[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23988-23993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11155]



[[Page 23987]]

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Part VI





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Final 
Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 1999-2000 for Certain Centers and 
Projects; Inviting Applications for New Awards Under the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Project and Centers Program for Fiscal Year 
(FY) 1999; Notices

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 85 / Tuesday, May 4, 1999 / Notices  

[[Page 23988]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


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

AGENCY: Department of Education.

SUMMARY: The Secretary announces final funding priorities for four 
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 June 3, 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 four RRTCs related to: rehabilitation for persons with long-term 
mental illness; rehabilitation for children with disabilities with 
special health care needs; policies affecting the provision of services 
to children with emotional disturbances and their families; and 
improving services and supports to children with emotional disturbances 
and their families. The notice also contains final priorities for two 
DRRPs related to: rehabilitation for women with disabilities; and 
analysis of service delivery and policies affecting emerging disability 
populations. The final priorities refer to NIDRR's proposed Long-Range 
Plan (LRP). The proposed 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 February 25, 1999 the Secretary published a notice of proposed 
priorities in the Federal Register (64 FR 9422). The Department of 
Education received 40 letters commenting on the notice of proposed 
priorities by the deadline date. An analysis of the comments and of the 
changes in the priorities since publication of the proposed priorities 
follows. Other substantive issues are discussed under the priority in 
which they pertain. 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 1: Rehabilitation for Persons With Long-Term Mental Illness

    Comment: The RRTC should focus on the role of conflict resolution 
skills in the recovery of individuals with long-term mental illness.
    Discussion: Under the first required activity, an applicant could 
propose to investigate the role of conflict resolution skills in the 
recovery of individuals with long-term mental illness. The peer review 
process will evaluate the merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no basis to 
require all applicants to investigate the role of conflict resolution 
skills in the recovery of individuals with long-term mental illness.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: The RRTC should be required to identify and evaluate 
interventions that promote the functioning of single parent families in 
which the parent has a history of mental illness.
    Discussion: The purpose of the priority is to address the 
employment status of persons with LTMI and investigate the 
effectiveness of functional recovery. Within that context, an applicant 
could propose to place a special emphasis on individuals with long-term 
mental illness who are single parents. The peer review process will 
evaluate the merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no basis to require all 
applicants to place a special emphasis on individuals with long-term 
mental illness who are single parents.
    Changes: None.

Priority 2: Rehabilitation for Children With Disabilities With Special 
Health Care Needs

    Comment: Thirty-three commenters urged NIDRR to establish an RRTC 
on Pediatric Trauma and fund a National Pediatric Trauma Registry 
(NPTR).
    Discussion: After consulting with other agencies carrying out 
related pediatric research and reviewing the research portfolios of 
current NIDRR grantees that carry out pediatric research, NIDRR will 
consider establishing an RRTC on Pediatric Trauma. After conducting a 
formal evaluation of the current NPTR, NIDRR will consider establishing 
a new NPTR.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: The RRTC should address the healthcare access problems of 
children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, or 
autoimmune diseases.
    Discussion: The priority includes a definition of children with 
disabilities with special health care needs as having a chronic 
physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition that also 
requires health and related services of a type or amount beyond that 
required by children generally. The RRTC could address the healthcare 
access problems of children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 
fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, or autoimmune diseases if their condition 
also requires health and related services of a type or amount beyond 
that required by children generally.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: One commenter questioned the appropriateness of the target 
population and asked for a clarification. The commenter asked if it was 
necessary to include children with serious emotional conditions in this 
RRTC in light of the two RRTCs related to children with serious 
emotional disturbances. In addition, the commenter asked for 
clarification regarding the age range of the target population, the 
importance of the onset of disability, and the inclusion of children 
who are institutionalized.
    Discussion: The two RRTCs related to children with serious 
emotional disturbances will not address the healthcare issues that are 
addressed by this RRTC.
    In terms of the target population, NIDRR prefers to give applicants 
the discretion to propose the characteristics of the target population 
who meet the definition in the priority of children disabilities with 
special health care needs. The peer review process will

[[Page 23989]]

evaluate the merits of the proposed target population.
    All children, including those who are institutionalized, who meet 
the definition of children with disabilities with special health care 
needs, should be included in the target population.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: One commenter questioned the utility of requiring the RRTC 
to coordinate with the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center 
(RERC) on Telerehabilitation.
    Discussion: The RRTC is required to assess the effectiveness and 
appropriateness of using telerehabilitation to provide health care 
services to children in remote settings. The RERC on Telerehabilitation 
should be instrumental in successfully carrying out this research.
    Changes: None.

