[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 112 (Thursday, June 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32824-32826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13238]



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Part VIII





Department of Education





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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research (NIDRR)--Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) 
Program--Health and Function Outcomes for Individuals With 
Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2004; Notices

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 112 / Thursday, June 10, 2004 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

RIN 1820 ZA37


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Availability, etc: Special Education 
and Rehabilitative Services--Rehabilitation Research and Training 
Centers Program

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

ACTION: Notice of final priorities (NFP) for Health and Function 
Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces final priorities under the 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) Program for the 
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). 
The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities for 
competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2004 and later years. We take this 
action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend 
these priorities to improve health and function outcomes for 
individuals with disabilities.

DATES: Effective Date: These final priorities are effective July 9, 
2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of 
Education, 550 12th Street, SW., room 6046, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7462 or via Internet: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the TDD number at (202) 245-7317.
    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:

Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

    RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of 
research targeted toward the production of new knowledge to improve 
rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or 
stabilize disability conditions, or promote maximum social and economic 
independence for persons with disabilities. Additional information on 
the RRTC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.

General Requirements of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

    RRTCs must:
     Carry out coordinated advanced programs of rehabilitation 
research;
     Provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to help rehabilitation personnel more effectively 
provide rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities;
     Provide technical assistance to individuals with 
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested 
parties;
     Disseminate informational materials to individuals with 
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested 
parties; and
     Serve as centers for national excellence in rehabilitation 
research for individuals with disabilities, their representatives, 
providers, and other interested parties.
    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 RRTC. In accordance 
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at 
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment of approved 
grant objectives.
    We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for this program 
in the Federal Register on March 25, 2004 (69 FR 15305). This Notice of 
Final Priorities (NFP) contains no significant differences from the 
NPP.

Analysis of Comments and Changes

    In response to our invitation in the NPP, we received six comments. 
An analysis of the comments and any changes in the priorities since 
publication of the NPP is in the Appendix at the end of this notice.

    Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use one or more of these priorities, we invite 
applications through a notice in the Federal Register. When inviting 
applications we designate each priority as absolute, competitive 
preference, or invitational. The effect of each type of priority 
follows:

    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by either 
(1) awarding additional points, depending on how well or the extent to 
which the application meets the competitive priority (34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting an application that meets the 
competitive priority over an application of comparable merit that does 
not meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
    Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that meet the invitational 
priority. However, we do not give an application that meets the 
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).

    Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom 
Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the 
following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/.

    These final priorities are in concert with NIDRR's 1999-2003 Long-
Range Plan (Plan). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many issues 
relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. While 
applicants will find many sections throughout the Plan that support 
potential research to be conducted under these final priorities, a 
specific reference is included for each priority presented in this 
notice. The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: 
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html.
    Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: 
(1) Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation 
research; (2) foster an exchange of expertise, information, and 
training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding 
of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) 
determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation 
outcomes for underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) 
identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) 
disseminate findings.

Priorities

    The Assistant Secretary announces three priorities for the funding 
of RRTCs that will focus on improved outcomes measures, health status, 
and rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury to facilitate 
the ability of individuals with disabilities to live in the community. 
Applicants must select and focus research on one of the following 
priorities: Priority 1--Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes and 
Effectiveness; Priority 2--Health and

