[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21613-21614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8691]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
(NIDRR)

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

ACTION: Request for written input.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services requests written input regarding NIDRR's long-
range plan for fiscal years 2010-2014 (the 2010-2014 Plan). The purpose 
of this solicitation is to obtain ideas from the public on the content 
and direction of the new NIDRR 2010-2014 Plan.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before May 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Address all written input to Donna Nangle, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6029, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2700. If you prefer to send your input 
through the Internet, please submit it at the following Web site http://www.neweditions.net/NIDRRLRP, or use the following e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you submit your written input through the Internet, identify the 
specific topic of your input in the subject line of your electronic 
message from among the following: employment outcomes; participation 
and community living; health and function; technology; and 
demographics. If you are submitting general input, please use the term 
``General'' in the subject line of your electronic message. Please 
limit your input to no more than two single-spaced pages. Please submit 
your input only once to ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 245-
7462 or by e-mail: [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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    As authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act) (29 U.S.C. 760-762), NIDRR's mission is--
     To generate new knowledge and to promote its effective use 
to improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities to perform 
activities of their choice in the community, including the pursuit of 
employment; and
     To expand society's capacity to provide full opportunities 
and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
    Pursuant to section 202(h) of the Act (29 U.S.C. 762(h)), the 
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
periodically publishes a five-year plan that outlines NIDRR's upcoming 
priorities for rehabilitation research, demonstration projects, 
training, and related activities, and explains the basis for these 
priorities. NIDRR's long-range plan for fiscal years 2005-2009 (2005-
2009 Plan) was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2006 
(71 FR 8165) and can be accessed on the Internet at the following Web 
site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.

    Note: Individuals with disabilities may also obtain a copy of 
the 2005-2009 Plan in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    NIDRR held a public meeting on March 19, 2008 that was accessible 
by Webcast via the Internet or by participating in a toll-free 
teleconference. A transcript and an archive of this Webcast are 
available at: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/doed/080319.

Development of the 2010-2014 Plan

    NIDRR has begun the process of preparing the 2010-2014 Plan, and is 
interested in receiving, among other things, suggestions for research 
topics that are consistent with its mission for fiscal years 2010 
through 2014.
    As NIDRR works to develop the 2010-2014 Plan, the Assistant 
Secretary would like feedback from the public that includes, but is not 
limited to, suggestions for research:
     That would address the current needs of, or emerging 
issues facing, individuals with disabilities.
     that could help improve employment outcomes for 
individuals with disabilities.
     that could improve the programs of the Office of Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, including its vocational 
rehabilitation and independent living programs.
    NIDRR is also seeking input on:
     What strategies might be effective in building capacity in 
the area of disability and rehabilitation research.

[[Page 21614]]

     What NIDRR can do to ensure that its research and 
development activities produce results that can help improve the lives 
of individuals with disabilities.
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department 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.


    Dated: April 17, 2008.
Tracy R. Justesen,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E8-8691 Filed 4-21-08; 8:45 am]
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