[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2730-2733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-897]
[[Page 2729]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for Certain
Centers; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 1999 /
Notices
[[Page 2730]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research;
Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for Certain
Centers
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-
2000 for Certain Centers.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes funding priorities for one
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) and two
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) 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. These priorities are intended to
improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with
disabilities.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 16, 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 term ``Research Centers'' 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) 205-9136. 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 one RRTC related to rehabilitation of persons with
traumatic brain injury and two RERCs related to universal design and
the built environment, and telecommunications access. There are
references in the proposed priorities 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.
These proposed priorities support 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 priorities in a notice in the
Federal Register. The final priorities 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 these proposed priorities
does not preclude the Secretary from proposing additional priorities,
nor does it limit the Secretary to funding only these priorities,
subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.
Note: This notice of proposed priorities 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 priorities.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
Authority for the RRTC program of NIDRR is contained in section
204(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C.
764(b)(2)). Under this program the Secretary makes awards to public and
private organizations, including institutions of higher education and
Indian tribes or tribal organizations for coordinated research and
training activities. These entities must be of sufficient size, scope,
and quality to effectively carry out the activities of the Center in an
efficient manner consistent with appropriate State and Federal laws.
They must demonstrate the ability to carry out the training activities
either directly or through another entity that can provide that
training.
The Secretary may make awards for up to 60 months through grants or
cooperative agreements. The purpose of the awards is for planning and
conducting research, training, demonstrations, and related activities
leading to the development of methods, procedures, and devices that
will benefit individuals with disabilities, especially those with the
most severe disabilities.
Description of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs are operated in collaboration with institutions of higher
education or providers of rehabilitation services or other appropriate
services. RRTCs serve as centers of national excellence and national or
regional resources for providers and individuals with disabilities and
the parents, family members, guardians, advocates or authorized
representatives of the individuals.
RRTCs conduct coordinated, integrated, and advanced programs of
research in rehabilitation targeted toward the production of new
knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery
systems, to alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, and to promote
maximum social and economic independence of individuals with
disabilities.
RRTCs provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to assist individuals to more effectively provide
rehabilitation services. They also provide training including graduate,
pre-service, and in-service training, for rehabilitation research
personnel and other rehabilitation personnel.
RRTCs serve as informational and technical assistance resources to
providers, individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family
members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of these
individuals through conferences, workshops, public education programs,
in-service training programs and similar activities.
RRTCs disseminate materials in alternate formats to ensure that
they are accessible to individuals with a range of disabling
conditions.
NIDRR encourages all Centers to involve individuals with
disabilities and individuals from minority backgrounds as recipients of
research training, as well as clinical 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.
[[Page 2731]]
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 absolute priority.
Proposed Priority 1: Rehabilitation of Persons With Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI)
Introduction
Chapter Four of NIDRR's proposed Long-Range Plan (63 FR 57204)
addresses research on trauma rehabilitation, including brain injury. A
1998 draft National Institute of Health's Consensus Development
Conference Statement on Rehabilitation of Persons with TBI identifies
emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms of TBI that
affect the individuals with TBI, family, friends, community, and
society. The report raises important research issues related to
children, the elderly, and persons who experience mild TBI symptoms.
NIDRR has a long history of support for research on TBI that has
focused primarily on adults with moderate and severe injuries. This
RRTC will address the needs of all age groups including children and
the elderly. In addition, the RRTC will expand its focus to include
persons with mild TBI. For the purpose of this proposed priority, mild
TBI is defined using the definition developed in 1991 by the Mild TBI
Committee of the Head Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group
of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine definition (see
Esselman, P. and Uomoto, J., ``Classification of the Spectrum of Mild
Traumatic Brain Injury,'' Brain Injury, Vol. 9, No. 4, pgs. 417-424,
1995).
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish an RRTC for the purpose of
developing interventions to improve the functional abilities and
promote the independence of persons with TBI. The RRTC shall:
(1) Develop and evaluate methodologies to assess the epidemiology
and long term consequences of mild TBI and identify interventions for
rehabilitation;
(2) Develop and evaluate innovative methods of diagnosis and
treatment of the medical, psychological, and neurobehavioral sequelae
of TBI across all age groups;
(3) Develop and evaluate innovative interventions to assist
families;
(4) Develop and test prognostic indicators of rehabilitation
outcomes including early predictors of functional outcomes for all age
groups;
(5) Provide training on research methodology and applied research
experience, and training on knowledge gained from the Center's research
activities to persons with disabilities and their families, service
providers, and other appropriate parties;
(6) Develop and disseminate 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;
(7) Involve individuals with disabilities and, if appropriate,
their representatives, in planning and implementing its research,
training, and dissemination activities, and in evaluating the Center;
(8) Conduct a state-of-the-science conference and publish a
comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference. The
report must be published in the fourth year of the grant; and
(9) Coordinate with other entities carrying out related research or
training activities including NIDRR's grantees on TBI.
Description of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
RERCs carry out research or demonstration activities by:
(a) 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 new or emerging technologies,
products, or environments;
(b) 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
(c) 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 independent needs of individuals with severe
disabilities.