Priority 3: Policies Affecting the Provision of Services to Children 
with Emotional Disturbances and Their Families

    Comment: The shared Introduction that prefaces this priority and 
the priority on improving services and supports to children with 
emotional disturbances and their families should focus on strengths, 
family-centered and family-driven planning, implementation, and 
evaluation, as well as an injunction that all aspects of service 
delivery should be culturally competent.
    Discussion: The introductions to these, and other priorities, 
include only that background information that is necessary in order for 
potential applicants to propose to fulfill the purpose of the priority. 
NIDRR believes that the principles articulated in the comment are 
valuable, but not essential.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: This RRTC and the RRTC on improving services and supports 
to children with emotional disturbances and their families should 
include individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds and engage 
family members in all of the work they perform.
    Discussion: The description and general requirements of the RRTC 
include provisions that are consistent with the commenter's 
suggestions. They state that NIDRR encourages all Centers to involve 
individuals with disabilities and individuals from minority backgrounds 
as recipients of research training, as well as clinical training, and 
that 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. No further requirements are necessary.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: The first and third required activities should include 
family-run organizations.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to address the role of 
family-run organizations within the first and third required 
activities. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the 
proposal. NIDRR has no basis to require all applicants to address the 
role of family-run organizations within the first and third required 
activities.
    Changes: None.

Priority 4: Improving Services and Supports to Children With Emotional 
Disturbances and Their Families

    Comment: The first required activity should acknowledge the 
importance of family participation at the case level, in service 
planning, implementation, and planning, as well as in policy making.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to stress the importance of 
family participation in carrying out the first required activity. The 
peer review process will evaluate merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no 
basis to require all applicants to stress the importance of family 
participation in carrying out the first required activity.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: Two commenters indicated that the fourth required activity 
should include issues related to collaboration in addition to issues on 
communication skills.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to approach communication 
skills broadly so as to include issues related to collaboration. The 
peer review process will evaluate merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no 
basis to require all applicants to approach communication skills 
broadly so as to include issues related to collaboration.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: The RRTC should be required to describe the evolution and 
development of family-run organizations and their impact on the design, 
development, delivery, and evaluation of services and supports of 
children, youth, and families.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to carry out the research 
that the commenter has suggested as part of their research under the 
first or second required activities. The peer review process will 
evaluate the merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no basis to require all 
applicants to describe the evolution and development of family-run 
organizations and their impact on the design, development, delivery, 
and evaluation of services and supports of children, youth, and 
families.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: The priority refers to the Office of Policy and Planning 
in the Department of Health and Human Services. Is this reference 
correct?
    Discussion: No. The correct reference should be the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the Department of 
Health and Human Services.
    Changes: The priority has been revised to refer to the Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the Department 
of Health and Human Services.

Priority 5: Improved Economic Outcomes for Women With Disabilities

    Comment: The DRRP should include some international focus, evaluate 
a range of domestic economic development models, identify technological 
obstacles and solutions, and focus on girls and young women from a 
variety of ethnic backgrounds, economic strata, and disability groups.
    Discussion: An applicant could propose to include all of the 
commenter's suggestions in the research to be carried out by the DRRP. 
The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the proposals. 
NIDRR has no basis to require all applicants to include some 
international focus, evaluate a range of domestic economic development 
models, identify technological obstacles and solutions, and focus on 
girls and young women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, economic 
strata, and disability groups.
    Changes: None.

    Comment: The DRRP should identify jobs that can accommodate the 
special problems of persons with relapsing-remitting illnesses and 
cognitive problems, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), multiple 
sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
    Discussion: The DRRP is not required to identify jobs for any 
disability group. However, as part of the research carried out under 
the second and third required activity, an applicant could propose to 
carry out the research suggested by the commenter. The peer review 
process will evaluate the merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no basis to 
require all applicants to identify jobs that can accommodate the 
special problems of persons with relapsing-remitting illnesses and 
cognitive problems, such as CFS, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, 
lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
    Changes: None.

