[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2730-2733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-897]



[[Page 2729]]

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Part III





Department of Education





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Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for Certain 
Centers; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 1999 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; 
Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for Certain 
Centers

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-
2000 for Certain Centers.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes funding priorities for one 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) and two 
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) under the National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) for fiscal 
years 1999-2000. The Secretary takes this action to focus research 
attention on areas of national need. These priorities are intended to 
improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with 
disabilities.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: All comments concerning these proposed priorities should be 
addressed to Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Maryland 
Avenue, S.W., room 3418, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2645. 
Comments may also be sent through the Internet: [email protected].
    You must include the term ``Research Centers'' in the subject line 
of your electronic message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 205-
5880. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-9136. Internet: 
Donna__N[email protected].
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding 
paragraph.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains proposed priorities 
under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers 
Program for one RRTC related to rehabilitation of persons with 
traumatic brain injury and two RERCs related to universal design and 
the built environment, and telecommunications access. There are 
references in the proposed priorities to NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (LRP). 
The LRP can be accessed on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ed.gov/
legislation/FedRegister/announcements/1998-4/102698a.html.
    These proposed priorities support the National Education Goal that 
calls for every adult American to possess the skills necessary to 
compete in a global economy.
    The authority for the Secretary to establish research priorities by 
reserving funds to support particular research activities is contained 
in sections 202(g) and 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 
amended (29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764).
    The Secretary will announce the final priorities in a notice in the 
Federal Register. The final priorities will be determined by responses 
to this notice, available funds, and other considerations of the 
Department. Funding of a particular project depends on the final 
priority, the availability of funds, and the quality of the 
applications received. The publication of these proposed priorities 
does not preclude the Secretary from proposing additional priorities, 
nor does it limit the Secretary to funding only these priorities, 
subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.

    Note: This notice of proposed priorities does not solicit 
applications. A notice inviting applications under this competition 
will be published in the Federal Register concurrent with or 
following the publication of the notice of final priorities.

Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

    Authority for the RRTC program of NIDRR is contained in section 
204(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 
764(b)(2)). Under this program the Secretary makes awards to public and 
private organizations, including institutions of higher education and 
Indian tribes or tribal organizations for coordinated research and 
training activities. These entities must be of sufficient size, scope, 
and quality to effectively carry out the activities of the Center in an 
efficient manner consistent with appropriate State and Federal laws. 
They must demonstrate the ability to carry out the training activities 
either directly or through another entity that can provide that 
training.
    The Secretary may make awards for up to 60 months through grants or 
cooperative agreements. The purpose of the awards is for planning and 
conducting research, training, demonstrations, and related activities 
leading to the development of methods, procedures, and devices that 
will benefit individuals with disabilities, especially those with the 
most severe disabilities.

Description of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

    RRTCs are operated in collaboration with institutions of higher 
education or providers of rehabilitation services or other appropriate 
services. RRTCs serve as centers of national excellence and national or 
regional resources for providers and individuals with disabilities and 
the parents, family members, guardians, advocates or authorized 
representatives of the individuals.
    RRTCs conduct coordinated, integrated, and advanced programs of 
research in rehabilitation targeted toward the production of new 
knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery 
systems, to alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, and to promote 
maximum social and economic independence of individuals with 
disabilities.
    RRTCs provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to assist individuals to more effectively provide 
rehabilitation services. They also provide training including graduate, 
pre-service, and in-service training, for rehabilitation research 
personnel and other rehabilitation personnel.
    RRTCs serve as informational and technical assistance resources to 
providers, individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family 
members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of these 
individuals through conferences, workshops, public education programs, 
in-service training programs and similar activities.
    RRTCs disseminate materials in alternate formats to ensure that 
they are accessible to individuals with a range of disabling 
conditions.
    NIDRR encourages all Centers to involve individuals with 
disabilities and individuals from minority backgrounds as recipients of 
research training, as well as clinical training.
    The Department is particularly interested in ensuring that the 
expenditure of public funds is justified by the execution of intended 
activities and the advancement of knowledge and, thus, has built this 
accountability into the selection criteria. Not later than three years 
after the establishment of any RRTC, NIDRR will conduct one or more 
reviews of the activities and achievements of the Center. In accordance 
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at 
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment.

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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 competition only applications 
that meet this absolute priority.

