[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 53 (Friday, March 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13632-13637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6799]



[[Page 13631]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part II





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Final 
Funding Priorities for Fiscal Year 1999-2000 for Certain Centers and 
Projects and Inviting Applications for New Awards Fiscal Year 1999; 
Notices

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 53 / Friday, March 19, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 13632]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; 
Final Funding Priorities for Fiscal Year 1999-2000 for Certain Centers 
and Projects

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of final funding priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 
for certain centers and projects.

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

SUMMARY: The Secretary announces funding priorities for two 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) and two Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities take effect on April 19, 1999.

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) 205-2742. 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 final priorities under 
the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program 
for two RRTCs related to: Measuring rehabilitation outcomes; and 
rehabilitation of persons with disabilities from minority backgrounds. 
The notice also contains final priorities for two DRRPs related to: 
Dissemination of disability and rehabilitation research; and the 
international exchange of information and experts. The final priorities 
refer 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 final 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).

    Note: This notice of final priorities does not solicit 
applications. A notice inviting applications is published elsewhere 
in this issue of the Federal Register.

Analysis of Comments and Changes

    On January 4, 1999 the Secretary published a notice of proposed 
priorities in the Federal Register (64 FR 342). The Department of 
Education received 24 letters commenting on the notice of proposed 
priority by the deadline date. Technical and other minor changes--and 
suggested changes the Secretary is not legally authorized to make under 
statutory authority--are not addressed.

Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

Priority: Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes

    Comment: Three commenters indicated that the word ``function'' in 
the third required activity should be replaced by ``outcomes'' in order 
to broaden the scope of the RRTC's effort to identify relevant 
measurement gaps.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the wording of the third activity 
should be revised in order to ensure that the RRTC undertakes a broad 
effort to identify relevant measurement gaps.
    Changes: The third activity has been revised by substituting 
``functional outcomes'' for ``function.''
    Comment: Health policymakers and analysts should be added to the 
target population of the fifth required activity.
    Discussion: The fifth required activity targets payers, providers, 
and consumers as users of medical rehabilitation outcome data. Having 
addressed these three groups, an applicant could propose to target 
health policymakers and analysts. NIDRR has no basis to determine that 
all applicants should be required to target health policymakers and 
analysts.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The priority requires the RRTC to address the 
effectiveness of medical rehabilitation services. One commenter 
suggested that in addition to addressing effectiveness, the RRTC should 
address the efficacy of medical rehabilitation services. A second 
commenter suggested that the RRTC address issues of cost-effectiveness.
    Discussion: In regard to the first comment, an applicant could draw 
the distinction between efficacy and effectiveness and propose to 
pursue both lines of investigation. Similarly, in regard to the second 
comment, an applicant could propose to address cost-effectiveness as 
part of fulfilling the requirements of the priority. The peer review 
process will evaluate the merits of the proposals. NIDRR has no basis 
to require all applicants to address efficacy in addition to 
effectiveness, or to require all applicants to address issues of cost-
effectiveness.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The first required activity of the RRTC is to develop and 
test a theoretical model or models assessing long-term outcomes. The 
priority or the introduction should elaborate on the specific features 
that characterize a satisfactory theoretical model.
    Discussion: NIDRR declines to identify the specific features that 
characterize a satisfactory theoretical model in order to provide 
applicants with as much discretion as possible. The peer review process 
will evaluate the merits of the theoretical model or models that 
applicants propose.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The priority is silent on the RRTC's training program 
content.
    Discussion: The training requirement for the RRTC is included in 
the general requirements that precede the priority.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: NIDRR should clarify whether the focus of the RRTC is to 
measure disability and enablement, or to measure rehabilitation 
effectiveness. If the focus is the latter, then changing the title of 
the RRTC to Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes and Treatment 
Effectiveness would help clarify the issue.
    Discussion: As stated in the introductory purpose statement, the 
focus of the RRTC is the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation 
services. NIDRR does not believe that it is necessary to change the 
title of the RRTC in order to provide further clarification.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Five commenters asked NIDRR to clarify whether the RRTC 
should address both short-term and long-term outcomes.
    Discussion: NIDRR expects the RRTC to evaluate and develop methods 
for measuring medical rehabilitation effectiveness in the short-term 
and create theoretical models that examine ways that long-term outcomes 
from medical rehabilitation can be assessed. NIDRR anticipates that 
models that examine long-term outcomes will address strategies to link 
treatment effectiveness and short-term outcomes as well as factors that 
may make those linkages difficult to achieve.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The RRTC should address allied health services and 
community

