[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23845-23849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8997]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

RIN 1820 ZA36


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

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

ACTION: Notice of final priorities for knowledge dissemination and 
utilization projects.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces two knowledge dissemination and 
utilization (KDU) priorities under the National Institute on Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research Projects (DRRP) program. The Assistant Secretary may use these 
priorities for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2005 and later years. 
We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need. 
We intend these priorities to improve rehabilitation outcomes for 
individuals with disabilities.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities are effective June 6, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7462 or via Internet: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    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:

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program

    The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research,

[[Page 23846]]

demonstration projects, training, and related activities that help to 
maximize the full inclusion and integration of individuals with 
disabilities into society and to improve the effectiveness of services 
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
    Under the DRRP program, we define a development activity as using 
knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, 
devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target population, 
including design and development of prototypes and processes (34 CFR 
350.16). We define a dissemination activity as the systematic 
distribution of information or knowledge through a variety of ways to 
potential users or beneficiaries (34 CFR 350.18). We define a technical 
assistance activity as the provision of expertise or information for 
use in problem-solving (34 CFR 350.19).

Background

    KDU projects ensure widespread distribution, in usable formats, of 
practical scientific and technological information generated by 
research, development, and demonstration projects. The effective 
dissemination and utilization of disability and rehabilitation research 
results are critical to achieving NIDRR's mission. Research findings 
can improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and further 
their full inclusion into society. These benefits are feasible only if 
the findings and technologies are available to, known by, and 
accessible to potential users.
    NIDRR is particularly interested in ensuring that information to be 
disseminated is of high quality and is based on scientifically rigorous 
research and development and that potential users have the information 
they need to judge the quality of research and development findings and 
products and the relevance of these findings and products to their 
particular needs. End-users with limited scientific training, in 
particular, may need assistance in order to understand competing 
research claims or determine the relevance of particular findings to 
their individual situations. In addition, given the nature of 
scientific study, practical information often is based on cumulative 
knowledge, not upon the results of any one study. Therefore, we 
encourage potential applicants to examine procedures used by such 
organizations as the Campbell Collaboration (http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/), the Cochrane Collaboration (http://www.cochrane.org/), and the Department of Education What Works 
Clearinghouse (http://www.w-w-c.org/) when designing synthesis and 
dissemination activities. NIDRR is committed to establishing high-
quality procedures for the dissemination of information from 
rehabilitation and disability research and development projects and 
will be working, together with its grantees, to identify standards to 
guide its work in this area.

Analysis of Comments and Changes

    We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for this program 
in the Federal Register on August 27, 2004 (69 FR 52651). This notice 
of final priorities (NFP) contains a number of substantive differences 
from the NPP. We discuss these changes in the Analysis of Comments and 
Changes section published as an appendix to this notice. After further 
review of the structure of the priority language in the NPP, we believe 
that it would be clearer to characterize the requirements under the 
topic areas as separate priorities rather than topic areas. This change 
in the structure of the priority language does not substantively change 
the requirements proposed in the NPP.


    Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use either of these final 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 the 
activities to be conducted under these final priorities, specific 
references to the topics of the priorities are included elsewhere 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 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 for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services will use two priorities, Priority #1--International Exchange 
of Information and Experts in Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
and Priority #2--Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional 
Organizations and Stakeholders, to fund up to two DRRPs to identify or 
develop dissemination methods and provide technical assistance that 
focus on innovative knowledge sharing solutions to improve the lives of 
persons with disabilities. The goal of the KDU projects is to provide 
end-users with the information they need to make choices based on high-
quality scientific research and development. Under each of these 
priorities, the KDU project, in consultation with the NIDRR project 
officer, must:
    (1) Identify topic areas and target audiences, which must include 
people with disabilities and their families;
    (2) Help NIDRR identify standards to guide the systematic review 
and synthesis of disability and rehabilitation research and development 
studies;
    (3) Help NIDRR identify research syntheses in selected topic areas 
and make this information available, in preferred formats, to the 
target audiences; and
    (4) Help NIDRR identify or develop effective and cost-effective 
outreach strategies to provide target audiences with evidence-based 
information, and determine whether and how the information is used.
    In carrying out these requirements within either priority, each KDU 
project also must:

[[Page 23847]]