Proposed Priority 1: Rehabilitation of Persons With Traumatic Brain 
Injury (TBI)

Introduction
    Chapter Four of NIDRR's proposed Long-Range Plan (63 FR 57204) 
addresses research on trauma rehabilitation, including brain injury. A 
1998 draft National Institute of Health's Consensus Development 
Conference Statement on Rehabilitation of Persons with TBI identifies 
emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms of TBI that 
affect the individuals with TBI, family, friends, community, and 
society. The report raises important research issues related to 
children, the elderly, and persons who experience mild TBI symptoms.
    NIDRR has a long history of support for research on TBI that has 
focused primarily on adults with moderate and severe injuries. This 
RRTC will address the needs of all age groups including children and 
the elderly. In addition, the RRTC will expand its focus to include 
persons with mild TBI. For the purpose of this proposed priority, mild 
TBI is defined using the definition developed in 1991 by the Mild TBI 
Committee of the Head Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group 
of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine definition (see 
Esselman, P. and Uomoto, J., ``Classification of the Spectrum of Mild 
Traumatic Brain Injury,'' Brain Injury, Vol. 9, No. 4, pgs. 417-424, 
1995).
Proposed Priority
    The Secretary proposes to establish an RRTC for the purpose of 
developing interventions to improve the functional abilities and 
promote the independence of persons with TBI. The RRTC shall:
    (1) Develop and evaluate methodologies to assess the epidemiology 
and long term consequences of mild TBI and identify interventions for 
rehabilitation;
    (2) Develop and evaluate innovative methods of diagnosis and 
treatment of the medical, psychological, and neurobehavioral sequelae 
of TBI across all age groups;
    (3) Develop and evaluate innovative interventions to assist 
families;
    (4) Develop and test prognostic indicators of rehabilitation 
outcomes including early predictors of functional outcomes for all age 
groups;
    (5) Provide training on research methodology and applied research 
experience, and training on knowledge gained from the Center's research 
activities to persons with disabilities and their families, service 
providers, and other appropriate parties;
    (6) Develop and disseminate informational materials based on 
knowledge gained from the Center's research activities, and disseminate 
the materials to persons with disabilities, their representatives, 
service providers, and other interested parties;
    (7) Involve individuals with disabilities and, if appropriate, 
their representatives, in planning and implementing its research, 
training, and dissemination activities, and in evaluating the Center;
    (8) Conduct a state-of-the-science conference and publish a 
comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference. The 
report must be published in the fourth year of the grant; and
    (9) Coordinate with other entities carrying out related research or 
training activities including NIDRR's grantees on TBI.
Description of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
    RERCs carry out research or demonstration activities by:
    (a) Developing and disseminating innovative methods of applying 
advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and 
social knowledge to (1) solve rehabilitation problems and remove 
environmental barriers, and (2) study new or emerging technologies, 
products, or environments;
    (b) Demonstrating and disseminating (1) innovative models for the 
delivery of cost-effective rehabilitation technology services to rural 
and urban areas, and (2) other scientific research to assist in meeting 
the employment and independent living needs of individuals with severe 
disabilities; or
    (c) Facilitating service delivery systems change through (1) the 
development, evaluation, and dissemination of consumer-responsive and 
individual and family-centered innovative models for the delivery to 
both rural and urban areas of innovative cost-effective rehabilitation 
technology services, and (2) other scientific research to assist in 
meeting the employment and independent needs of individuals with severe 
disabilities.
    Each RERC must provide training opportunities to individuals, 
including individuals with disabilities, to become researchers of 
rehabilitation technology and practitioners of rehabilitation 
technology in conjunction with institutions of higher education and 
nonprofit organizations.
    The Department is particularly interested in ensuring that the 
expenditure of public funds is justified by the execution of intended 
activities and the advancement of knowledge and, thus, has built this 
accountability into the selection criteria. Not later than three years 
after the establishment of any RERC, NIDRR will conduct one or more 
reviews of the activities and achievements of the Center. In accordance 
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at 
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment.

Proposed General RERC Requirements

    The Secretary proposes that the following requirements apply to 
these RERCs pursuant to these absolute priorities unless noted 
otherwise. An applicant's proposal to fulfill these proposed 
requirements will be assessed using applicable selection criteria in 
the peer review process. The Secretary is interested in receiving 
comments on these proposed requirements:
    The RERC must have the capability to design, build, and test 
prototype devices and assist in the transfer of successful solutions to 
relevant production and service delivery settings. The RERC must 
evaluate the efficacy and safety of its new products, instrumentation, 
or assistive devices.
    The RERC must disseminate research results and other knowledge 
gained from the Center's research and development activities to persons 
with disabilities, their representatives, disability organizations, 
businesses, manufacturers, professional journals, service providers, 
and other interested parties.
    The RERC must develop and carry out utilization activities to 
successfully transfer all new and improved technologies developed by 
the RERC to the marketplace.
    The RERC must involve individuals with disabilities and, if 
appropriate, their representatives, in planning and implementing its 
research, development, training, and dissemination activities, and in 
evaluating the Center.
    The RERC must conduct a state-of-the-science conference and publish 
a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference. The 
report must be published in the fourth year of the grant.

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    The RERC must coordinate with other entities carrying out related 
research or training activities.