[[Page 13633]]

supports in addition to medical rehabilitation services.
    Discussion: NIDRR considers allied health services and community 
supports a part of medical rehabilitation services.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The activities to develop a sequel to the Functional 
Independence Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of medical 
rehabilitation services should be pursued as separate projects because 
of the resources that will be required.
    Discussion: NIDRR declines to separate out any of the priority's 
activities because all of the priority's activities are inter-related 
and conducting any of these activities as separate projects will 
diminish their impact.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Two commenters suggested that the RRTC be required to 
address the role of assistive technology in the provision of medical 
rehabilitation services.
    Discussion: NIDRR recognizes that assistive devices play a large 
and important role in the provision of medical rehabilitation services 
and their effectiveness. An applicant could propose to address the role 
of assistive technology. The peer review process will evaluate the 
merits of the proposals. NIDRR has no basis to require all applicants 
to address the role of assistive technology.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: In examining outcomes, the RRTC should focus on changes 
over time, independent of where, or for how long, the person has 
received services.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to carry out research that 
focuses on changes over time, independent of where or for how long the 
person has received services. The peer review process will evaluate the 
merits of the focus. NIDRR has no basis to require all applicants to 
focus on changes over time, independent of where or for how long the 
person has received services.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: NIDRR should clarify if the focus of the second required 
activity is the extent to which medical rehabilitation effectiveness is 
determinable at all, the extent to which it is determinable using 
functional measures, or the extent to which the impact of specific 
interventions is determinable.
    Discussion: The second required activity requires the RRTC to 
investigate the extent to which the effectiveness of medical 
rehabilitation services can be determined by applying specific 
functional outcomes measures to specific rehabilitation interventions. 
The second required activity focuses on a combination of the 
commenter's second and third interpretations.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: NIDRR should clarify if a long-term perspective should be 
incorporated into the third required activity as it is with the first 
required activity.
    Discussion: The third required activity does not refer specifically 
to long-term outcomes and, therefore, applicants have the discretion to 
propose to address the most appropriate and promising types of 
outcomes, including long-term outcomes.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter asked if NIDRR expects the RRTC's activities 
to include less traditional medical rehabilitation service consumers 
such as persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and 
elderly persons with disabilities. A second commenter asked if the 
NIDRR expected the target population to include only those persons with 
physical disabilities. A third commenter suggested that the target 
population be focused on persons with traumatic brain injuries, spinal 
cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.
    Discussion: NIDRR expects the RRTC to address issues applicable to 
all consumers of medical rehabilitation services. To the extent that 
persons with specific disabilities (e.g., mental illness, developmental 
disabilities, Parkinson's disease) are consumers of medical 
rehabilitation services, the RRTC should include them in its 
activities. Applicants may propose to emphasize certain disabilities, 
and the peer review process will evaluate the merits of the emphasis.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Does the second required activity apply to existing 
measures or measures that may be developed by the project?
    Discussion: Applicants can use existing measures, measures 
developed by the project, or both, in carrying out the second required 
activity.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Is the purpose of the second required activity to: (1) 
Evaluate the use of functional outcome measures exclusively in order to 
determine if they are a valid way to evaluate services, (2) investigate 
the limitations of functional outcome measures, or (3) compare 
different outcome measures? The commenter supported the third purpose.
    Discussion: NIDRR defers to applicants to propose approaches to 
carrying out the required activities of a priority. In this particular 
instance, an applicant could propose to do one or more of the 
commenter's approaches to carry out the second activity's requirements. 
The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the proposals.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The first and fifth required activities seem to suggest 
that NIDRR is interested in the RRTC engaging in work to develop a 
standardized set of outcome measures. This may not be possible to 
complete within five years, but the RRTC could make significant 
progress toward this goal. NIDRR should clarify its intent.
    Discussion: The priority does not require the RRTC to undertake 
standardization activities. However, an applicant could propose to 
carry out standardization activities as part of fulfilling the 
requirement of the fourth activity. The peer review process will 
evaluate the merits of the proposal.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The second required activity should be revised to require 
the RRTC to investigate the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation 
services by applying outcome measures to specific rehabilitation 
interventions.
    Discussion: The second required activity focuses on the extent to 
which the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation services can be 
determined by applying specific functional outcomes measures to 
specific rehabilitation interventions. It is outside the size and scope 
of this RRTC to study the effectiveness of services in a field as broad 
as medical rehabilitation.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Collaboration and cooperation between the RRTC and 
relevant non-profit national organizations should be emphasized.
    Discussion: One of the general requirements applicable to the RRTC 
indicates that the RRTC must coordinate with other entities carrying 
out related research or training activities. No further requirements 
are necessary in order for the RRTC to coordinate with relevant non-
profit national organizations.
    Changes: None.

