will support their ability to learn, play, and
interact socially.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked if NIDRR uses the same definition
of orthopedic disability as the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).
Discussion: NIDRR generally uses a modified version of the OSERS
definition that includes an emphasis on function and mobility to
improve participation and community living by individuals with
disabilities.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked how much discretion an applicant
has when determining the type and number of projects they include in
their application.
Discussion: An applicant has full discretion when determining
the type and number of projects included in a proposal provided the
projects are responsive to the given priority. The peer review
process will evaluate the merits of the proposal.
Changes: None.
[FR Doc. 05-8101 Filed 4-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P