[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15203-15208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8196]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. 93631-98-01]


Developmental Disabilities: Request for Public Comments on 
Proposed Developmental Disabilities Funding Priorities for Projects of 
National Significance for Fiscal Year 1998

AGENCY: Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments on developmental 
disabilities tentative funding priority for Projects of National 
Significance for Fiscal Year 1998.

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SUMMARY: The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) 
announced that public comments are

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being requested on tentative funding priorities for Fiscal Year 1998 
Projects of National Significance prior to being announced in its final 
form.
    We welcome comments and suggestions on this proposed announcement 
and funding priority which will assist in bringing about the increased 
independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the 
community of individuals with developmental disabilities.

DATES: The closing date for submission of comments is May 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Reginald F. Wells, Ph.D., Acting 
Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, 
Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and 
Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20447.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF), Pat Laird, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20447, 202/690-7447.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This announcement consists of two parts:

Part I

Background

A. Goals of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities
    The Administration on Developmental Disabilities is located within 
the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and 
Human Services (DHHS). Although different from the other ACF program 
administrations in the specific constituency it serves, ADD shares a 
common set of goals that promote the economic and social well-being of 
families, children, individuals and communities. Through national 
leadership, we see:
     Families and individuals empowered to increase their own 
economic independence and productivity;
     Strong, healthy, supportive communities having a positive 
impact on the quality of life and the development of children;
     Partnerships with individuals, front-line service 
providers, communities, States and Congress that enable solutions which 
transcend traditional agency boundaries;
     Services planned and integrated to improve client access; 
and
     A strong commitment to working with Native Americans, 
individuals with developmental disabilities, refugees and migrants to 
address their needs, strengths and abilities.
    Emphasis on these goals and progress toward them will help more 
individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, to live 
productive and independent lives integrated into their communities. The 
Projects of National Significance Program is one means through which 
ADD promotes the achievement of these goals.
    Two issues are of particular concern with these projects. First, 
there is a pressing need for networking and cooperation among 
specialized and categorical programs, particularly at the service 
delivery level, to ensure continuation of coordinated services to 
people with developmental disabilities. Second, project findings and 
successful innovative models of projects need to be made available 
nationally to policy makers as well as to direct service providers.
B. Purpose of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities
    The Administration on Developmental Disabilities is the lead agency 
within ACF and DHHS responsible for planning and administering programs 
which promote the self-sufficiency and protect the rights of 
individuals with developmental disabilities.
    The 1996 Amendments (Pub. L. 104-183) to the Developmental 
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6000 et seq.) 
(the Act) supports and provides assistance to States and public and 
private nonprofit agencies and organizations to assure that individuals 
with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the 
design of and have access to culturally competent services, supports, 
and other assistance and opportunities that promote independence, 
productivity and integration and inclusion into the community.
    The Act points out that:
     Disability is a natural part of the human experience that 
does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental 
disabilities to enjoy the opportunity for independence, productivity 
and inclusion into the community;
     Individuals whose disabilities occur during their 
developmental period frequently have severe disabilities that are 
likely to continue indefinitely;
     Individuals with developmental disabilities often require 
lifelong specialized services and assistance, provided in a coordinated 
and culturally competent manner by many agencies, professionals, 
advocates, community representatives, and others to eliminate barriers 
and to meet the needs of such individuals and their families;
    The Act further finds that:
     Individuals with developmental disabilities, including 
those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of 
achieving independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion 
into the community, and often require the provision of services, 
supports and other assistance to achieve such;
     Individuals with developmental disabilities have 
competencies, capabilities and personal goals that should be 
recognized, supported, and encouraged, and any assistance to such 
individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent 
with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, 
and capabilities of the individual;
     Individuals with developmental disabilities and their 
families are the primary decision makers regarding the services and 
supports such individuals and their families receive; and play decision 
making roles in policies and programs that affect the lives of such 
individuals and their families; and
     It is in the nation's interest for individuals with 
developmental disabilities to be employed, and to live conventional and 
independent lives as a part of families and communities.
    Toward these ends, ADD seeks to enhance the capabilities of 
families in assisting individuals with developmental disabilities to 
achieve their maximum potential, to support the increasing ability of 
individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise greater choice 
and self-determination, to engage in leadership activities in their 
communities, as well as to ensure the protection of their legal and 
human rights.
    Programs funded under the Act are:
     Federal assistance to State developmental disabilities 
councils;
     State system for the protection and advocacy of individual 
rights;
     Grants to university affiliated programs for 
interdisciplinary training, exemplary services, technical assistance, 
and information dissemination; and
     Grants for Projects of National Significance.