Priority: Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities from Minority 
Backgrounds

    Comment: Clarification is needed in regard to whether the RRTC 
should focus on select disabilities, particularly those that are 
chronic (or likely to be chronic), and whether the RRTC should address 
the needs of adults and children.
    Discussion: The purposes of this priority are to evaluate the 
rehabilitation

[[Page 13634]]

needs and improve rehabilitation outcomes of persons with disabilities 
from minority backgrounds. In their efforts to achieve these purposes, 
applicants have the discretion to propose to focus on selected 
disabilities, or types of disabilities (e.g., chronic). The peer review 
process will evaluate the merits of their focus.
    Unless specified otherwise in the priority, NIDRR expects its 
projects and centers to address the needs of persons with disabilities 
from all age groups. Having addressed the needs of all age groups, 
applicants have the discretion to emphasize one or more age groups.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The priority requires the RRTC to address too many groups 
of individuals from minority backgrounds, and as a result, the needs of 
Pacific Islanders may not receive sufficient attention. Two commenters 
urged NIDRR to establish an RRTC on the rehabilitation for Pacific 
Islanders in the Pacific Basin.
    Discussion: In order to concentrate its support for RRTCs around 
particular broad themes or outcomes having national significance and 
reflecting large scale concerns and problems, NIDRR is not planning to 
support RRTCs that are geographically based. Currently, NIDRR supports 
RRTCs in areas such as employment policy, family policy, demographics, 
telerehabilitation, rural rehabilitation, and vocational rehabilitation 
systems that have the capacity to address rehabilitation research 
issues relevant to the Pacific Basin. NIDRR also supports projects that 
have a specific focus on the Pacific Basin, including an RRTC funded in 
FY 98 at the University of Hawaii, several State or territorial 
Technology Act projects, and the Region IX Disability and Business 
Technical Assistance Center. Finally, NIDRR's Field Initiated Project 
competition provides interested parties with an opportunity to carry 
out research or development activities specific to the Pacific Basin.
    Changes: None.