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Wellness in Long-Term Disability; or Priority 3--Traumatic Brain Injury 
(TBI) Interventions. Under each of these priorities, the RRTC must:
    (1) Contribute substantially to the scientific knowledge-base 
relevant to its respective subject area;
    (2) Research, develop, and evaluate interventions or tools to 
assist with outcomes for its focus area;
    (3) Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive plan for 
training critical stakeholders (e.g., consumers/family members, 
practitioners, service providers, researchers, and policymakers);
    (4) Provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to critical 
stakeholders (e.g., consumers/family members, practitioners, and 
service providers) to facilitate utilization of research findings in 
its respective area of research; and
    (5) Develop a systematic plan for focused dissemination of 
informational materials based on knowledge gained from the RRTC's 
research activities, and disseminate the materials to persons with 
disabilities, their representatives, service providers, and other 
interested parties.
    In addition to these activities, under each of the priorities, the 
RRTC must:
     Conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its 
respective area of research in the third year of the grant cycle and 
publish a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference 
in the fourth year of the grant cycle. This conference must include 
materials from experts internal and external to the RRTC;
     Coordinate on research projects of mutual interest with 
relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through consultation with 
the NIDRR project officer;
     Involve individuals with disabilities in planning and 
implementing its research, training, and dissemination activities, and 
in evaluating the RRTC;
     Demonstrate in its application how it will address, in 
whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from 
minority backgrounds; and
     Articulate goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for 
the proposed research activities. It is critical that proposals 
describe expected public benefits, especially benefits for individuals 
with disabilities, and propose projects that are designed to 
demonstrate outcomes that are consistent with the proposed goals. 
Applicants must include information describing how they will measure 
outcomes, including the indicators that will represent the end-result, 
the mechanisms that will be used to evaluate outcomes associated with 
specific problems or issues, and how the proposed activities will 
support new intervention approaches and strategies, including a 
discussion of measures of effectiveness.

Priorities

    An applicant under this program must focus research on one of the 
following priorities:

Priority 1--Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes and Effectiveness

    This center must conduct research to advance the field of medical 
rehabilitation by increasing the utility, efficiency, and relevance of 
its outcomes measurement tools and processes. The research funded under 
this priority must be designed to contribute to the following outcomes:
     Improved measurement tools that can be used to track the 
outcomes of individuals across a wide variety of rehabilitation 
settings.
     Improved measurement tools that incorporate consumer 
perspectives to assess long-term community integration outcomes within 
a comprehensive model for evaluating rehabilitation effectiveness, such 
as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and 
Health (ICF).
     Increased efficiency of rehabilitation outcomes data 
collection, through the application of strategies such as item response 
theory and computer adaptive testing techniques.
     Identification of effective methods for translating 
outcomes data into information that can be utilized to inform decisions 
made by key rehabilitation stakeholders, including consumers, payers, 
provider organizations, and clinicians.
    The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 4, 
Health and Function: Research on Rehabilitation Outcomes, pp. 49-50.

Priority 2--Health and Wellness in Long-Term Disability

    This center must conduct research that will help to overcome the 
health disparities of individuals with disabilities compared to 
individuals without disabilities. The research funded under this 
priority must be designed to contribute to the following outcomes:
     Identification of strategies to overcome barriers that 
impede access to routine healthcare for individuals with disabilities.
     Identification of interventions in areas such as exercise, 
nutrition, pain management, or complementary and alternative therapies, 
that promote health and wellness and minimize the occurrence of 
secondary conditions for persons with disabilities.
     Improved health status measurement tool(s) to assess 
health and well-being of individuals with disabilities regardless of 
functional ability.
    The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 4, 
Health and Function: Health Care at the Individual Level; Health Care 
at the Systems Level, pp. 42-43.

Priority 3--Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Interventions

    This center must conduct research to improve long-term outcomes for 
persons with TBI. The research funded under this priority must be 
designed to contribute to one of the following outcomes:
     Identification of interventions that demonstrate efficacy, 
or effectiveness, or both, in promoting improved rehabilitation 
outcomes for adults with TBI; or
     Identification of interventions that demonstrate either 
efficacy, or effectiveness, or both, in promoting improved 
rehabilitation outcomes for children (under age 16) with TBI.
    In addition, for either adults or children, the research funded 
under this priority must be designed to develop and evaluate improved 
techniques for assessing outcomes associated with TBI.
    The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 4, 
Health and Function: Research on Trauma Rehabilitation, p. 47.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice of final priorities has been reviewed in accordance 
with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order, we have 
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action.
    The potential costs associated with the notice of final priorities 
are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have 
determined as necessary for administering this program effectively and 
efficiently.
    In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative 
and qualitative--of this notice of final priorities, we have determined 
that the benefits of the final priorities justify the costs.
    Summary of potential costs and benefits: The potential costs 
associated with these final priorities are minimal while the benefits 
are significant. Grantees may anticipate costs associated with 
completing the application process in terms of staff time, copying, and 
mailing or delivery. The use of e-

