[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16905]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 13, 1994]
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Part III
Department of Education
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Notices of Fund Availability and Inviting Applications for a New Award
Under the Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization Program
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of a final funding priority for fiscal year 1994-1995
for the Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization Program.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary announces a funding priority for the Knowledge
Dissemination and Utilization (D&U) Program under the National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) for fiscal
years 1994-1995. The Secretary takes this action to ensure that
rehabilitation knowledge generated from projects and centers funded by
NIDRR and others is utilized fully to improve the lives of individuals
with disabilities and their families.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority take effect either 45 days after
publication in the Federal Register or later if Congress takes certain
adjournments. If you want to know the effective date of this priority,
call or write the Department of Education contact person.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betty Jo Berland. Telephone: (202)
205-9739. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-5516.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains a priority for a
project to support the international exchange of information and
experts.
Authority for the D&U program is contained in sections 202 and
204(a) and 204(b)(6) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29
U.S.C. 760-762). Under this program the Secretary makes awards to
public and private organizations, including institutions of higher
education and Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
This priority supports the National Education Goal that calls for
all Americans to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete
in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship.
Under the regulations for this program (see 34 CFR 355.32), the
Secretary may establish research priorities by reserving funds to
support particular research activities.
NIDRR is in the process of developing a revised long-range plan.
The priority in this notice is consistent with the long-range planning
process.
On May 16, 1994 the Secretary published a notice of proposed
priorities in the Federal Register at (59 FR 25528). The Department of
Education received 12 letters commenting on the proposed priorities.
Modifications were made to the priorities as a result of those
comments. The comments, and the Secretary's responses to them, are
discussed in an appendix to this notice.
Note: This notice of final priorities does not solicit
applications. A notice inviting applications under this competition
is published in a separate notice in this issue of the Federal
Register.
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 program only applications
that meet this absolute priority:
Priority: International Exchange of Information and Experts
Background
Since 1973, NIDRR has had statutory authority to conduct
international research and development and to exchange rehabilitation
and special education experts with other nations. International
research and development activities significantly can change the
perspectives of service providers and researchers, provide data for the
evaluation of domestic programs, and offer new insights and new
practices that can solve some of the old rehabilitation problems.
Learning about the technical and cultural aspects of other countries'
rehabilitation practices may assist U.S. rehabilitation practioners to
improve the effectiveness of the services they provide, especially for
minority and immigrant populations.
In the past, NIDRR approached international activities in two ways.
NIDRR funded two projects to facilitate fellowships of non-governmental
experts to other countries to gather data on practices, legislation,
and policy. NIDRR also engaged in international activities on a
government-to-government basis, participating in international policy
and data generation through international organizations such as the
U.N., Federal agencies such as the Department of State and the Peace
Corps, direct grants to foreign research agencies, participation in
foreign research consortia and conferences, and facilitation of site
visits and study tours for foreign visitors.
In order to enhance the impact of international activities on the
U.S. rehabilitation field, NIDRR now seeks to fund a single project
that will facilitate the exchange of both domestic and foreign experts
in rehabilitation research and technical assistance; facilitate
international conferences; disseminate useful information to
rehabilitation personnel and researchers, independent living centers,
and families; assist in relevant site visitations by foreign government
officials; and develop training modules that increase participation in
international activities by rehabilitation practitioners, policymakers,
and individuals with disabilities.
Priority
A project on the international exchange of information and experts
shall--
Gather information on international rehabilitation issues,
legislation, and programs, and maintain a database of such information
that is available to relevant research projects and training projects,
including those supported by NIDRR, the Office of Special Education
Programs (OSEP), and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA);
Include individuals with disabilities to the maximum
extent possible in all project activities;
Facilitate small annual conferences to explore
international issues or to share rehabilitation information and data
with other governments;
Assist foreign and domestic professionals or consumers to
plan trips by identifying potential sites and contact persons at each
site;
Establish an international exchange of research and
technical assistance experts between foreign nations and the U.S.;
Share information with other Federal government agencies
in order to assist them in the development of their research priorities
in the area of disability;
Publish and disseminate data and information to relevant
target audiences on relevant policy issues and legislation, which are
identified in conjunction with NIDRR;
Develop training activities and materials to sensitize
rehabilitation personnel, including special education personnel, to
cultural differences that can affect rehabilitation needs and
approaches; and
Develop training activities and materials on comparative
research techniques, bilateral consultation and technical assistance,
utilizing the different international and cultural perspectives.
APPLICABLE PROGRAM REGULATIONS: 34 CFR Parts 350 and 355. Program
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133D, Knowledge
Dissemination and Utilization Program)
Dated: June 7, 1994.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix--Analysis of Comments and Changes
The Department received 12 letters in response to the Notice of
Proposed Priority. This Appendix contains an analysis of the comments
and of the changes in the priority since the publication of the Notice
of Proposed Priority. The Appendix does not address technical changes,
suggested changes the Secretary is not legally authorized to make under
applicable statutory authority, and comments that are outside the scope
of the proposed priority such as the size of the award, the length of
the project period, or the number of projects that will be awarded.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the project research
employment systems in the other countries.