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects

Priority: International Exchange of Information and Experts

    Comment: The activities carried out by this project should be 
focused on the following areas: employment policy, independent living 
practice, issues pertaining specifically to women with disabilities, 
and the appropriate use of technology to assist persons with 
disabilities.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to focus on these four 
areas. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the 
proposal. However, NIDRR prefers to provide applicants with the 
discretion to propose to focus on specific areas and has no basis to 
determine that all applicants should be required to focus on these 
areas.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Two commenters suggested that participatory action 
research should be identified as a particularly desirable methodology 
in the priority. The second commenter also suggested that the project 
should emphasize increased awareness, interest, and participation in 
international opportunities by people with disabilities, and identify 
and evaluate best practices by people with disabilities, particularly 
in developing countries.
    Discussion: NIDRR is a proponent of participatory action research. 
However, consistent with its approach to provide applicants with as 
much discretion as possible, NIDRR declines to require all applicants 
to promote participatory action research in this priority.
    NIDRR encourages all of its grantees to involve persons with 
disabilities and, if appropriate their representatives, in all aspects 
of a grant's activities. The fourth required activity of the priority 
focuses on information on cultural perspectives, and NIDRR expects 
developing countries to be included in the project's activities.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: The first and second required activities should be revised 
to include development and technology transfer in the database of 
international rehabilitation research and as a topic at the research 
conferences.
    Discussion: ``International rehabilitation research'' includes 
development and technology transfer. NIDRR prefers to provide 
applicants with the discretion to propose the content of the database 
and topics at the research conferences. The peer review process will 
evaluate the merits of the proposals.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: NIDRR should clarify the meaning of ``improving 
rehabilitation services.'' For example, does it include assistive 
technology services and assistive devices, as well as medical 
rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation?
    Discussion: NIDRR expects that the project will approach and define 
rehabilitation services broadly, and prefers to provide applicants with 
the discretion to define the scope of rehabilitation services.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Is the goal of the project to improve research and 
technical assistance on rehabilitation primarily with the U.S., outside 
the U.S., or both?
    Discussion: The goal, as stated in the Introduction, is essentially 
to assist U.S. rehabilitation practitioners to improve the 
effectiveness of the services they provide.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Who is the target audience for this project?
    Discussion: The target audience is primarily researchers and 
practitioners.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: What criteria should be applied in selecting countries to 
include in the project's activities?
    Discussion: The issue of selection for participation in the project 
relates much more to an individual's potential contribution than their 
country of origin. NIDRR expects that applicants will propose to 
include individuals from a number of foreign countries whose research 
and practical experience will contribute to fulfilling the purpose of 
the priority.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: What is the definition of research? For example, should 
the project focus on applied research, research and development, or 
clinical research?
    Discussion: Research is classified and defined in NIDRR's 
regulations at Sec. 350.5.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Is the definition of disabilities limited to physical 
disabilities, sensory disabilities, cognitive disabilities, or 
psychological disabilities?
    Discussion: An individual with a disability is defined in NIDRR's 
regulations at Sec. 350.5.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Does the exchange of experts need to be face-to-face, and 
if so what is the role of the project staff? Related to this question, 
if technical assistance experts visit other countries, is the goal to 
share information or provide technical assistance?
    Discussion: The exchange of experts does not have to be face-to-
face, and project staff will facilitate the exchange of information. In 
regard to whether the question of whether the technical assistance 
experts will share information or provide technical assistance, NIDRR 
does not draw as sharp a distinction between the two activities as the 
commenter suggests. NIDRR prefers to provide applicants with the 
discretion to propose the types of information exchange that the 
project's participants will undertake.
    Changes: None.

[[Page 13635]]

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.

General Requirements

    The following requirements apply to these RRTCs 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.
    Each RRTC must provide: (1) Training on research methodology and 
applied research experience; and (2) training on knowledge gained from 
the Center's research activities to persons with disabilities and their 
families, service providers, and other appropriate parties.
    Each RRTC must 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.
    Each RRTC must involve individuals with disabilities and, if 
appropriate, their representatives, in planning and implementing its 
research, training, and dissemination activities, and in evaluating the 
Center.
    The RRTC 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.
    The RRTC must coordinate with other entities carrying out related 
research or training activities.

