[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 93 (Friday, May 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27324-27327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11618]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
(NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers 
Program--Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP)--
International Exchange of Knowledge and Experts in Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133A-6.

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed priority for a DRRP.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority for the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by 
NIDRR. Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for a DRRP. The 
Assistant Secretary may use this priority for a competition in fiscal 
year (FY) 2010 and later years. We take this action to focus research 
attention on areas of national need. We intend this priority to improve 
rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before June 14, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about this notice to Marlene Spencer, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5133, 
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2700.
    If you prefer to send your comments by e-mail, use the following 
address: [email protected]. You must include ``Proposed Priority 
for a DRRP on International Exchange of Knowledge and Experts'' in the 
subject line of your electronic message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer. Telephone: (202) 245-
7532 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

[[Page 27325]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of proposed priority is in 
concert with NIDRR's Final Long-Range Plan for FY 2005-2009 (Plan). The 
Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2006 
(71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: 
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.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.
    This notice proposes a priority that NIDRR intends to use for DRRP 
competitions in FY 2010 and possibly later years. However, nothing 
precludes NIDRR from publishing additional priorities, if needed. 
Furthermore, NIDRR is under no obligation to make an award for this 
priority. The decision to make an award will be based on the quality of 
applications received and available funding.
    Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding 
this notice. To ensure that your comments have maximum effect in 
developing the notice of final priority, we urge you to identify 
clearly the specific topic that each comment addresses.
    We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific 
requirements of Executive Order 12866 and its overall requirement of 
reducing regulatory burden that might result from this proposed 
priority. Please let us know of any further ways we could reduce 
potential costs or increase potential benefits while preserving the 
effective and efficient administration of the program.
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about this proposed priority in room 5133, 550 12th Street, 
SW., Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Washington, DC time, Monday through Friday of each 
week except Federal holidays.
    Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the 
Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate 
accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who 
needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the 
public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an 
appointment for this type of accommodation or auxiliary aid, please 
contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program is to plan and 
conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related 
activities, including international activities, to 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, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized 
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act).
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(6).
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    Proposed Priority:
    This notice contains one proposed priority. International Exchange 
of Knowledge and Experts in Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

Background

    The Rehabilitation Act provides that NIDRR may award grants to 
conduct a program for international rehabilitation research, 
demonstration, and training (29 U.S.C. 764(b)(6)). The purposes of 
NIDRR's international disability and rehabilitation research program 
are to--
    1. Develop new knowledge and methods in the rehabilitation of 
individuals with disabilities in the United States;
    2. Cooperate with and assist in developing and sharing information 
found useful in other nations in the rehabilitation of individuals with 
disabilities; and
    3. Initiate a program to exchange experts and technical assistance 
in the field of rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities with 
other nations as a means of increasing the levels of skill of 
rehabilitation personnel.
    The international program is a component of NIDRR's overall 
knowledge translation (KT) effort. NIDRR adopted the conceptual 
framework of KT to help guide its efforts to promote the effective use 
of high-quality findings from disability and rehabilitation research 
and development (R&D). In this regard, KT refers to a multidimensional, 
active process of ensuring that new knowledge and products gained via 
R&D will be used to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities 
and to promote their full participation in society. KT includes the 
assessment of research findings to ensure that information to be 
disseminated is based on scientifically rigorous research and is 
relevant to key stakeholders (e.g., rehabilitation service providers, 
educators, clinicians, and individuals with disabilities and their 
families). We have incorporated these core elements into this proposed 
priority.
    For more than two decades, NIDRR has promoted the sharing of 
information and products generated by disability and rehabilitation R&D 
in the United States (U.S.) and other countries. For example, NIDRR has 
sponsored the development of the Database of International 
Rehabilitation Research at the Center for International Rehabilitation 
Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE, 2009). This database 
includes almost 90,000 citations from international rehabilitation 
research projects conducted outside of the U.S. (CIRRIE, 2009). It has 
been used as a source of data for systematic reviews on diverse 
disability and rehabilitation topics, such as virtual reality training 
applications (Erren-Wolters, van Dijk, de Kort, Ijzerman, & Jannink, 
2007) and best practices for treating individuals with hip fracture 
(Beaupre, Jones, Saunders, Johnston, Buckingham, & Majumdar, 2005).
    NIDRR funding of international R&D activities also has led to new 
methods for providing access to prosthetics (Wu, Casanova, & Smith, 
2004) and wheelchairs (Armstrong, Reisinger, & Smith, 2007) for 
individuals with disabilities in developing countries. Additionally, 
NIDRR has sponsored the exchange of researchers between the U.S. and 
other countries to share international perspectives on the experience 
of individuals with disabilities and on the research approaches for 
creating knowledge to promote the independence and well being of 
individuals with disabilities (see CIRRIE, 2009).
    The knowledge base generated by disability and rehabilitation 
researchers is growing in the U.S. and in other countries. New and 
improved methods for the efficient international exchange of this 
information and expertise will help shape future disability and 
rehabilitation R&D and will facilitate research-based rehabilitation 
practice in the U.S. and in other countries.

