[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]
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