C. Description of Projects of National Significance

    Under Part E of the Act, demonstration grants and contracts are 
awarded for projects of national significance that support the 
development of national and State

[[Page 15205]]

policy to enhance the independence, productivity, and integration and 
inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities through:
     Data collection and analysis;
     Technical assistance to enhance the quality of State 
developmental disabilities councils, protection and advocacy systems, 
and university affiliated programs; and
     Other projects of sufficient size and scope that hold 
promise to expand or improve opportunities for individuals with 
developmental disabilities, including:

--technical assistance for the development of information and referral 
systems;
--educating policy makers;
--Federal interagency initiatives;
--the enhancement of participation of racial and ethnic minorities in 
public and private sector initiatives in developmental disabilities;
--transition of youth with developmental disabilities from school to 
adult life; and

    Section 162(d) of the Act requires that ADD publish in the Federal 
Register proposed priorities for grants and contracts to carry out 
Projects of National Significance. The Act also requires a period of 60 
days for public comment concerning such proposed priorities. After 
analyzing and considering such comments, ADD must publish in the 
Federal Register final priorities for such grants and contracts, and 
solicit applications for funding based on the final priorities 
selected.
    The following section presents the proposed priority areas for 
Fiscal Year 1998 Projects of National Significance. We welcome comments 
and suggestions. We would also like to receive suggestions on topics 
which are timely and relate to needs in the developmental disabilities 
field.
    Please be aware that the development of the final funding priority 
is based on the public comment response to this notice, current agency 
and Departmental priorities, needs in the field of developmental 
disabilities and the developmental disabilities network, etc., as well 
as the availability of funds for this fiscal year.

Part II

Fiscal Year 1998 Proposed Priority Areas for Projects of National 
Significance
    ADD is interested in all comments and recommendations which address 
areas of existing or evolving national significance related to the 
field of developmental disabilities.
    ADD also solicits recommendations for project activities which will 
advocate for public policy change and community acceptance of all 
individuals with developmental disabilities and families so that such 
individuals receive the culturally competent services, supports, and 
other assistance and opportunities necessary to enable them to achieve 
their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, 
and integration into the community.
    ADD is also interested in activities which promote the inclusion of 
all individuals with developmental disabilities, including individuals 
with the most severe disabilities, in community life; which promote the 
interdependent activity of all individuals with developmental 
disabilities and individuals who are not disabled; and which recognize 
the contributions of these individuals (whether they have a disability 
or not), as such individuals share their talents at home, school, and 
work, and in recreation and leisure time.
    No proposals, concept papers or other forms of applications should 
be submitted at this time. Any such submission will be discarded.
    ADD will not respond to individual comment letters. However, all 
comments will be considered in preparing the final funding solicitation 
announcement and will be acknowledged and addressed in that 
announcement.
    Please be reminded that, because of possible funding limitations, 
the proposed priority areas listed below may not be published in a 
final funding solicitation for this fiscal year.
    Comments should be addressed to: Reginald F. Wells, Ph.D, Acting 
Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, 
Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and 
Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20447.
Proposed Fiscal Year 1998 Priority Area 1: Unequal Protection Under the 
Law, Invisible Victims of Crime--Individuals with Developmental 
Disabilities
    With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) many 
people in the disability community thought it would bring equality 
under the law: a final fulfillment of their constitutional rights. 
However, individuals with a developmental disability who are victims of 
a crime often find the criminal justice system to be less than fair; 
and to make matters worse the community services meant to assist 
victims of crime are ill-prepared to meet their needs.
    Persons with developmental disabilities have a significantly higher 
risk of becoming crime victims than non-disabled persons. Differences 
in victimization rates are most pronounced for the crimes of sexual 
assault and robbery. There is also a high probability of repeat 
victimization, because over time those who victimize individuals with 
disabilities come to regard them as easy prey--where crimes can be 
committed against them with little chance of detection or punishment.
    A recent analysis combining these victimization probabilities with 
data from the U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey estimates that 
roughly 5 million serious crimes are committed against persons with 
developmental disabilities in the U.S. each year.
    Research shows that offenders seek victims with disabilities 
specifically because they are considered to be vulnerable and unable to 
seek help or report the crime. More than half of the crimes committed 
against victims with developmental disabilities are never reported to 
justice authorities, and when they are reported, they are often handled 
administratively rather than through criminal prosecution. 
Administrative actions such as licensing sanctions against a group home 
or the firing of the suspect are common. Such administrative sanctions 
represent a separate and unequal ``justice'' system.
    When crimes are reported, there are lower rates of police follow-
up, prosecution and convictions. When convictions occur, studies show 
that sentences for crimes committed against individuals with 
disabilities are lighter, particularly for sexual assault. Possible 
explanations offered for this are the difficulty of investigating these 
cases, lack of special police training, no provision of reasonable 
accommodations, and the negative stereotype held toward people with 
developmental disabilities.
    The Americans with Disabilities Act is a significant tool that can 
address these extreme disparities in the treatment of people with 
developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system. Congress 
clearly intended the ADA to remove barriers to effective participation 
in all aspects of American society including the justice system. Title 
II, Part A of the ADA states that ``no otherwise qualified individual 
with a disability shall, by reason of such a disability, be excluded 
from participation in or denied the benefits of the services, programs 
or activities of a public entity, or subjected to discrimination by any 
such entity.'' ``Public entity'' encompasses all police,