Priorities

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

Priority 1: Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes

Introduction
    Chapter Four of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57204) discusses issues 
in medical rehabilitation, including research on rehabilitation 
outcomes. There is a need to develop more effective outcomes 
measurement tools to determine the effectiveness, including the cost-
effectiveness, of medical rehabilitation interventions and products. 
Chapter Seven of the proposed LRP (63 FR 57211) reviews the importance 
of documenting outcomes across service settings and programs. The 
proposed LRP identifies long-term outcomes, such as employment, 
community integration, and quality of life, as an important component 
of the new paradigm of disability that expands the focus of research 
from the individual to society and the environment. NIDRR expects this 
RRTC to integrate the new paradigm of disability in its research 
activities. The new paradigm maintains that disability is a product of 
an interaction between characteristics of the individual and 
characteristics of the natural, man-made, cultural, social 
environments.
    Medical rehabilitation outcomes research has focused on function. 
NIDRR supported the development and application of the Functional 
Independence Measure (FIM), a criterion-referenced scale that has been 
widely accepted in inpatient rehabilitation settings. NIDRR also 
supported the development of the Craig Handicap Assessment and 
Reporting Technique that contains scales for assessing the World Health 
Organization dimensions of ``handicap'' (i.e., participation) and is 
currently being refined to measure cognitive components of disability.
    While researchers have been able to demonstrate gain in function, 
as measured by instruments like the FIM, there is no conclusive 
evidence regarding the specific impact of therapeutic intervention on 
functional gain (Heinemann, A. et al., ``Relation of Rehabilitation 
Intervention to Functional Outcome,'' Final Technical

[[Page 13636]]

Report, Center for Functional Assessment Research, University of 
Buffalo, pg. 11, 1998). In addition, medical rehabilitation providers 
are being asked to demonstrate the relationship between short-term 
functional gain and long-term outcomes for persons with disabilities 
(Wilkerson, D. and Johnston, M., ``Clinical Program Monitoring 
Systems,'' in Assessing Medical Rehabilitation Practices--The Promise 
of Outcomes Research, pgs. 275-305, 1997).
    In addition to the widespread use of the FIM as a measure of 
function, there are other commonly used measures. Also, there are 
multiple measures related to other types of outcomes, including quality 
of life, community integration, and consumer satisfaction. Providers, 
consumers, and other stakeholders have difficulty comparing outcomes 
because use of outcome measures across settings is not standardized 
(Wilkerson, D. and Johnston, M., ibid.).
Priority
    The Secretary will establish an RRTC for the purpose of developing 
improved methods that assess the effectiveness of medical 
rehabilitation services. The RRTC must:
    (1) Develop and test theoretical model or models assessing long-
term outcomes as part of a system of evaluating medical rehabilitation 
effectiveness;
    (2) Investigate the extent to which the effectiveness of medical 
rehabilitation services can be determined by applying functional 
outcomes measures to specific rehabilitation interventions;
    (3) Identify gaps in existing measures of medical rehabilitation 
effectiveness, assessing not only the FIM's, but also other 
instruments' utility as a measure of the impact of therapeutic 
interventions on functional outcomes across rehabilitation settings;
    (4) Revise or develop and test measures of medical rehabilitation 
effectiveness to address gaps identified by paragraph (3) above; and
    (5) Evaluate and describe the uses of medical rehabilitation 
outcome data by payers, providers, and consumers.
    In carrying out these purposes, the RRTC must coordinate with the 
RRTC on Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities--Issues in 
Managed Health Care, the National Center on Medical Rehabilitation 
Research, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Health Care 
Financing Administration.

Priority 2: Rehabilitation of Persons With Disabilities From Minority 
Backgrounds