     Involve, as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or 
their family members, or both, in all aspects of the design and 
development of dissemination activities;
     Demonstrate how the project will yield measurable results 
for people with disabilities;
     Identify specific performance targets and propose outcome 
indicators, along with timelines to reach these targets; and
     Coordinate with other NIDRR-funded KDU projects as 
identified through consultation with the NIDRR project officer.
    A project must focus on one of the following priority areas:
    Priority 1--International Exchange of Information and Experts in 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research: The purpose of a project under 
this priority is to improve the exchange of disability and 
rehabilitation research and development information between the United 
States and other countries in order to develop new knowledge and 
methods in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities in the 
United States, share information found useful in other nations, and 
increase the skill levels of rehabilitation personnel. Under this 
priority, the KDU project must:
     Develop innovative methods for compiling and exchanging 
information between the United States and other nations on 
rehabilitation research and development, as well as information on 
disability policies that maximize the full inclusion, social 
integration, employment, and independent living of individuals of all 
ages with disabilities.
     Provide targeted outreach to and obtain insight from 
sources such as researchers; consumers; and voluntary, non-profit, and 
philanthropic organizations that are operating programs related to 
disability and rehabilitation research in other nations.
     Conduct at least one rehabilitation research information 
conference per funding cycle involving participants from the United 
States and other countries to provide state-of-the-art information on 
international rehabilitation research efforts and policies that affect 
people with disabilities.
     Conduct an international exchange of researchers and 
technical assistance experts between other countries and the United 
States to provide firsthand experiences in cross-cultural communication 
and to form alliances for collaborative research or information 
sharing.
    The reference to the topic of this priority may be found in the 
Plan, Chapter 10, Enhancing NIDRR's Management of Research.
    Priority 2--Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional 
Organizations and Stakeholders: The purpose of a project under this 
priority is to disseminate information on disability and rehabilitation 
research and development findings to a particular constituency by using 
organizations that serve that constituency as intermediaries. Such 
organizations, because they have established strategies for providing 
information to their constituencies--e.g., conferences, newsletters, 
and workshops--may represent an effective means of dissemination. Under 
this priority, the KDU project must:
     Produce information digests that will be suitable for 
further dissemination through the partner organizations.
     Be knowledgeable about the target audiences represented by 
the organizations.
     Develop innovative means of communication with the 
community served by the organizations.
     Serve as an information conduit for interactive 
discussions with the organizations that will help inform future NIDRR 
research priorities and disseminate the findings of NIDRR-sponsored 
research.
    The reference to the topic of this priority may be found in the 
Plan, Chapter 8, Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization, and Chapter 
10, Enhancing NIDRR's Management of Research.

Executive Order 12866

    This NFP 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 NFP 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 NFP, 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 incur some costs associated with 
completing the application process in terms of staff time, copying, and 
mailing or delivery. The use of e-Application technology reduces 
mailing and copying costs significantly.
    The benefits of the DRRP Program have been well established over 
the years. Similar projects have been completed successfully and have 
produced findings that help improve the lives of individuals with 
disabilities. These final priorities will generate new strategies for 
disseminating findings from disability and rehabilitation research and 
development that will improve the full integration of individuals with 
disabilities into society.
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may view 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: 
http://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: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

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

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

    Dated: April 29, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Appendix--Analysis of Comments and Changes

    In response to our invitation in the NPP, we received nine 
comments. An analysis of the comments and of the changes in the 
priorities since publication of the NPP follows. We discuss 
substantive issues that apply to both priorities under the heading 
General and other 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: Four commenters suggested that combining the 
requirements for drafting standards and conducting research 
syntheses would be problematic because it could lead

[[Page 23848]]