[[Page 23990]]

Priority 6: Analysis of Service Delivery and Policies Affecting 
Emerging Disability Populations

    Comment: How will the DRRP determine what disabilities qualify as 
``emerging,'' and specifically, does NIDRR consider CFS an emerging 
disability?
    Discussion: As indicated in the Introduction, NIDRR's proposed LRP 
provides a description of characteristics of emerging disability 
populations. Applicants will use that description to propose those 
disabilities that will be addressed by the DRRP. An applicant could 
propose to include CFS as an emerging disability. The peer review 
process will evaluate the merits of the proposal. NIDRR has no basis to 
require all applicants to consider CFS an emerging disability.
    Changes: None.

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 priority. The 
Secretary will fund under this competition only applications that meet 
this priority.

Priority 1: Rehabilitation for Persons With Long-Term Mental Illness

Introduction
    Chapter Two of NIDRR's proposed LRP addresses the employment status 
of persons with mental illness (63 FR 57197-57198) and Chapter Six (63 
FR 57208) sets forth the background to research addressing their 
rehabilitation needs within the framework of community integration. The 
National Institute of Mental Health estimates that there are over 3 
million adults ages 18-69 who have a serious mental illness 
(Manderscheid, R.W. & Sonnenschein, M.A. (Eds.), Mental Health, United 
States 1992 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, 
MD; DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 92-1942).
    The psychiatric rehabilitation model includes recovery as an 
outcome for persons experiencing long-term mental illness (LTMI). The 
recovery paradigm is defined as the personal, unique process of 
changing one's attitudes, values, skills, and roles to maximize 
personal functioning (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Inc., http:/
/www.psychdismgmt.com/index.html). It refers to persons with LTMI 
regaining social function and developing new meaning and purpose in 
their lives through understanding and accepting their disability, 
taking personal responsibility, developing hope, and effectively 
utilizing support. There is a

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need to determine the effectiveness of the recovery approach to 
rehabilitation for persons with LTMI.
Priority
    The Secretary, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration and the Center for Mental Health 
Services, will establish an RRTC on rehabilitation for persons with 
LTMI to address the employment status of persons with LTMI and 
investigate the effectiveness of functional recovery. The RRTC must:
    (1) Investigate individual and environmental factors that 
facilitate or hinder recovery, and describe the recovery process;
    (2) Investigate whether the recovery process differs for 
individuals based on diagnosis, ethnicity, and history of physical or 
psychological abuse;
    (3) Investigate the relationships between recovery and job 
training, education, and employment; and
    (4) Investigate the impact of various alternative health care 
practices and wellness activities such as exercise, diet, meditation, 
peer support, and personal assistance services on employment outcomes 
for persons with LTMI.

Priority 2: Rehabilitation for Children With Disabilities With Special 
Health Care Needs

Introduction
    Chapter Four of NIDRR's proposed LRP addresses health care and 
health care systems for persons with disabilities (63 FR 57202-57203). 
For the purposes of this proposed priority, children with disabilities 
with special health care needs have a chronic physical, developmental, 
behavioral, or emotional condition and also require health and related 
services of a type or amount beyond that required by children 
generally.
    As the trend toward enrolling Medicaid-eligible populations in 
capitated healthcare delivery programs (e.g., health maintenance 
organizations) continues, States have begun to address the challenges 
of providing coordinated, high quality health care to high cost 
populations. Children with disabilities with special health care are 
among those high cost populations because they tend to need multiple 
services, advanced technologies, and specialized services. Research is 
needed to determine whether cost control strategies are preventing 
children with disabilities with special health care needs from 
receiving access to the range of specialized and support services, and 
technologies that they need to treat their condition and prevent 
further disability.
Priority
    The Secretary will establish an RRTC to improve rehabilitation 
outcomes for children with disabilities with special health care needs. 
The RRTC must:
    (1) Investigate access to pediatric rehabilitation, including 
specialized and support services, and technologies, by children with 
disabilities with special health care needs;
    (2) Analyze the impact of cost control strategies on the provision 
of health care to children with disabilities with special health care 
needs;
    (3) Identify best practices in the transition from pediatric to 
adult medical care in capitated managed care settings;
    (4) Assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of using 
telerehabilitation to provide health care services to children with 
disabilities with special health care needs in remote settings; and
    (5) Identify training issues for service providers who diagnose and 
assess the assistive technology needs of children with disabilities who 
have special health care needs.
    In carrying out these purposes, the RRTC must coordinate with the 
Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Office of Policy and Planning 
in the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Special 
Education Programs, the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, and 
the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telerehabilitation.
Two Priorities Addressing Children With Emotional Disturbances
    Chapter Seven of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57213) addresses 
public policy issues for people with disabilities including the 
integration of service systems. Children with emotional disturbances 
and their families are likely to receive services from a number of 
social service systems. Gaining a better of understanding of the 
policies that serve as the foundation for these services, and their 
interaction, may contribute to improvements in the quality of services.
    Approximately 3.5 to 4 million youngsters (from ages 9-17) are 
estimated to have an emotional disturbance accompanied by substantial 
functional impairment (Center for Mental Health Services, Publication 
SMA96-308, Chapter 6, 1996).

