[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 153 (Friday, August 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42743-42744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21000]


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COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED


Proposed Collections and Comment Request for Surveys in the 
Benefit/Cost Analysis of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program

AGENCY: Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely 
Disabled.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment on proposed collections of 
information.

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SUMMARY: The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or 
Severely Disabled (the Committee) is inviting public comment on 
proposed collection of information requests to be submitted for 
approval by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The Committee 
is seeking public comment on three surveys being developed for the 
comprehensive Benefit/Cost Analysis of the JWOD Program. One request is 
for renewal with revisions of a survey for follow-up interviews with 
individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities employed on 
contracts authorized under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act. The 
other request is for approval of two related surveys of state and local 
private nonprofit agencies that participate in the JWOD Program or are 
affiliated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) or NISH.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests for copies of the proposed 
information collection instruments should be submitted to Sheryl 
Kennerly, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely 
Disabled, 1735 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 403, Arlington, VA 22202. 
Comments and requests may be submitted by electronic mail at: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheryl Kennerly, Committee for 
Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, 1735 Jefferson 
Davis Highway, Suite 403, Arlington, VA 22202, phone: 703-603-7740, 
fax: 703-412-7113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The JWOD Act prescribes that: ``The 
Committee shall make a continuing study and evaluation of its 
activities under this Act for the purpose of assuring effective and 
efficient administration of this Act. The Committee may study (on its 
own or in cooperation with other public or nonprofit private agencies) 
(1) problems related to the employment of the blind and of other 
severely handicapped individuals * * *'' (41 U.S.C. 47(e)).
    As part of the effort to evaluate its activities and study the 
employment of individuals who are blind or severely disabled, the 
Committee has initiated a comprehensive analysis of benefits and costs 
of the JWOD Program. The survey instruments included in the requests 
for OMB approval are required to collect data for determining the 
benefits and costs of the JWOD Program to individuals who are blind or 
have other severe disabilities, to the nonprofit agencies that employ 
these individuals, and to society in general, particularly taxpayers.
    The Committee specifically seeks public comment on these 
instruments to: (1) evaluate whether the proposed collections of 
information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the Committee; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the estimate of burden 
for the proposed collections of information; (3) enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (4) 
minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are 
to respond. Comments should reference the title of the survey to which 
they apply.
    Title: JWOD Employee Follow-Up Survey.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement with revisions.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Affected Public: Individuals who are blind or severely disabled and 
who participated in the baseline surveys for this study.
    Burden Estimate:
Responses: 611
Total Burden Hours: 391 hours
Average Burden per respondent: 38 minutes

    Abstract: The burden estimate above is based on actual use of the 
previously approved survey in baseline interviews with the same 
individuals who will participate in interviews using the revised 
follow-up survey. This estimate includes the average length of 
interviews in the baseline stage. Actual interview times vary between 
individuals depending on the type of disability. Individuals who 
responded to the baseline interviews have been informed of the intent 
and purpose of this survey and agreed to participate. The follow-up 
survey is being revised based on comments and issues identified during 
the baseline interviews.
    Title: Survey of JWOD Participating Agencies.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Affected Public: State and local nonprofit agencies (NPAs) that 
have been authorized to participate in the JWOD Program.
    Burden Estimate:
Responses: 624
Burden Hours: 624 Hours.

    The Committee is particularly interested in comments from the 
affected public on the accuracy of burden hours estimate and the fully-
loaded labor costs per hour for personnel who would be responding to 
this survey.
    Abstract: JWOD goods and services are provided through State and 
local nonprofit agencies (NPAs) that employ individuals who are blind 
or have other severe disabilities. In addition to the benefits that 
accrue to individuals employed on JWOD contracts, the study methodology 
identifies potential impacts on the NPAs that are measured by this 
survey: (1) increased or reduced non-JWOD sales; (2) induced or 
suppressed charitable donations; and, (3) shortfall or excess of JWOD 
product or service provision costs. Data will be requested for the year 
before the NPA began participating in the program and for the following 
five years for a before/after analysis.

    Title: Survey of Other Agencies Associated With National Industries 
for the Blind (NIB) or NISH.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Affected Public: State and local nonprofit agencies (NPA) that are 
associated with NIB or NISH, for the purpose of participating in the 
JWOD Program, but have not yet received authorization to provide a 
product or service under the JWOD Program.
    Burden Estimate:
Responses: 300
Burden Hours: 300 Hours.

    The Committee is particularly interested in comments from the 
affected public on the accuracy of burden hours estimate and the fully-
loaded labor costs per hour for personnel responding to this survey.
    Abstract: NPAs that are interested in participating in the JWOD 
Program must be associated with one of the central nonprofit agencies, 
NIB or NISH, designated by the Committee to

[[Page 42744]]

facilitate their participation in the program. NIB and NISH, 
predominantly NISH, have about 1,000 associated NPAs that are 
interested in participating in the JWOD Program but have not yet 
received authorization to provide a particular JWOD product or service. 
A sample of these organizations will receive a survey very similar to 
the one being used for JWOD-participating NPAs with some differences in 
questions. Data will be used as a comparison to augment analysis of 
impacts on JWOD-participating NPAs.

    Dated: August 5, 1997.
G. John Heyer,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 97-21000 Filed 8-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6353-01-P