[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37090-37094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15932]



[[Page 37090]]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA Numbers 84.133E-1 and 84.133E-3]


Final Priorities; Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
and Centers Program

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

ACTION: Notice of final priorities for two Rehabilitation Engineering 
Research Centers (RERCs).

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces two priorities for RERCs: Low Vision 
and Blindness (Priority 1) and Wireless Technologies (Priority 2). The 
Assistant Secretary may use these priorities for competitions in fiscal 
year (FY) 2011 and later years. We take this action to focus research 
attention on areas of national need. We intend to use these priorities 
to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with 
disabilities.

DATES: Effective Date: These priorities are effective July 25, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5133, Potomac Center Plaza 
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. 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, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of final priorities (NFP) is in 
concert with National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research's (NIDRR's) currently approved Long-Range Plan (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 the 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 announces two priorities that NIDRR intends to use for 
RERC competitions in FY 2011 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 these 
priorities. The decision to make an award will be based on the quality 
of applications received and available funding.
    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).

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program (RERCs)

    The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of 
services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced 
engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that 
are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems, or to remove 
environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such 
technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the 
production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the 
private sector, and provide training opportunities.

General Requirements of RERCs

    RERCs carry out research or demonstration activities in support of 
the Rehabilitation Act by--
     Developing and disseminating innovative methods of 
applying advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological 
and social knowledge to solve rehabilitation problems and to remove 
environmental barriers through studying and evaluating new or emerging 
technologies, products, or environments and their effectiveness and 
benefits; or
     Demonstrating and disseminating: (a) Innovative models for 
the delivery of cost-effective rehabilitation technology services to 
rural and urban areas; and (b) other scientific research to assist in 
meeting the employment and independent living needs of individuals with 
severe disabilities; and
     Facilitating service delivery systems change through: (a) 
The development, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative, consumer-
responsive, and individual- and family-centered models for the delivery 
to both rural and urban areas of innovative cost-effective 
rehabilitation technology services; and (b) other scientific research 
to assist in meeting the employment and independent living needs of and 
addressing the barriers confronted by individuals with disabilities, 
including individuals with severe disabilities.
    Each RERC must be operated by, or in collaboration with, one or 
more institutions of higher education or one or more nonprofit 
organizations.
    Each RERC must provide training opportunities, in conjunction with 
institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations, to assist 
individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to become 
rehabilitation technology researchers and practitioners.
    Each RERC must emphasize the principles of universal design in its 
product research and development. Universal design is the design of 
products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest 
extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design 
(North Carolina State University, 1997, The Center for Universal 
Design, http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/udprinciplestext.htm).
    Additional information on the RERC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3).

    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for NIDRR's 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program in 
the Federal Register on March 29, 2011 (76 FR 17396). That notice 
contained background information and our reasons for proposing the 
particular priorities.
    Public Comment: In response to our invitation in the NPP, five 
parties submitted comments on the proposed priorities.
    Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes. In 
addition, we do not address general comments that raised concerns not 
directly related to the proposed priorities.
    Analysis of Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments and 
of any

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changes in the priorities since publication of the NPP follows.