Priority 3: Policies Affecting the Provision of Services to Children 
With Emotional Disturbances and Their Families

Introduction
    Many children with emotional disturbances receive services over 
extended periods of time from multiple agencies including child welfare 
and protective services agencies, schools and local educational 
agencies, and elements of the juvenile justice system. Coordination of 
the delivery of services from multiple agencies is a difficult 
undertaking that may be facilitated by ensuring that the public 
policies authorizing the services are compatible and promote 
coordination and collaboration.
    The costs, or part of the costs, of mental health services provided 
to children with emotional disturbances are routinely covered by 
insurance programs. Research is needed to understand the impact of 
changes in the field of health care financing on mental health services 
provided to children with emotional disturbances.
Priority
    The Secretary, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration and the Center for Mental Health 
Services, will establish an RRTC to improve policies affecting the 
provision of services to children with emotional disturbances and their 
families. The RRTC must:
    (1) Develop an analytical framework for assessing: family 
characteristics and policies, structure of service systems, service 
delivery processes, interagency coordination and collaboration, and 
outcomes for children with emotional disturbances and their families;
    (2) Using the methodology developed above, determine the 
effectiveness of specific policies, implementation strategies, service 
delivery procedures, and coordination practices in meeting the needs of 
children with emotional disturbances and their families;
    (3) Identify the impact of specific characteristics of interagency 
collaboration and coordination on the provision of services to children 
with emotional disturbances and their families;
    (4) Assess the impact of specific policies on access to services of 
children with emotional disturbances from diverse cultural, linguistic, 
ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds; and
    (5) Investigate the impact of changes in health care financing, 
particularly the State Children's Health Insurance Program, on mental 
health services

[[Page 23992]]

provided to children with emotional disturbances.
    In carrying out these purposes, the RRTC must:
     Coordinate with the Center for Mental Health Services and 
the Office of Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the 
Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Special 
Education Programs, and the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council; 
and
     Establish practical statistical methodologies and 
measurement tools that specifically assess the policies affecting 
families of children with serious emotional disturbance.

Priority 4: Improving Services and Supports to Children With Emotional 
Disturbances and Their Families

Introduction
    Families of children with emotional disturbances face multiple 
challenges and need appropriate services for their children as well as 
supportive services for the family. Early identification of an 
emotional disturbance is beneficial not only to the child, but also to 
the family who must learn to address the impact of their child's 
behavior on the family and to navigate various service systems. In 
order to address family needs and be successful advocates for their 
child, families must learn to communicate effectively with providers. 
At the same time, service providers must have the ability to understand 
families' needs and respond positively to those needs.
Priority
    The Secretary, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration and the Center for Mental Health 
Services, will establish an RRTC to improve services and supports for 
children with emotional disturbances and their families. The RRTC must:
    (1) Develop and evaluate service delivery models for children with 
an emotional disturbance and their families, including family centered 
and culturally sensitive services;
    (2) Define and evaluate the formal and informal components of 
family support and identify successful family support interventions;
    (3) Identify and evaluate early intervention strategies; and
    (4) Identify, develop, and evaluate communication skills to enable 
families and service providers to communicate effectively with each 
other.
    In carrying out these purposes, the RRTC must coordinate with the 
Center for Mental Health Services and the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the Department of Health and 
Human Services, the Office of Special Education Programs, and the 
Federal Interagency Coordinating Council.
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.