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Application technology reduces mailing and copying costs significantly.
    The benefits of the RRTC Program have been well established over 
the years in that similar projects have been completed successfully. 
These final priorities will generate new knowledge through research, 
dissemination, utilization, training, and technical assistance 
projects.
    The benefit of these final priorities and project requirements will 
be the establishment of new RRTCs that generate, disseminate, and 
promote the use of new information to improve options and participation 
in the community for individuals with disabilities.
    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 Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: 
www.ed.gov/news/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: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133B, 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Program)

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).

    Dated: June 7, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.

Apppendix--Analysis of Comments and Changes

    We discuss substantive issues under the title of the priority to 
which they pertain. Generally, we do not address technical and other 
minor changes and suggested changes we are not authorized to make 
under the applicable statutory authority.

General

    Comment: One commenter praised NIDRR for requiring that RRTCs 
articulate goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for the proposed 
research activities, but expressed concern about the lack of review 
criteria by which such activities can be reviewed objectively. The 
commenter suggested that the criteria be added or that these 
outcomes be treated as a competitive preference priority.
    Discussion: The Department's regulations in CFR 350.54 contain 
objective criteria by which applicants' articulation of goals, 
objectives, and expected outcomes are reviewed through our peer 
review process.
    Changes: None.

Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes and Effectiveness

    Comment: One commenter suggested that requiring applicants to 
address all four outcomes specified for this priority will result in 
pedestrian projects and suggested that applicants be allowed to 
chose a subset, perhaps no more than two of these outcomes, on which 
to concentrate.
    Discussion: NIDRR thinks that the first three outcomes listed 
under the priority are interrelated and that it would diminish the 
usefulness of the proposed center to allow applicants to 
disaggregate the topics. The fourth outcome addresses the 
utilization of outcomes data. NIDRR is committed to ensuring 
utilization of research findings as documented in its Long Range 
Plan. Outcomes data can influence service delivery decisions, 
service quality, and payment. For this reason, NIDRR wants to 
conduct research that facilitates use of outcomes findings by key 
stakeholders.
    Changes: None.

Health and Wellness in Long-Term Disability

    Comment: One commenter asked whether NIDRR considers mental 
health disorders as long-term primary disabling conditions.
    Discussion: NIDRR does consider mental health disorders as long-
term primary disabling conditions.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter requested that NIDRR define long-term 
disabilities for the purpose of a competition under this program.
    Discussion: Long-term disability has established definitions in 
a number of different contexts. Applicants are free to choose a 
definition, provided they give justification for the definition 
used. Applicants may specify uses of the term and applicable 
reference for the purposes of their proposal. The peer review 
process will evaluate merits of the proposals.
    Changes: None.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Interventions

    Comment: One commenter requested that the TBI interventions 
priority encourage the use of the ICF to assess functional outcomes 
in treatment of TBI.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the ICF is an important framework 
for use in assessing functional outcomes in treatment of TBI; 
however, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all applicants use 
this framework. Nothing in the priority precludes an applicant from 
suggesting such an approach. The peer review process will evaluate 
the merits of the applicant's proposal.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the TBI intervention 
priority should require applicants to identify or evaluate 
methodological issues that affect the ability to conduct research 
and to demonstrate the efficacy or effectiveness, or both, of this 
research.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that better understanding of 
methodological issues that affect the ability to conduct research is 
important; however, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all 
applicants address this issue. Nothing in the priority precludes an 
applicant from incorporating such study in the proposed research 
approach. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the 
applicant's proposal.
    Changes: None.
[FR Doc. 04-13238 Filed 6-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P