Each RERC must provide training opportunities to individuals,
including individuals with disabilities, to become researchers of
rehabilitation technology and practitioners of rehabilitation
technology in conjunction with institutions of higher education and
nonprofit organizations.
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 RERC, 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.
Proposed General RERC Requirements
The Secretary proposes that the following requirements apply to
these RERCs pursuant to these absolute priorities unless noted
otherwise. An applicant's proposal to fulfill these proposed
requirements will be assessed using applicable selection criteria in
the peer review process. The Secretary is interested in receiving
comments on these proposed requirements:
The 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. The RERC must
evaluate the efficacy and safety of its new products, instrumentation,
or assistive devices.
The RERC must disseminate research results and other knowledge
gained from the Center's research and development activities to persons
with disabilities, their representatives, disability organizations,
businesses, manufacturers, professional journals, service providers,
and other interested parties.
The RERC must develop and carry out utilization activities to
successfully transfer all new and improved technologies developed by
the RERC to the marketplace.
The RERC must involve individuals with disabilities and, if
appropriate, their representatives, in planning and implementing its
research, development, training, and dissemination activities, and in
evaluating the Center.
The RERC must conduct a state-of-the-science conference and publish
a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference. The
report must be published in the fourth year of the grant.
[[Page 2732]]
The RERC must coordinate with other entities carrying out related
research or training activities.
Priorities
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), the Secretary proposes to give an
absolute preference to applications that meet the following priorities.
The Secretary proposes to fund under this competition only applications
that meet one of these absolute priorities.
Proposed Priority 2: Universal Design and the Built Environment
Introduction
Chapter 5 of NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (63 FR 57207) discusses the
importance of improving access to the built environment through
universal design. Universal design is a process whereby environments
and products are designed with built-in flexibility so they are usable
by all people, regardless of age and ability, at no additional cost to
the user. For the purpose of this priority, the built environment
includes public and private buildings, houses, landscapes, and tools
and objects of daily use (e.g., door openers, environmental control
systems, and appliances).
In order to create environments that are universal in nature, it is
necessary to have a database of physical measurements of the human body
(i.e., anthropometric data) that includes persons with disabilities.
There is a need for more anthropometric data on persons with
disabilities. A 1996 report from the U.S. Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) concluded that
research was needed regarding how people with disabilities access
toilet and bathing facilities. NIDRR expects this RERC to develop a
prototype anthropometric database that can be used to create
universally designed toileting facilities and adapted for the
development of other anthropometric databases for persons with
disabilities.
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish an RERC on universal design and
the built environment to advance the field of universal design and
improve the accessibility of the built environment. The RERC must:
(1) Develop and evaluate universally designed plans and products
for the built environment;
(2) Develop a prototype anthropometric database, both static and
dynamic, of persons with disabilities, including those who use manual
or powered wheelchairs, to access and use toilet and bathing
facilities;
(3) Identify, develop and evaluate strategies for promoting
adoption of universal design in the building and product manufacturing
industries, and design and architecture curricula; and
(4) Serve as a national information resource on universal design
standards, plans, building products, funding sources, and performance
evaluations for designers, builders and manufacturers.
In carrying out these purposes, the RERC must coordinate on
activities of mutual interest with the RERCs on Telecommunications
Access and Information Technologies Access, and the Access Board.
Proposed Priority 3: Telecommunications Access
Introduction
Chapter 5 of NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (63 FR 57207) discusses the
importance of telecommunications accessibility and the need for
continued research and development. For the purpose of this priority,
telecommunications systems and products include, but are not limited
to, wireless communication technologies, networks, multimedia
conferencing systems, and software supporting these technologies,
products, and systems.
The RERC on Telecommunications Access faces the challenge of
promoting access to a highly dynamic field. In order to keep pace with
developments in the field, NIDRR expects this RERC to undertake its
research and development activities in close collaboration with private
industry as well as with public entities that regulate the
telecommunications industry. NIDRR expects this RERC to contribute to
improving the employment status of persons with disabilities by
providing employers with technical assistance and by providing persons
with disabilities with information to make them better consumers.
Proposed Priority
The Secretary proposes to establish an RERC on telecommunications
access for the purpose of developing technological solutions and
promoting access for persons with disabilities to current and emerging
telecommunications systems and products. The RERC must:
(1) Develop and evaluate in collaboration with industry
technological solutions to promote accessibility and universal design
at the outset of the development of telecommunications systems and
products;
(2) Develop and disseminate strategies for integrating current
accessibility features into newer generations of telecommunications
systems and products;
(3) Provide technical assistance to public and private
organizations responsible for developing policies, guidelines, and
standards that affect the accessibility of telecommunications
technology products and systems, including the Access Board and the
Federal Communications Commission; and
(4) Provide technical assistance and guidance to individuals with
disabilities and employers on accessibility issues affecting current
telecommunications systems and products.
In carrying out these purposes, the RERC must coordinate on
activities of mutual interest with the RERCs on Information Technology
Access, Telerehabilitation, Hearing Enhancement, Blindness and Low
Vision, and Universal Design and the Built Environment.
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.htm
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 toll free 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.
[[Page 2733]]
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR Part 350.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133B,
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and 84.133E,
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers)
Dated: January 11, 1999.
Curtis L. Richards,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
[FR Doc. 99-897 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
