[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35418-35419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12602]



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Part VII





Department of Education





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National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Request 
for Written Comments; Notice

  Federal Register/Vol. 67, No. 96/Friday, May 17, 2002/Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; 
Request for Written Comments

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Request for written comments.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary invites written comments suggesting 
priorities for research centers and projects administered by the 
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) 
under title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act). 
We encourage individuals to suggest research priorities that are 
consistent with NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (the Plan) and that support the 
New Freedom Initiative (NFI).

DATES: We would like to receive your written comments suggesting 
priorities on or before July 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments to Joel Myklebust, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3422, Switzer Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Fax: (202) 205-8515. If you prefer to send 
your comments through the Internet, use the following address: 
[email protected]
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about these priorities in room 3422, Switzer Building, 330 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 
p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal 
holidays.

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Comments

    On request, we will supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or 
print magnifier, to an individual with a disability who needs 
assistance to review the comments. If you want to schedule an 
appointment for this type of aid, please contact the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Myklebust. Telephone: (202) 205-
8831.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475 or via the Internet: 
[email protected]
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Plan

    NIDRR is interested in suggestions for research priorities that are 
consistent with the research areas, needs, and target populations 
addressed in the Plan.
    The Plan aims to maximize independence and participation in society 
by individuals with disabilities. The Plan addresses priorities in five 
major research areas: (1) Employment outcomes; (2) health and function; 
(3) technology for access and function; (4) independent living and 
community integration; and (5) associated disability research areas, 
including but not limited to, knowledge dissemination and utilization, 
and capacity building for rehabilitation research.
    The Plan addresses a range of diverse needs and target populations, 
including the following:
     The needs of individuals with disabilities for 
knowledge and information that will enable them to achieve their 
aspirations for self-direction, independence, inclusion, and functional 
competence.
     The needs of rehabilitation service providers 
for information on new techniques and technologies that will enable 
them to assist in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.
     The needs of researchers to advance the 
capabilities of science as well as the body of scientific knowledge.
     The needs of society, and its leadership, for 
strategies that will enable it to facilitate the potential 
contributions of all citizens.
     The need to transfer findings from basic to 
applied research.

The NFI

    NIDRR is interested in suggestions for research priorities that 
will contribute to one or more of the following objectives that support 
the NFI.
    The NFI addresses increasing access to assistive technologies, 
expanding educational opportunities, increasing the ability of 
individuals with disabilities to integrate into the workforce, and 
promoting increased access into daily community life.
    Objectives that support the NFI are the following:
     Increasing access to assistive and universally 
designed technologies.
     Expanding educational opportunities for 
individuals with disabilities.
     Integrating individuals with disabilities into 
the workforce.
     Expanding telecommuting.
     Promoting innovative transportation solutions.
     Promoting full access to community life.
     Promoting homeownership for individuals with 
disabilities.
     Promoting the successful implementation of the 
Olmstead Decision.
     Improving America's mental health service 
delivery system.
     Increasing the availability and delivery of new 
treatments and technologies for individuals with severe mental illness.
     Improving the accessibility of organizations 
that are currently exempt from Title III of the ADA, such as churches, 
mosques, synagogues, and civic organizations.
     Improving access to polling places and ballot 
secrecy for individuals with disabilities.

Availability of Copies of The Plan and NFI

    The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: 
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR/Products
    The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominiative.html
    Individuals who are unable to access the Internet may obtain copies 
of the Plan and the NFI by contacting the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a 
copy of the Plan or the NFI in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, 
large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Recommended Format for Comments

    We recommend that your written comments be no longer than two 
single-spaced pages. We recommend that your comments include the 
following information:
    (1) A brief background statement that identifies the target 
population, describes the problem or issue that would be addressed, and 
summarizes the current state of the research.
    (2) A description of the research project or projects that would 
address the identified problem or issue.
    (3) An estimate of the amount of the annual award and the number of 
years (5 years or less) that a grantee would need to carry out the 
suggested research.
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may review this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the

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Federal Register in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

    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


(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133A, Disability 
Rehabilitation Research Project)


    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 701, et seq.

    Dated: May 10, 2002.
Loretta L. Petty,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 02-12602 Filed 5-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U