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probation and law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and 
state and local court systems. Agents of the criminal justice system 
have a responsibility and obligation to ensure that they do not treat 
persons with disabilities in a discriminatory manner. However, many of 
these agents or ``public entities'' are unsure of the application of 
ADA to them and/or how to make accommodations for people with physical 
and mental disabilities. Law enforcement agencies and other entities in 
the criminal justice system are not alone in their ignorance of their 
responsibilities under ADA. Many of the victim assistance services 
programs do not realize their obligations under ADA, thus placing 
persons with developmental disabilities at a greater risk of harm.
    Clearly, more extensive collaboration between the disability 
community and the criminal justice system is needed to facilitate equal 
justice for all citizens. ADD would be interested in collaborative 
projects involving training and education. These two components are 
critical to the elimination of physical and attitudinal barriers 
experienced by people with developmental disabilities when they 
encounter the criminal justice system as victims of crime. Existing 
curricula need to be tested and further developed; inclusionary methods 
must be shared. New networks need to be created at the local, state, 
and national levels allowing for the dissemination of information.
    The enormity of this issue will go unknown until there is national 
data collected on the victimization of people with developmental 
disabilities. The National Victims Survey collects no data on this 
population. Research must be conducted identifying the barriers to 
services. Key to this research would be explanations for why this 
injustice has continued; what constitutes violence/abuse/neglect in the 
context of disability; and are the situations for people with 
disabilities different from the situations in the general population.
    ADD would consider projects addressing these areas of concern with 
the outcome of a criminal justice system that treats its citizens with 
developmental and other disabilities with equality.
Proposed Fiscal Year 1998 Priority Area 2: Domestic Violence and Women 
with Developmental Disabilities--The Hidden Violence
    In a special report, ``Violence Against Women: Estimates from the 
Redesigned Survey'', which presented 1995 data from the National Crime 
Victimization Survey, it was reported that women were attacked about 
six times more often by offenders with whom they had an intimate 
relationship than were male violence victims during 1992 and 1993. 
During each year women were the victims of more than 4.5 million 
violent crimes, including approximately 500,000 rapes or other sexual 
assaults. Women from 19-29 years of age were more likely than women of 
other ages to be victimized by an intimate party. Women of all races 
were about equally vulnerable to attacks. However, women in families 
with incomes below $10,000 per year were more likely than other women 
to be violently attacked.
    Persons with developmental disabilities have a 4 to 10 times higher 
risk of becoming crime victims than non-disabled persons. Differences 
in victimization rates are pronounced for the crime of sexual assault.
    The rates of sexual assault on this population is very alarming. 
One study found that 83% of women and 32% of men with developmental 
disabilities in their sample had been sexually assaulted. Other studies 
have found from 86%-91% of women in their samples had been sexually 
assaulted. Another study found that of those who were sexually 
assaulted, 50% had been assaulted 10 or more times.
    One of the few studies conducted specifically on the prevalence of 
abuse among women with disabilities, found little difference in the 
occurrence of abuse in comparison with non-disabled women. However, it 
found that women with disabilities may be at greater risk of abuse from 
health care providers or caregivers. Another difference identified was 
that the duration of the abuse experienced was longer than for women 
without disabilities. The reason suggested for this duration finding 
was that interventions available to non-disabled women may not be 
available or accessible to women with physical disabilities. Other 
reasons included a feeling of powerlessness to escape, lack of 
opportunity to report the abuse, or dependency on their caregiver. 
Another recent study confirmed these barriers to services plus 
additional ones and offered recommendations for their elimination.
    For the first time in our nation's history we are finally dealing 
with the issue of domestic violence at a national level. The 1994 Crime 
Act contains the landmark Violence Against Women Act. Implementation of 
its provisions are under the control of the Violence Against Women 
Office at the U.S. Department of Justice. Not only does this office 
provide funding for various programs under the Act but it houses the 
Advisory Council on Violence Against Women and operates the Domestic 
Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE, TDD 1-800-787-3224).
    Although women with disabilities are at higher risk for all types 
of violence, there are no dedicated resources being devoted on a 
Federal level to decrease or eliminate the violence experienced by 
these women. The U.S. Department of Justice has just begun to consider 
people with disabilities in general as targets of violence in regard to 
hate crimes and victim's assistance.
    Projects are needed that would partner programs within the criminal 
justice system with domestic violence service programs to develop 
strategies and training for assisting women with developmental and 
other significant disabilities. Public awareness programs must be 
developed sensitizing communities about the violence experienced by 
these women. Data collection programs should include data specifically 
on the prevalence of violence against women with disabilities and the 
types of services and supports they require to overcome their 
victimization. The active involvement of women with disabilities in 
policy making and service provision at the local, state and Federal 
levels must be a significant effort of such projects. The results of 
these types of activities should be the full inclusion of women with 
disabilities in funding streams and criminal justice strategies as 
administered by local, state and Federal governments.
Proposed Fiscal Year 1998 Priority Area 3: Healthy Lifestyles and 
Recreation--Factors Contributing Towards A Quality of Life for Persons 
With Developmental Disabilities
    As more and more people with disabilities in general are having 
increased life spans due to advancements in medical technologies and 
innovative scientific research attention must be given toward healthy 
lifestyles and methods to reduce the effects of aging with a 
disability. Americans with disabilities strive for equal access to 
opportunities and programs and services that enable them to experience 
a quality lifestyle comparable to other Americans and to maintain their 
independence and function. As some individuals with certain 
disabilities have experienced physical weaknesses, loss of function, 
and pain, it has raised questions about what constitutes optimal levels 
of physical activity or exercise, dietary requirements, and therapies 
that are helpful in sustaining their standard of life.