Introduction
    Chapter Two of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57194) discusses and 
highlights methodological problems in the categorization and definition 
of disability, including identifying and measuring consequences of 
disability in minority populations. Disabilities in minority 
populations may be associated with factors such as health, poverty, 
family structure, environment, aging, substance abuse, chronic disease, 
and violence-related trauma in ways that are substantially different 
from non-minority populations. Chapter 3 of the proposed LRP identifies 
the need for minority populations research that provides information 
about employment factors, including identifying rehabilitation 
strategies that are based on knowledge about the characteristics of 
racial and ethnic minorities.
    For the purpose of this priority, persons from minority backgrounds 
include one or more of the following minorities: Asian-Americans, 
Hispanics or Latinos, Black or African-Americans, and Native Hawaiians 
or other Pacific Islanders. American Indians and Alaskan Natives are 
not included as a target population for this RRTC because other NIDRR 
grants address their needs directly.
Priority
    The Secretary will establish an RRTC on rehabilitation of persons 
with disabilities from minority backgrounds for the purpose of 
evaluating their rehabilitation needs and improving their 
rehabilitation outcomes. The RRTC must:
    (1) Identify methodological problems in determining the 
rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities from minority 
backgrounds, including subpopulations within these groups, and propose 
strategies to address these methodological problems;
    (2) Based on paragraph (1), identify implications for 
rehabilitation research, training, policy development, and services;
    (3) Assess the outcomes of rehabilitation for persons with 
disabilities from minority backgrounds, as measured by two or more 
variables (e.g., functional abilities, health and wellness, employment, 
and psychosocial status), and analyze the effects of minority status on 
rehabilitation outcomes; and
    (4) Identify, develop, and evaluate rehabilitation methodologies, 
models and interventions for specific minorities in selected areas 
drawn from the NIDRR Research Agenda in Section Two of the proposed 
LRP.
    In carrying out the purpose of the priority, the RRTC must:
     Include concepts of health self-assessment and consumer 
decision-making related to participation in the labor force; and
     Coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention's Center on Minority Health.

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects

    Authority for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
(DRRPs) is contained in section 204(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 764(a)). DRRPs carry out one or more of the 
following types of activities, as specified in 34 CFR 350.13--350.19: 
research, development, demonstration, training, dissemination, 
utilization, and technical assistance. Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research Projects develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation 
technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into 
society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic 
and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, 
especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. In addition, 
DRRPs improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Priority 3: Dissemination of Disability and Rehabilitation Research

Introduction
    Chapter Eight of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57213) describes the 
importance of effective knowledge dissemination and utilization (D&U). 
NIDRR proposes to establish a center that will serve as the cornerstone 
of NIDRR's D&U efforts by carrying out research on effective 
dissemination methodologies and providing technical assistance to all 
of NIDRR's grantees as well as to the wide array of consumers of 
disability research findings.
Priority
    The Secretary will establish a DRRP for the purpose of increasing 
the usefulness of NIDRR-funded research findings. The National Center 
for the Dissemination of Disability Research must:
    (1) Identify and evaluate effective methodologies for disseminating 
disability research to persons with disabilities and their families, 
service providers, policymakers, and other researchers;

[[Page 13637]]

    (2) Provide technical assistance on D&U methodologies to all NIDRR 
grantees including, but not limited to, addressing cultural relevance, 
ensuring physical accessibility of information, and developing 
effective dissemination plans.
    (3) Develop, implement, and evaluate a plan for collaboration among 
NIDRR projects that primarily disseminate information in order to 
enhance dissemination and avoid duplication of activities; and (4) 
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods that diverse public audiences 
can use to access NIDRR-funded research findings.

Priority 4: International Exchange of Information and Experts

Introduction
    The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides NIDRR with the 
authority to exchange experts and technical assistance in field of 
rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities as well as conduct a 
program for international research and demonstration (Section 204 
(b)(6)). Cooperative international research activities can offer new 
perspectives on solving rehabilitation problems, provide data for the 
evaluation of domestic programs, and assist U.S. rehabilitation 
practitioners to improve the effectiveness of the services they 
provide, especially for minority and immigrant populations.
Priority
    The Secretary will establish a DRRP for the purpose of improving 
rehabilitation services by obtaining and disseminating information on 
international rehabilitation research and practices. The DRRP must:
    (1) Develop and maintain a database of international rehabilitation 
research and make this database available to grantees supported by 
NIDRR, the Office of Special Education Programs, and the Rehabilitation 
Services Administration;
    (2) Conduct rehabilitation research conferences involving 
participants from the U.S. and other countries;
    (3) Conduct an international exchange of research and technical 
assistance experts between other countries and the United States; and 
(4) Disseminate information on cultural perspectives on rehabilitation 
to entities that provide rehabilitation or conduct rehabilitation 
research and training activities involving persons from foreign 
backgrounds.

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 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.

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

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133A, Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research Projects, and 84.133B, Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Centers)

    Dated: March 15, 1999.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 99-6799 Filed 3-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U