to the development of conflicting standards and dissemination of 
conflicting information through different forms of media.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that coordinated efforts among relevant 
agencies, groups, and organizations are needed. NIDRR also believes 
that it is appropriate to add the term ``identify'' to the priority 
requirements in recognition of the many effective KDU strategies in 
use for research and development products.
    Change: The third activity has been deleted and the second, 
fourth, and fifth activities, which are now the second, third, and 
fourth activities, have been changed so they read: ``Help NIDRR 
identify standards'', ``Help NIDRR identify research syntheses'' 
and, ``Help NIDRR identify or develop effective and cost-effective 
outreach strategies.'' In addition, a bullet has been added to the 
additional requirements to ``Coordinate with other NIDRR funded KDU 
projects.'' NIDRR anticipates that a national KDU technical 
assistance project (which it plans to fund under a separate priority 
that is being proposed in a notice of proposed priority published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register) will help projects 
with the tasks outlined in these priorities and lessen the 
possibility of conflicting evidence grading methods or duplication 
of efforts.
    Comment: One commenter believes that a three-year project period 
for a funded KDU project under one of these priorities would be too 
short to accomplish the tasks outlined in the proposed priorities.
    Discussion: The length of the project period is not part of the 
NPP and therefore is not subject to public comment.
    Change: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the KDU projects funded 
under these priorities should be required to coordinate standards 
development and topic selection, along with a steering committee not 
associated with a particular discipline. The commenter also 
suggested that an outside committee be a part of the coordination of 
standards development and topic selection process to avoid the 
appearance of bias.
    Discussion: As revised, these priorities now require applicants 
to help NIDRR identify standards and develop technical assistance in 
the use of the standards. NIDRR anticipates that the national KDU 
technical assistance project, which NIDRR intends to fund under a 
separate priority that is being proposed in a notice of proposed 
priority published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, 
will help projects with the tasks outlined in these priorities and 
improve coordination of NIDRR KDU activities. Applicants can propose 
coordinated efforts. The peer review process will evaluate the 
merits of the activities proposed.
    Change: None.
    Comment: One commenter proposed that there be only one center 
for standards development, coordination, and technical evidence 
synthesis products and that this one center should involve a range 
of stakeholders.
    Discussion: NIDRR anticipates that the national KDU technical 
assistance project, which it intends to fund under a separate 
priority that is being proposed in a notice of proposed priority 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, will help 
NIDRR and its grantees address issues relating to the identification 
of standards, and the development of evidence-based synthesis 
products.
    Change: None.
    Comment: None.
    Discussion: The term ``evidence-based'' is a generally accepted 
technical term that is widely used in the field of disability and 
rehabilitation research in reference to the assessment of the 
quality of research findings. Information for readers who are 
interested in this topic may be found on numerous internet sites 
including: http://www.excelgov.org/display content.asp?keyword=prppc 
HomePage and http://www.ncddr.org/du/ researchexchange/ v08n02/.
    Change: In order to make the goals of these priorities to 
provide end-users with high-quality scientific research and 
development more understandable, the term ``evidence-based'' has 
been substituted for the term ``research-based'' in 4 of 
the general requirements.
    Comment: Commenters expressed concern that the priority areas 
emphasized by NIDRR in the NPP are really means of dissemination 
rather than areas of focus. In addition, one commenter felt that it 
would better serve NIDRR's purpose to have each KDU project include 
all methods of dissemination established under the priorities.
    Discussion: NIDRR's KDU projects and activities address a wide 
range of topics and methods. The priorities in this notice as well 
as ongoing and possible future activities reflect this range. This 
notice includes both general requirements common to all projects 
applying for funding under one of the priorities as well as specific 
methods and target audiences required under each individual 
priority. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the 
approaches proposed.
    Change: None.
    Comment: One commenter felt that it is not beneficial to ``serve 
only one particular constituency and one organization.'' Due to the 
multi-disciplinary nature of rehabilitation research and the type of 
expertise resident in NIDRR's large centers, such as Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering 
Research Centers, this would be detrimental.
    Discussion: Nothing in these priorities requires a KDU project 
to serve a single constituency and organization. Applicants can 
propose working with certain disability organizations or groups of 
organizations. The peer review will evaluate the merits of the 
approaches proposed in each application.
    Change: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the priority for the 
professional organization and stakeholder group should take the lead 
in coordinating activities among the priorities.
    Discussion: NIDRR believes that there is no basis for giving one 
project funded under these priorities a special role in 
coordination. The national KDU project, which NIDRR intends to fund 
under a separate priority that is being proposed in a notice of 
proposed priority published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register, will provide needed coordination among these and other 
NIDRR grantees.
    Change: None.

Dissemination Using the Mainstream Media

    Comment: Three commenters expressed support for this priority 
and strongly urged NIDRR to fund a priority to increase the use of 
the mainstream media for dissemination.
    Discussion: NIDRR takes note of the support for this priority, 
but has decided not to finalize the Dissemination Using the 
Mainstream Media priority in this notice.
    Change: We are not including the Dissemination Using the 
Mainstream Media priority in this notice.

International Exchange of Information and Experts in Rehabilitation and 
Independent Living

    Comment: One commenter stressed the need for the proposed 
international exchange activity to benefit the field of 
rehabilitation in the United States.
    Discussion: We agree with the commenter that the proposed 
international exchange activity must benefit the field of 
rehabilitation in the United States. However, no change is necessary 
because we believe the wording of the priority already clearly 
states this requirement.
    Change: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that rather than name the types 
of organizations that might be involved in international exchanges, 
more general language should be used.
    Discussion: The language was not meant to restrict the 
individuals, agencies, or organizations with which the applicant 
might propose to work.
    Change: The second activity bullet under this priority has been 
changed to include the words ``sources such as'' before the 
illustrative list of individuals and organizations with which 
applicants may work.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the title of the proposed 
priority not use the term ``independent living'' which may have 
different meanings in other cultures. In addition, the commenter 
suggested that the use of this term may limit information from other 
areas of the Plan, such as Health and Function, Employment, 
Technology, etc.
    Discussion: NIDRR believes independent living is an important 
area for inclusion in international literature. In including 
independent living in the title of the priority, NIDRR did not 
intend to limit the areas of research or exchange that might be 
proposed. The applicant can propose a project relating to any of the 
areas in the Plan. To address the concern expressed in comments that 
specifying independent living in the priority title may give 
disproportionate attention to that topic, a more general title will 
be used. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the 
approaches proposed in each application.
    Changes: The title of this priority has been changed to read 
``International Exchange of Information and Experts in Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research.''

[[Page 23849]]

Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional Organizations and 
Stakeholders

    Comment: One commenter expressed strong support for the proposed 
priority on ``Innovative KDU for Disability and Professional 
Organizations and Stakeholders.''
    Discussion: NIDRR takes note of this support.
    Change: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that evidence-based products 
developed by and for a single professional or consumer organization 
might be considered biased. It was suggested that the language be 
changed from ``particular constituency'' to ``relevant 
constituency'' or ``stakeholder constituencies.''
    Discussion: NIDRR believes that the word ``particular adequately 
describes the intent of this priority. The peer review process will 
evaluate the merits of the approaches proposed.
    Change: None.
[FR Doc. 05-8997 Filed 5-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P