References

Armstrong, W., Reisinger, K., & Smith, W.

[[Page 27326]]

(2007). Evaluation of CIR-whirlwind wheelchair and service provision 
in Afghanistan. Disability and Rehabilitation, 29(11-12), 935-948.
Beaupre, L., Jones, C., Saunders, L., Johnston, D., Buckingham, J., 
& Majumdar, S. (2005). Best practices for elderly hip fracture 
patients: A systematic overview of the evidence. Journal of General 
Internal Medicine, 20(11), 1019-1025.
CIRRIE. (2009). Center for International Rehabilitation Research 
Information and Exchange. See http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/index.php.
Erron-Wolters, C., Van Dijk, H., de Kort, A., Ijzerman, M., & 
Jannink, M. (2007). Virtual reality for mobility devices: Training 
applications and clinical results: A review. International Journal 
of Rehabilitation Research, 30, 91-96.
Wu, Y., Casanova, H., Smith, W. (2004). CIR casting system: A new 
approach for making transtibial sockets. Technical Brief, from 
REHABDATA database. See http://www.naric.com/research/record.cfm?search=2&rec=103139.
    Proposed Priority: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education 
and Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority for a Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) to serve as a Center for 
International Exchange of Knowledge and Experts in Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research (Center). This Center must promote improved 
education, employment, health, and community living outcomes for 
individuals with disabilities by developing and implementing methods 
for the international exchange of knowledge generated by disability and 
rehabilitation research and development (R&D). Under this priority, the 
Center must contribute to the following outcomes:
    (a) A well-maintained, publicly accessible, and searchable database 
containing citations of publications from disability and rehabilitation 
R&D that was conducted in other countries. The Center must contribute 
to this outcome by assuming the operation of an existing database 
presently operated by the Center for International Rehabilitation 
Research Exchange (CIRRIE). The Center must establish sound strategies 
and approaches to ensure that the database is comprehensive, easy to 
use, and up-to-date at all times.
    (b) Improved methods for the identification and domestic 
dissemination of findings from R&D generated by disability and 
rehabilitation R&D personnel in other countries. The Center must 
contribute to this outcome by developing or identifying, evaluating, 
and applying methods for the identification of research findings to be 
disseminated in the U.S. The application of these methods must lead to 
information on the methodological rigor with which the R&D was 
conducted, as well as the relevance of findings to U.S. stakeholders 
(e.g., researchers, rehabilitation service providers, educators, 
clinicians, and individuals with disabilities and their families). The 
Center also must identify or develop, and then evaluate and implement, 
sustainable methods for domestic dissemination of relevant findings 
produced by disability and rehabilitation R&D personnel from other 
countries. Given the breadth of disability and rehabilitation R&D 
conducted in countries outside of the U.S. and the large number of 
countries or global regions that produce disability and rehabilitation 
R&D, applicants must propose and justify the specific substantive area 
of disability and rehabilitation research upon which they will focus. 
Applicants must also propose and justify the countries or global 
regions they will target as the sources of disability and 
rehabilitation R&D.
    (c) Improved cross-cultural and cross-national awareness and 
expertise among personnel from NIDRR-funded grants. The Center must 
contribute to this outcome by administering an international exchange 
of R&D personnel from NIDRR-funded projects and disability and 
rehabilitation R&D personnel from other countries. The Center must 
establish criteria for reviewing and selecting personnel to participate 
in the exchange. These criteria must emphasize the extent to which 
proposed exchanges will promote cross-cultural and cross-national 
awareness and expertise among NIDRR grantees and contribute to the 
quality and relevance of disability and rehabilitation research 
conducted in the U.S.

Types of Priorities

    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. 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 (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) 
selecting an application that meets the 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 priority. 
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a 
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
    Final Priority: We will announce the final priority in a notice in 
the Federal Register. We will determine the final priority after 
considering responses to this notice and other information available to 
the Department. This notice does not preclude us from proposing 
additional priorities, requirements, definitions, or selection 
criteria, subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.

    Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through 
a notice in the Federal Register.

    Executive Order 12866: This notice 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 proposed regulatory 
action.
    The potential costs associated with this proposed regulatory action 
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 proposed regulatory action, we have determined 
that the benefits of the proposed priority justify the costs.
    Discussion of Costs and Benefits: The benefits of the Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Programs have been 
well established over the years in that similar projects have been 
completed successfully. This proposed priority will generate new 
knowledge through research and development. Another benefit of this 
proposed priority is that the establishment of a new DRRP will improve 
the lives of individuals with disabilities. The new DRRP will generate, 
disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will improve 
the options for individuals with disabilities to perform regular 
activities in the community.
    Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in

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an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or 
computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts Services 
Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 
5075, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you 
use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    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.

    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: May 11, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-11618 Filed 5-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P