Discussion: The Secretary believes that applicants may propose to
address employment systems that are related to rehabilitation issues,
legislation, and programs. The Secretary believes that applicants
should be given the discretion to propose issues that the project will
address.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the project should work in
collaboration with other countries.
Discussion: The Secretary agrees and points out that the priority
requires the project to ``Establish an international exchange of
research and technical assistance experts between foreign nations and
the U.S.'' The Secretary does not believe any further requirements are
necessary.
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters observed that the requirement to maintain
a library was a significant expense that would consume a
disproportionate amount of the project's resources. The commenters
suggested requiring that the project maintain a database instead of a
library.
Discussion: The Secretary agrees that maintaining a library may be
beyond the resources available to the project. The Secretary also
agrees with the suggestion to require the project to maintain a
database instead of a library.
Changes: The project is required to maintain a database instead of
a library.
Comment: Two commenters suggested that the project's various
activities address policy as well as programmatic issues.
Discussion: The Secretary believes that the priority provides the
project with the authority to address policy and programmatic issues.
The Secretary does not believe that any further requirements are
necessary.
Changes: None.
Comment: Two commenters observed that the requirement to ``Assist
both foreign and domestic professionals or consumers to plan trips * *
* through the development and listing of potential sites'' was a
significant expense that would consume a disproportional amount of the
project's resources.
Discussion: The Secretary believes that the requirement to develop
(emphasis added) and list potential sites may be interpreted to require
the project to undertake activities that are beyond the resources that
will be available to the project. The Secretary believes that the
project should assist professionals and consumers to plan trips by
identifying potential sites and contact persons at each site.
Changes: The project is required to assist foreign and domestic
professionals or consumers to plan trips by identifying potential sites
and contact persons at each site.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the priority be revised to
require that the majority of people who are exchanged be individuals
with disabilities. A second commenter observed that project activities
that are directed by individuals with disabilities are the most
effective.
Discussion: The Secretary believes that the project should include
individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible in all
aspects of the project.
Changes: The priority has been revised to require that the project
include individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible in
all project activities.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the project provide training
to mainstream international educational exchange programs on equalizing
opportunities for young persons with disabilities to participate in
existing international educational opportunities.
Discussion: The Secretary recognizes the need to increase
opportunities for young persons with disabilities to participate in
existing international educational opportunities. However, the
Secretary believes that such an activity is outside the scope of the
priority.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the international exchange of
experts and technical assistance should address skills needed for
creating policy and writing and passing legislation.
Discussion: The Secretary believes that the priority authorizes an
applicant to address creating policy and writing and passing
legislation that bears upon rehabilitation issues. The Secretary does
not believe that any further requirements are necessary.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that special emphasis should be
given to activities that teach technical skills and provide employment
opportunities for individuals with disabilities and that produce
assistive technology that will improve access for individuals with
disabilities. The commenter also suggested that special emphasis should
be given to leadership training activities for individuals with
disabilities and to women with disabilities in exchanges of information
and expertise.
Discussion: The Secretary believes that the areas of special
emphasis suggested by the commenter are authorized by the priority.
However, the Secretary believes that applicants should have the
discretion to propose a special emphasis on one or more selected
issues.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested revising the priority to clarify
whether the primary purpose of the project is to acquire knowledge
which can be applied to the U.S., and not to disseminate knowledge from
the U.S. to other countries.
Discussion: The Secretary points out that the Background statement
indicates that the purpose of this project is to ``assist U.S.
rehabilitation practioners to improve the effectiveness of the services
they provide * * *'' and ``enhance the impact of international
activities on the rehabilitation field.'' The Secretary agrees there is
a need to clarify that the reference to the rehabilitation field is to
the U.S.
Changes: The Background statement has been revised to clarify that
the purpose of the project is to enhance the impact of international
activities on the U.S. rehabilitation field.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the project should use the
potential for continued relationships at the institutional level as a
criterion for selecting individuals for an exchange. The same commenter
suggested that ``provision should be made'' for funding joint projects
of mutual benefit to U.S. and foreign institutions, ``taking advantage
of previous contacts made through earlier study visits.''
Discussion: The Secretary believes that on-going relationships at
the institutional level and joint projects would be desirable outcomes.
However, the Secretary believes that applicants should be given the
discretion to propose the process and the criteria that will be used to
select projects and individuals for an exchange.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested revising the priority to encourage
``greater integration of the international program with NIDRR's
domestic program.''
Discussion: The Secretary believes that the project should make its
database available to domestic research projects and training projects,
including those supported by NIDRR, OSEP, and RSA.
Changes: The priority has been revised to require the project to
make its database on international rehabilitation issues, legislation,
and programs available to relevant research projects and training
projects, including those supported by NIDRR, the Office of Special
Education Programs (OSEP), and the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA).
[FR Doc. 94-16905 Filed 7-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