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    A recent ADD report, ``Aging and Cerebral Palsy: The Critical 
Needs'', based on a roundtable meeting, articles, research papers, and 
other publications summarized the major issues of concern of people 
with cerebral palsy. Some of the issues expressed were related to (1) 
exercise--inability to determine what type of exercise(s) is best 
suited to maintain cardio-pulmonary conditioning, physical strength, 
bone density, coordination, joint mobility and weight control; (2) 
women's issues--inability to find accurate information and competent 
medical care (including counseling) when they were younger such as 
reproductive health care and as they are aging on menopause; (3) 
quality of medical care--few medical professionals, especially 
dentists, are familiar with cerebral palsy making it difficult to 
obtain treatment; (4) emotional and psychological issues--the aging 
process begins early as overstressed muscles and joints wear out 
relatively quickly, and people in their 30s and 40s are often ill-
equipped to deal with problems that their peers will often not 
encounter for two more decades; and (5) managed care--these 
organizations have a mixed history of providing appropriate and timely 
services to individuals with disabilities, have many financial 
incentives that may not be congruent with the needs of individuals with 
disabilities or the philosophy of the disability rights movement, and 
long-term supports and services may be at particular risk in a managed 
care environment. Some of these issues are transferable to other types 
of disabilities. For instance, in one study on breast and cervical 
cancer screening it was reported that women with disabilities tend to 
be less likely than women without disabilities to receive pelvic exams 
on a regular basis, and women with more severe functional limitations 
are significantly less likely to do so. Women with physical 
disabilities are at a higher risk for delayed diagnosis of breast and 
cervical cancer, primarily for reasons of environmental, attitudinal, 
and information barriers. There are few studies on women with mental 
retardation or other cognitive disabilities.
    At this time there is little research that can provide answers to 
these questions. Yet the concerns cannot be ignored. There are an 
estimated 54 million people with a disability within the United States, 
almost half of whom are considered to have a severe disability. An 
estimated 4% age 5 and over need personal assistance with one or more 
activities; over 5.8 million people need assistance in instrumental 
activities of daily living (IADL), while 3.4 million need assistance in 
``activities of daily living'' (ADL). As one ages, activity limitations 
increase along with the need for assistance. Reviewing this data from a 
purely economic standpoint it makes sense to dedicate some resources to 
the prevention or alleviation of regressive symptoms that prevent 
individuals with developmental and other disabilities from functioning 
at their maximum level.
    ADD would support projects that facilitate working partnerships 
between people representing the issue of consumers, research 
foundations, physical education/recreation fields, sports/athletic 
associations, health care organizations, and others such as aging to 
develop and test guidelines for exercise regimens, examine alternative 
forms of medicine, foster training programs for health professionals, 
coordinate and disseminate consumer education materials, promote model 
programs plus other activities that would lead to factors or indicators 
of a quality life.
    Serious consideration should be given to how the promotion of 
``wellness'' or ``staying healthy'' for people with developmental and 
