[Federal Register: May 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 86)]
[Notices]
[Page 23845-23849]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05my05-44]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820 ZA36
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priorities for knowledge dissemination and
utilization projects.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces two knowledge dissemination and
utilization (KDU) priorities under the National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Projects (DRRP) program. The Assistant Secretary may use these
priorities for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2005 and later years.
We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need.
We intend these priorities to improve rehabilitation outcomes for
individuals with disabilities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities are effective June 6, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7462 or via Internet:
donna.nangle@ed.gov.
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:
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program
The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research,
[[Page 23846]]
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 (Act).
Under the DRRP program, we define a development activity as using
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 (34 CFR
350.16). We define a dissemination activity as the systematic
distribution of information or knowledge through a variety of ways to
potential users or beneficiaries (34 CFR 350.18). We define a technical
assistance activity as the provision of expertise or information for
use in problem-solving (34 CFR 350.19).
Background
KDU projects ensure widespread distribution, in usable formats, of
practical scientific and technological information generated by
research, development, and demonstration projects. The effective
dissemination and utilization of disability and rehabilitation research
results are critical to achieving NIDRR's mission. Research findings
can improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and further
their full inclusion into society. These benefits are feasible only if
the findings and technologies are available to, known by, and
accessible to potential users.
NIDRR is particularly interested in ensuring that information to be
disseminated is of high quality and is based on scientifically rigorous
research and development and that potential users have the information
they need to judge the quality of research and development findings and
products and the relevance of these findings and products to their
particular needs. End-users with limited scientific training, in
particular, may need assistance in order to understand competing
research claims or determine the relevance of particular findings to
their individual situations. In addition, given the nature of
scientific study, practical information often is based on cumulative
knowledge, not upon the results of any one study. Therefore, we
encourage potential applicants to examine procedures used by such
organizations as the Campbell Collaboration (http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/), the Cochrane Collaboration (http://www.cochrane.org/
), and the Department of Education What Works
Clearinghouse (http://www.w-w-c.org/) when designing synthesis and
dissemination activities. NIDRR is committed to establishing high-
quality procedures for the dissemination of information from
rehabilitation and disability research and development projects and
will be working, together with its grantees, to identify standards to
guide its work in this area.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for this program
in the Federal Register on August 27, 2004 (69 FR 52651). This notice
of final priorities (NFP) contains a number of substantive differences
from the NPP. We discuss these changes in the Analysis of Comments and
Changes section published as an appendix to this notice. After further
review of the structure of the priority language in the NPP, we believe
that it would be clearer to characterize the requirements under the
topic areas as separate priorities rather than topic areas. This change
in the structure of the priority language does not substantively change
the requirements proposed in the NPP.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use either 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
invitational 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/.
These 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 the
activities to be conducted under these final priorities, specific
references to the topics of the priorities are included elsewhere 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 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.
Priorities
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services will use two priorities, Priority #1--International Exchange
of Information and Experts in Disability and Rehabilitation Research
and Priority #2--Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional
Organizations and Stakeholders, to fund up to two DRRPs to identify or
develop dissemination methods and provide technical assistance that
focus on innovative knowledge sharing solutions to improve the lives of
persons with disabilities. The goal of the KDU projects is to provide
end-users with the information they need to make choices based on high-
quality scientific research and development. Under each of these
priorities, the KDU project, in consultation with the NIDRR project
officer, must:
(1) Identify topic areas and target audiences, which must include
people with disabilities and their families;
(2) Help NIDRR identify standards to guide the systematic review
and synthesis of disability and rehabilitation research and development
studies;
(3) Help NIDRR identify research syntheses in selected topic areas
and make this information available, in preferred formats, to the
target audiences; and
(4) Help NIDRR identify or develop effective and cost-effective
outreach strategies to provide target audiences with evidence-based
information, and determine whether and how the information is used.
In carrying out these requirements within either priority, each KDU
project also must:
[[Page 23847]]
Involve, as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or
their family members, or both, in all aspects of the design and
development of dissemination activities;
Demonstrate how the project will yield measurable results
for people with disabilities;
Identify specific performance targets and propose outcome
indicators, along with timelines to reach these targets; and
Coordinate with other NIDRR-funded KDU projects as
identified through consultation with the NIDRR project officer.
A project must focus on one of the following priority areas:
Priority 1--International Exchange of Information and Experts in
Disability and Rehabilitation Research: The purpose of a project under
this priority is to improve the exchange of disability and
rehabilitation research and development information between the United
States and other countries in order to develop new knowledge and
methods in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities in the
United States, share information found useful in other nations, and
increase the skill levels of rehabilitation personnel. Under this
priority, the KDU project must:
Develop innovative methods for compiling and exchanging
information between the United States and other nations on
rehabilitation research and development, as well as information on
disability policies that maximize the full inclusion, social
integration, employment, and independent living of individuals of all
ages with disabilities.
