[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 16, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42490-42491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20226]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Part 371

RIN 1820-AB32


Vocational Rehabilitation Service Projects for American Indians 
With Disabilities

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary announces a public meeting to discuss the 
proposed regulations published in the Federal Register for comment on 
July 27, 1995 (60 FR 38608) and to assist in the development of 
regulations implementing the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Projects 
for American Indians with Disabilities program.
    The purpose of the meeting is to allow interested parties an 
opportunity to review and discuss the proposed regulations, which 
implement section 130(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 
amended (the Act), to provide greater funding continuity for tribal 
projects that are performing effectively by extending the normal 36-
month project period for up to 24 additional months and to provide an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes to conform the 
purpose and outcome of the program, consistent with section 100(a)(2) 
of the Act, as revised by the 1992 Amendments, from placement in 
suitable employment to placement in gainful employment consistent with 
individual strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, capabilities, 
and informed choice.
    In addition, the meeting will provide an opportunity for public 
comment on whether additional changes are needed in existing program 
regulations in order to clarify requirements, reduce grantee burden, 
and increase program flexibility and effectiveness.

DATES: The public meeting is scheduled to be held from 8:00 a.m. to 
10:15 a.m. on August 30, 1995. Written comments must be submitted by 
September 11, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at The Red Lion Hotel, 300-112th 
Avenue, Bellevue, Washington. The meeting facilities and proceedings 
will be accessible to people with disabilities.

    Individuals participating in the meeting are requested to provide a 
written copy of their comments. Individuals who cannot attend the 
meeting are invited to send in written comments regarding the proposed 
regulations and on the other changes that may be needed that are 
identified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. 
Written comments should be addressed to Fredric K. Schroeder, 
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U. S. Department 
of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3028, Mary E. Switzer 
Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2531. Comments may also be sent 
through the internet to ``American--I[email protected]''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed regulations, which would 
implement section 130(b)(3) of the Act, would permit the granting, on a 
case-by-case basis, of extensions of up to 24 months to tribal projects 
that meet the requirements to be established in a new Sec. 371.5. The 
Secretary is interested in comments regarding this proposed new section 
and whether the standard for determining to grant extension--which 
considers compliance with program requirements, continuing need for the 
project, and project effectiveness--is an appropriate standard. In 
addition, the Secretary is particularly interested in whether other 
changes are needed in the program, such as changes in the requirements 
under Sec. 371.21 for complying with certain State Vocational 
Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program requirements. These requirements 
include developing individualized written rehabilitation programs for 
each individual receiving services, providing an opportunity for 
dissatisfied recipients to file grievances under procedures comparable 
to the fair hearing procedures required of State VR agencies, 
establishing minimum standards for providers of services comparable to 
those used by State VR agencies, and making an effort to provide a 
broad scope of VR services in a manner and at a level of quality 
comparable to the services provided by 

[[Page 42491]]
State VR agencies. Do these application requirements need to be 
clarified or revised in light of the changes made to the State VR 
Services Program by the 1992 Amendments to the Act or because these 
requirements may be burdensome or unfeasible for a tribal program, 
especially a developing one? In what ways should tribal projects be 
comparable to VR programs administered by State VR agencies, other than 
providing comparable rehabilitation services to the extent feasible as 
required by section 130(b)(1)(B) of the Act? Should Federal regulations 
establish additional comparability requirements or should tribal 
applicants be given the flexibility in their funding proposals to 
describe how their projects would or would not be comparable and the 
reasons therefor? The Secretary also is particularly interested in 
whether revisions are needed in the selection criteria for this program 
in Sec. 371.30 in order to better evaluate applications for funding. 
AVAILABILITY OF COPIES OF THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS: The proposed 
regulations can be accessed through the RSA Bulletin Board System (BBS) 
by calling the following access number: (202) 205-9694. If you 
experience any difficulty in accessing the BBS, please contact either 
John Chapman at (202) 205-9290 or Teresa Darter at (202) 205-8444, co-
system operators (sysops), for assistance. For those individuals unable 
to access the BBS, copies of the proposed regulations are available in 
regular print, large print, and computer diskette (WordPerfect 5.1 and 
ASCII formats) by calling (202) 205-9544. A limited number of copies in 
braille are also available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons desiring to participate in the 
meeting should contact Richard Corbridge, 915 Second Avenue, Room 2848, 
Seattle, Washington 98174-1099. Telephone (206) 220-7840. Individuals 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call (206) 
220-7849 for TDD services. Persons seeking additional information 
regarding the proposed regulations should contact Barbara Sweeney, 600 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3225, Mary E. Switzer Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20203-2531. Telephone (202) 205-9544. Individuals who 
wish additional information and use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through 
Friday.

(Authority: 29 U.S.C. 701)

    Dated: August 10, 1995.
Howard R. Moses,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 95-20226 Filed 8-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P