other significant disabilities supports choice of lifestyle that 
coincides with the philosophy of self-determination. Specialized sports 
equipment has been designed for use by serious athletes with 
disabilities, but little information and equipment exists for those 
people with disabilities who are non-athletes and want to exercise or 
play. And how can this information be incorporated into generic fitness 
centers.
Proposed Fiscal Year 1998 Priority Area 4: Promoting Future 
Partnerships By Minority Institutions and Consumer Organizations With 
ADD Through Participation in the Projects of National Significance
    ``People with disabilities have always been excluded from the 
bounty of our nation's resources. Minorities with disabilities, in 
particular, have been the most disenfranchised of the disenfranchised. 
It is time we bring them into the fold as full, first-class 
participants in our society.'' (Hon. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, National 
Rainbow Coalition).
    A 1993 report from the National Council on Disability (NCD), 
``Meeting the Unique Needs of Minorities with Disabilities'', 
reinforces this statement. After convening a national conference and a 
public hearing, NCD found that ``Persons with disabilities who are also 
members of minorities face double discrimination and a double 
disadvantage in our society. They are more likely to be poor and 
undereducated and to have fewer opportunities than other members of the 
population.''
    The 1990 Census confirmed America's rapidly changing racial 
profile. According to the census data there are 30 million African 
Americans (an increase of 13.2% since 1980); 22.4 million Hispanic 
Americans (an increase of 53%); 7.3 million Asian Americans (an 
increase of 107.8%); and 2.0 million Native Americans (an increase of 
37.9%). In comparison, the European American population grew only 6.0% 
since 1980. By the year 2000, the nation will have 260 million people, 
one of every three of whom will be either African-American, Latino, or 
Asian-American.
    As a result of factors such as poverty, unemployment, and poor 
health status, persons of minority backgrounds are at high risk of 
disability. Based largely on population projections and substantial 
anecdotal evidence, it is clear that the number of persons from these 
minority populations who have disabilities is increasing. Moreover, 
based on similar projections, the proportion of minority populations 
with disabling conditions will probably increase at even faster rates 
than that of the general population.
    ADD is determined to build the knowledge and capacity of the 
organizations and institutions having majority representation of people 
from diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds and/or disabilities. In the 
future, ADD should receive applications that reflect the experiences 
and perceptions and needs of those diverse populations. To achieve this 
goal ADD would consider projects that provide training and technical 
assistance on the grants development process, including developing the 
financial and managerial capacity to administer a grant; identify and 
facilitate a network of such organizations or institutions; prepare and 
disseminate necessary materials; and utilize existing resources. ADD 
also would support projects that form coalitions of consumer and 
minority organizations to jointly address this effort.
Proposed Fiscal Year 1998 Priority Area 5: Girl Power! Moving From 
Despair to Empowerment of Girls with Developmental Disabilities
    Unwanted and unplanned teenage pregnancies present a myriad of 
problems to society, to young parents, and their children. For young 
mothers who live below the poverty level, as most teenage mothers do, 
economic