Provide targeted outreach to and obtain insight from
sources such as researchers; consumers; and voluntary, non-profit, and
philanthropic organizations that are operating programs related to
disability and rehabilitation research in other nations.
Conduct at least one rehabilitation research information
conference per funding cycle involving participants from the United
States and other countries to provide state-of-the-art information on
international rehabilitation research efforts and policies that affect
people with disabilities.
Conduct an international exchange of researchers and
technical assistance experts between other countries and the United
States to provide firsthand experiences in cross-cultural communication
and to form alliances for collaborative research or information
sharing.
The reference to the topic of this priority may be found in the
Plan, Chapter 10, Enhancing NIDRR's Management of Research.
Priority 2--Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional
Organizations and Stakeholders: The purpose of a project under this
priority is to disseminate information on disability and rehabilitation
research and development findings to a particular constituency by using
organizations that serve that constituency as intermediaries. Such
organizations, because they have established strategies for providing
information to their constituencies--e.g., conferences, newsletters,
and workshops--may represent an effective means of dissemination. Under
this priority, the KDU project must:
Produce information digests that will be suitable for
further dissemination through the partner organizations.
Be knowledgeable about the target audiences represented by
the organizations.
Develop innovative means of communication with the
community served by the organizations.
Serve as an information conduit for interactive
discussions with the organizations that will help inform future NIDRR
research priorities and disseminate the findings of NIDRR-sponsored
research.
The reference to the topic of this priority may be found in the
Plan, Chapter 8, Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization, and Chapter
10, Enhancing NIDRR's Management of Research.
Executive Order 12866
This NFP 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 NFP 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 NFP, 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 incur some 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. Similar projects have been completed successfully and have
produced findings that help improve the lives of individuals with
disabilities. These final priorities will generate new strategies for
disseminating findings from disability and rehabilitation research and
development that will improve the full integration of individuals with
disabilities into society.
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 1-888-293-6498; 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 84.133A, Disability
Rehabilitation Research Projects Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
Dated: April 29, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix--Analysis of Comments and Changes
In response to our invitation in the NPP, we received nine
comments. An analysis of the comments and of the changes in the
priorities since publication of the NPP follows. We discuss
substantive issues that apply to both priorities under the heading
General and other substantive issues under the title of the priority
to which they pertain.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes
and suggested changes we are not authorized to make under the
applicable statutory authority.
General
Comment: Four commenters suggested that combining the
requirements for drafting standards and conducting research
syntheses would be problematic because it could lead
[[Page 23848]]
to the development of conflicting standards and dissemination of
conflicting information through different forms of media.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees that coordinated efforts among relevant
agencies, groups, and organizations are needed. NIDRR also believes
that it is appropriate to add the term ``identify'' to the priority
requirements in recognition of the many effective KDU strategies in
use for research and development products.
Change: The third activity has been deleted and the second,
fourth, and fifth activities, which are now the second, third, and
fourth activities, have been changed so they read: ``Help NIDRR
identify standards'', ``Help NIDRR identify research syntheses''
and, ``Help NIDRR identify or develop effective and cost-effective
outreach strategies.'' In addition, a bullet has been added to the
additional requirements to ``Coordinate with other NIDRR funded KDU
projects.'' NIDRR anticipates that a national KDU technical
assistance project (which it plans to fund under a separate priority
that is being proposed in a notice of proposed priority published
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register) will help projects
with the tasks outlined in these priorities and lessen the
possibility of conflicting evidence grading methods or duplication
of efforts.
Comment: One commenter believes that a three-year project period
for a funded KDU project under one of these priorities would be too
short to accomplish the tasks outlined in the proposed priorities.
Discussion: The length of the project period is not part of the
NPP and therefore is not subject to public comment.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the KDU projects funded
under these priorities should be required to coordinate standards
development and topic selection, along with a steering committee not
associated with a particular discipline. The commenter also
suggested that an outside committee be a part of the coordination of
standards development and topic selection process to avoid the
appearance of bias.
Discussion: As revised, these priorities now require applicants
to help NIDRR identify standards and develop technical assistance in
the use of the standards. NIDRR anticipates that the national KDU
technical assistance project, which NIDRR intends to fund under a
separate priority that is being proposed in a notice of proposed
priority published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register,
will help projects with the tasks outlined in these priorities and
improve coordination of NIDRR KDU activities. Applicants can propose
coordinated efforts. The peer review process will evaluate the
merits of the activities proposed.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter proposed that there be only one center
for standards development, coordination, and technical evidence
synthesis products and that this one center should involve a range
of stakeholders.