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 
these priorities.

Priority 5: Improved Economic Outcomes for Women With Disabilities

Introduction
    Chapter One of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57192) addresses the 
need for research to explore new ways of measuring and assessing 
disability in context, taking into account the effects of physical, 
policy, and social environments, and the dynamic nature of disability 
over the life span and across environments. Among the objectives for 
persons with disabilities are satisfactory employment, economic self-
sufficiency, and the opportunity to participate in mainstream community 
life.
    There is evidence that the economic conditions of women with 
disability are comparatively poor. Disabled women have lower levels of 
educational attainment, lower employment rates regardless of education, 
and lower earnings. Also, they are more likely to be dependent on 
public income supports, to live in poverty, and to be single parents at 
some time during their lives, with responsibility for the care and 
support of children (Introduction to Disability, McColl, M. and 
Bickenbach, J., Eds., W.B. Saunders Co., 1998).
    NIDRR expects this project to contribute to our understanding of 
strategies that women with disabilities can use to achieve greater 
economic independence. The project may focus on ways to maximize 
earnings from work, self-employment, and financial life planning. In 
the effort to maximize earnings, some women with disabilities at 
various educational levels are setting career goals, attaining 
appropriate training and education throughout the life span, and 
developing networks and support systems to improve their employment 
outcomes. Some disabled women, especially those with young children, 
are now considering the advantages and disadvantages of home-based 
employment.
Priority
    The Secretary will establish a DRRP to evaluate the economic status 
of women with disabilities and identify strategies to improve 
employment outcomes and economic independence.
    (1) Analyze, using existing data sources, the employment conditions 
and economic status of disabled women, including uses of public and 
private income supports;
    (2) Analyze the skills and conditions that promote lifelong 
economics self-sufficiency for disabled women;
    (3) Identify innovative strategies to improve employment outcomes, 
including earnings, career progression, and benefits packages, for 
women with disabilities; and
    (4) Identify innovative strategies, including peer support 
strategies, to assist disabled women to develop plans to increase 
lifelong economic security.

Priority 6: Analysis of Service Delivery and Policies Affecting 
Emerging Disability Populations

Introduction
    Chapter 2 of NIDRR's proposed LRP (63 FR 57196-57198) describes 
what has become known as the ``emerging universe of disability.'' 
Demographic, social and environmental trends affect the prevalence and 
distribution of various types of disability as well as the demands of 
those disabilities on social policy and service systems. Studies of 
such emergent disabilities address factors that include: (1) changing 
etiologies for existing disabilities; (2) growth in segments of the 
population with higher prevalence rates for certain disabilities, 
including the aging of the population of individuals with disabilities; 
(3) the consequences of

[[Page 23993]]

changes in public policy and in health care services and technologies; 
and (4) the appearance of new disabilities.
Priority
    The Secretary will establish a DRRP to improve the provision of 
services to persons with emerging disabilities. The DRRP must:
    (1) Evaluate the implications of emerging disabilities for service 
systems and social policy; and
    (2) Assess the particular needs, with attention to identifying 
unmet needs of the emerging universe for independent living services, 
assistive technology services, community-based supports, and other 
services such as vocational rehabilitation, special education, medical 
and psychosocial rehabilitation, income supports, and medical 
assistance.
    In carrying out these purposes the DRRP must:
     Use a range of existing data sources to estimate and 
describe the emerging universe of disability and predict future trends;
     Assess the feasibility of using existing, or establishing 
new surveillance systems in order to improve the accuracy of predicting 
changes in the emerging universe;
     Identify etiologies, including environmental or social 
factors, associated with these emerging disabilities;
     Design a practical and prioritized agenda for a future 
research program to address gaps in service delivery, to develop 
interventions and to develop policy approaches to address the 
disability-related problems of various segments of the emerging 
universe; and
     Convene a conference to discuss the Center's findings and 
their implications, with an emphasis on dissemination of results of the 
conference to appropriate NIDRR grantees.

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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 previous sites. If you 
have questions about using the PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing 
Office (GPO) at (202) 512-1530 or, toll free at 1-888-293-6498.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html

    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR Part 350.

    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: April 28, 1999.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 99-11155 Filed 5-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U