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problems are exacerbated by unplanned births. For teenage girls with 
disabilities, unplanned births compound problems of disability, 
poverty, and isolation.
    Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies continue to be one of the most 
prevalent problems of our society, involving social, economic, health, 
and education issues. When unmarried teenagers become parents, they are 
unlikely to graduate from high school, their career options are usually 
decreased, and they often require more community services.
    Both teenage mothers and their babies are likely to have greater 
health problems than non-teenage mothers and their children. Babies 
born to teenagers are often low birth weight. Low birth weight babies 
can increase the likelihood of certain disabilities. Teenage girls who 
have unplanned pregnancies often do not have strong academic 
backgrounds, sophisticated coping skills, or confidence to believe that 
they can influence their futures.
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation reports that there are 
approximately 200,000 births a year to girls age 17 and younger. 
According to the ``National Campaign to Prevent Teen-age Pregnancy'', 
approximately four out of ten girls in the United States becomes 
pregnant at least once before the age of 20. Teenage pregnancy is not a 
new problem nor considered a problem in some cultures.
    However, today in the U.S. most careers depend on knowledge of 
technology as well as basic skills, and most young women discontinue 
their educations when they have unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.
    Teachers, parents, and community leaders are aware of the 
importance of a wide range of developmental experiences for young 
people. However, young women and young people with disabilities 
continue to experience isolation, fewer opportunities, and lower 
expectations from their families and communities. Young women with 
disabilities are especially likely to be denied, in subtle but 
significant ways, the experiences that provide them with the tools for 
self-determination. This very point is raised in the ``Report from the 
National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students. 
It was found that female 12th-graders with disabilities were much less 
likely than males to have competitive employment as their postschool 
goal, a pattern that reflects in their postschool reality. Despite 
higher academic performance while in school, young women with 
disabilities were just as likely as young men to drop out of school, 
and almost 25% did so because of pregnancy or childrearing 
responsibilities. Within 3 to 5 years after high school, 30% of young 
women with disabilities were married and 41% were mothers, a rate that 
was significantly higher than the reported parenting rate for young men 
with disabilities (16%) or for young women of the same age in the 
general population (26%). This raises significant questions about the 
frequency with which these young women were mothers in their early 
years after leaving school and why other options such as further 
schooling or employment were not pursued. School programs chosen by or 
provided to many young women with disabilities support a postschool 
path involving home and child care more likely than postsecondary 
education or employment.
    Some studies have shown that people with disabilities and 
particularly women with disabilities are more likely to be targets of 
crime and/or abuse. In addition, women with low self-esteem are more 
vulnerable to relationships that lead to unplanned and unwanted 
pregnancies.
    The Administration on Developmental Disabilities is proposing 
demonstration projects to address the multiplicity of issues involved 
with pregnancies among teenagers with developmental and other 
disabilities. These projects should be collaborative efforts by 
disability groups, and family planning organizations, and any other 
public and private community agencies that are addressing this issue. 
Mentoring models using women with disabilities need to be developed.

(Federal Catalog of Domestic Assistance Number 93.631--Developmental 
Disabilities--Projects of National Significance)

    Dated: March 17, 1998.
Reginald F. Wells,
Acting Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
[FR Doc. 98-8196 Filed 3-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P