Discussion: NIDRR anticipates that the national KDU technical
assistance project, which it intends to fund under a separate
priority that is being proposed in a notice of proposed priority
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, will help
NIDRR and its grantees address issues relating to the identification
of standards, and the development of evidence-based synthesis
products.
Change: None.
Comment: None.
Discussion: The term ``evidence-based'' is a generally accepted
technical term that is widely used in the field of disability and
rehabilitation research in reference to the assessment of the
quality of research findings. Information for readers who are
interested in this topic may be found on numerous internet sites
including: http://www.excelgov.org/display content.asp?keyword=prppc HomePage and http://www.ncddr.org/du/ researchexchange/ v08n02/.
Change: In order to make the goals of these priorities to
provide end-users with high-quality scientific research and
development more understandable, the term ``evidence-based'' has
been substituted for the term ``research-based'' in 4 of
the general requirements.
Comment: Commenters expressed concern that the priority areas
emphasized by NIDRR in the NPP are really means of dissemination
rather than areas of focus. In addition, one commenter felt that it
would better serve NIDRR's purpose to have each KDU project include
all methods of dissemination established under the priorities.
Discussion: NIDRR's KDU projects and activities address a wide
range of topics and methods. The priorities in this notice as well
as ongoing and possible future activities reflect this range. This
notice includes both general requirements common to all projects
applying for funding under one of the priorities as well as specific
methods and target audiences required under each individual
priority. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
approaches proposed.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter felt that it is not beneficial to ``serve
only one particular constituency and one organization.'' Due to the
multi-disciplinary nature of rehabilitation research and the type of
expertise resident in NIDRR's large centers, such as Rehabilitation
Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering
Research Centers, this would be detrimental.
Discussion: Nothing in these priorities requires a KDU project
to serve a single constituency and organization. Applicants can
propose working with certain disability organizations or groups of
organizations. The peer review will evaluate the merits of the
approaches proposed in each application.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the priority for the
professional organization and stakeholder group should take the lead
in coordinating activities among the priorities.
Discussion: NIDRR believes that there is no basis for giving one
project funded under these priorities a special role in
coordination. The national KDU project, which NIDRR intends to fund
under a separate priority that is being proposed in a notice of
proposed priority published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register, will provide needed coordination among these and other
NIDRR grantees.
Change: None.
Dissemination Using the Mainstream Media
Comment: Three commenters expressed support for this priority
and strongly urged NIDRR to fund a priority to increase the use of
the mainstream media for dissemination.
Discussion: NIDRR takes note of the support for this priority,
but has decided not to finalize the Dissemination Using the
Mainstream Media priority in this notice.
Change: We are not including the Dissemination Using the
Mainstream Media priority in this notice.
International Exchange of Information and Experts in Rehabilitation and
Independent Living
Comment: One commenter stressed the need for the proposed
international exchange activity to benefit the field of
rehabilitation in the United States.
Discussion: We agree with the commenter that the proposed
international exchange activity must benefit the field of
rehabilitation in the United States. However, no change is necessary
because we believe the wording of the priority already clearly
states this requirement.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that rather than name the types
of organizations that might be involved in international exchanges,
more general language should be used.
Discussion: The language was not meant to restrict the
individuals, agencies, or organizations with which the applicant
might propose to work.
Change: The second activity bullet under this priority has been
changed to include the words ``sources such as'' before the
illustrative list of individuals and organizations with which
applicants may work.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the title of the proposed
priority not use the term ``independent living'' which may have
different meanings in other cultures. In addition, the commenter
suggested that the use of this term may limit information from other
areas of the Plan, such as Health and Function, Employment,
Technology, etc.
Discussion: NIDRR believes independent living is an important
area for inclusion in international literature. In including
independent living in the title of the priority, NIDRR did not
intend to limit the areas of research or exchange that might be
proposed. The applicant can propose a project relating to any of the
areas in the Plan. To address the concern expressed in comments that
specifying independent living in the priority title may give
disproportionate attention to that topic, a more general title will
be used. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the
approaches proposed in each application.
Changes: The title of this priority has been changed to read
``International Exchange of Information and Experts in Disability
and Rehabilitation Research.''
[[Page 23849]]
Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional Organizations and
Stakeholders
Comment: One commenter expressed strong support for the proposed
priority on ``Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional
Organizations and Stakeholders.''
Discussion: NIDRR takes note of this support.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that evidence-based products
developed by and for a single professional or consumer organization
might be considered biased. It was suggested that the language be
changed from ``particular constituency'' to ``relevant
constituency'' or ``stakeholder constituencies.''
Discussion: NIDRR believes that the word ``particular adequately
describes the intent of this priority. The peer review process will
evaluate the merits of the approaches proposed.
Change: None.
[FR Doc. 05-8997 Filed 5-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P