Priorities

    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), the Secretary proposes to give an 
absolute preference to applications that meet the following priorities. 
The Secretary proposes to fund under this competition only applications 
that meet one of these absolute priorities.

Proposed Priority 2: Universal Design and the Built Environment 
Introduction

    Chapter 5 of NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (63 FR 57207) discusses the 
importance of improving access to the built environment through 
universal design. Universal design is a process whereby environments 
and products are designed with built-in flexibility so they are usable 
by all people, regardless of age and ability, at no additional cost to 
the user. For the purpose of this priority, the built environment 
includes public and private buildings, houses, landscapes, and tools 
and objects of daily use (e.g., door openers, environmental control 
systems, and appliances).
    In order to create environments that are universal in nature, it is 
necessary to have a database of physical measurements of the human body 
(i.e., anthropometric data) that includes persons with disabilities. 
There is a need for more anthropometric data on persons with 
disabilities. A 1996 report from the U.S. Architectural and 
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) concluded that 
research was needed regarding how people with disabilities access 
toilet and bathing facilities. NIDRR expects this RERC to develop a 
prototype anthropometric database that can be used to create 
universally designed toileting facilities and adapted for the 
development of other anthropometric databases for persons with 
disabilities.
Proposed Priority
    The Secretary proposes to establish an RERC on universal design and 
the built environment to advance the field of universal design and 
improve the accessibility of the built environment. The RERC must:
    (1) Develop and evaluate universally designed plans and products 
for the built environment;
    (2) Develop a prototype anthropometric database, both static and 
dynamic, of persons with disabilities, including those who use manual 
or powered wheelchairs, to access and use toilet and bathing 
facilities;
    (3) Identify, develop and evaluate strategies for promoting 
adoption of universal design in the building and product manufacturing 
industries, and design and architecture curricula; and
    (4) Serve as a national information resource on universal design 
standards, plans, building products, funding sources, and performance 
evaluations for designers, builders and manufacturers.
    In carrying out these purposes, the RERC must coordinate on 
activities of mutual interest with the RERCs on Telecommunications 
Access and Information Technologies Access, and the Access Board.

Proposed Priority 3: Telecommunications Access

Introduction
    Chapter 5 of NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (63 FR 57207) discusses the 
importance of telecommunications accessibility and the need for 
continued research and development. For the purpose of this priority, 
telecommunications systems and products include, but are not limited 
to, wireless communication technologies, networks, multimedia 
conferencing systems, and software supporting these technologies, 
products, and systems.
    The RERC on Telecommunications Access faces the challenge of 
promoting access to a highly dynamic field. In order to keep pace with 
developments in the field, NIDRR expects this RERC to undertake its 
research and development activities in close collaboration with private 
industry as well as with public entities that regulate the 
telecommunications industry. NIDRR expects this RERC to contribute to 
improving the employment status of persons with disabilities by 
providing employers with technical assistance and by providing persons 
with disabilities with information to make them better consumers.
Proposed Priority
    The Secretary proposes to establish an RERC on telecommunications 
access for the purpose of developing technological solutions and 
promoting access for persons with disabilities to current and emerging 
telecommunications systems and products. The RERC must:
    (1) Develop and evaluate in collaboration with industry 
technological solutions to promote accessibility and universal design 
at the outset of the development of telecommunications systems and 
products;
    (2) Develop and disseminate strategies for integrating current 
accessibility features into newer generations of telecommunications 
systems and products;
    (3) Provide technical assistance to public and private 
organizations responsible for developing policies, guidelines, and 
standards that affect the accessibility of telecommunications 
technology products and systems, including the Access Board and the 
Federal Communications Commission; and
    (4) Provide technical assistance and guidance to individuals with 
disabilities and employers on accessibility issues affecting current 
telecommunications systems and products.
    In carrying out these purposes, the RERC must coordinate on 
activities of mutual interest with the RERCs on Information Technology 
Access, Telerehabilitation, Hearing Enhancement, Blindness and Low 
Vision, and Universal Design and the Built Environment.

Electronic Access to This Document

    Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or 
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the 
following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html

To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with 
Search, which is available free at either of the preceding sites. If 
you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government 
Printing Office toll free at (202) 512-1530 or, toll free at 1-888-293-
6498.
    Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an 
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511 
or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option 
G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register.

    Invitation To Comment: Interested persons are invited to submit 
comments and recommendations regarding these proposed priorities. All 
comments submitted in response to this notice will be available for 
public inspection, during and after the comment period, in Room 3424, 
Switzer Building, 330 C Street S.W., Washington, D.C., between the 
hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week 
except Federal holidays.

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    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR Part 350.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133B, 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and 84.133E, 
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers)

    Dated: January 11, 1999.
Curtis L. Richards,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 99-897 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P