Low Vision and Blindness

    Comment: One commenter recommended that the Low Vision and 
Blindness priority should emphasize a model of assistive technology 
development in which mainstream, mass-market products are designed with 
accessibility features to meet the needs of individuals with low vision 
and blindness. The commenter noted that this model is more likely to 
lead to low-cost products, relative to the model in which specialized 
products are designed for the relatively small market of individuals 
with low vision and blindness.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the development of mass-marketed 
products with accessibility features can lead to lower costs for 
consumers who are blind or have low vision. The Low Vision and 
Blindness priority provides the flexibility for applicants to propose 
projects that use this kind of mass-market development model. However, 
NIDRR recognizes that a model that focuses on developing other more 
specialized or customized technologies and products may be needed in 
order to develop useful and appropriate technologies and products for 
individuals who are blind or have low vision. For this reason, we also 
provide applicants with the flexibility to use models that focus on 
these technologies and products.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that NIDRR require the RERC to 
work directly with companies that are in a position to manufacture and 
sell products in order to expedite the process of transferring the 
RERC's work to consumers in the market.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that collaborations with companies and 
industry partners can expedite the process of technology transfer. The 
RERC priority requirements, which apply to both the Low Vision and 
Blindness and Wireless Technologies priorities, include a requirement 
to collaborate with relevant industry partners to improve research 
capacity. This collaboration may also expedite the transfer of the 
RERC's work to consumers in the market. In an effort to increase 
transfer of RERC-developed technologies to the marketplace, NIDRR also 
requires RERCs to develop a technology transfer plan in the first year 
of the grant. Therefore, NIDRR believes that an additional requirement 
to collaborate with relevant industry partners is unnecessary. The 
current requirements achieve the commenter's aim of expediting the 
technology transfer process.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the Low Vision and Blindness 
priority include more explicit language about the RERC's role as a 
clearinghouse for information on technologies for individuals who are 
blind or have low vision.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the RERC should have responsibility 
for providing information about technologies for individuals who are 
blind or have low vision. Paragraph (4) of the priority requires each 
RERC to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders about trends 
and evolving product concepts related to its designated topic. 
Paragraph (5) of the priority also requires each RERC to provide 
technical assistance to stakeholders on relevant policies, guidelines, 
and standards related to its designated topic. Finally, the RERC 
priority requirements, which apply to both the Low Vision and Blindness 
and Wireless Technologies priorities, include a requirement that the 
RERC disseminate its research results to relevant stakeholders. For 
these reasons, we believe that this priority provides sufficiently for 
the RERC's role in transmitting information on technologies for 
individuals who are blind or have low vision, and, therefore, decline 
to add more explicit language as requested.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the Low Vision and Blindness 
priority should contain more explicit language about the RERC's 
requirement to collaborate with developers of technology from outside 
the RERC, researchers, and students in the field.
    Discussion: The requirements that are applicable to both RERC 
priorities include a requirement to collaborate with relevant industry 
partners and relevant NIDRR-funded research projects. While the 
priority does not require collaboration with developers of technology 
or with students in the field, nothing in the priority precludes such 
collaborations. NIDRR does not have a sufficient basis for requiring 
all applicants to propose to collaborate with developers from outside 
of the RERC or with students in the field. We believe individual 
projects are well positioned to determine entities with whom to 
collaborate, and this priority provides them with adequate flexibility 
to do so.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern about language in the Low 
Vision and Blindness priority that refers to improved vision assessment 
for the population of individuals who are at risk for experiencing low 
vision and blindness. This commenter stated that such language would 
result in having the RERC focus on prevention of blindness among at-
risk individuals, instead of on assessments and technologies to meet 
the needs of individuals who already experience vision loss.
    Discussion: The priority includes requirements for research and 
development that will improve access to graphical information, signage, 
and travel information and devices, as well as development of 
technologies to promote the participation of individuals with low 
vision and blindness in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) education. In order to facilitate early intervention 
and better outcomes, NIDRR requires the RERC to focus on improved 
vision assessment technologies to improve the field's ability to detect 
and serve emerging populations of individuals who are blind or who have 
low vision. While applicants may develop improved assessment 
technologies that would facilitate prevention of low vision and 
blindness among at-risk populations, the RERC must focus its resources 
on the multiple requirements related to research on and development of 
technologies to promote the independence of individuals who are blind 
or who have low vision.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter recommended that NIDRR revise the Low Vision 
and Blindness priority to require the RERC to investigate and address 
the employment needs of older individuals with low vision and 
blindness.
    Discussion: Nothing in the priority precludes applicants from 
proposing a project or projects that emphasize employment for older 
individuals with low vision and blindness. However, NIDRR does not have 
a sufficient basis for requiring all applicants to focus on this 
specific topic or population. NIDRR does not want to limit applicants' 
ability to propose projects that address other important topics, 
outcomes, or populations by requiring research and development to 
support employment of older individuals with low vision and blindness.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter recommended that we revise the Low Vision 
and Blindness priority to require the RERC to develop its research and 
development plans based upon the input of the diverse population of 
individuals with vision loss and the

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organizations that represent them. This commenter also recommended that 
NIDRR require active partnerships between the RERC and organizations 
that represent individuals living with vision loss.
    Discussion: The RERC priority requirements, which apply to both the 
Low Vision and Blindness and Wireless Technologies priorities, include 
a requirement that each RERC develop and implement a plan for including 
individuals with disabilities or their representatives in all phases of 
its activities, including research, development, training, 
dissemination, and evaluation. In developing such a plan, applicants 
may determine the timing and extent of involvement of individuals with 
disabilities in their activities. Nothing in the priority precludes 
applicants from proposing to develop active partnerships with 
organizations that represent individuals who are living with vision 
loss. However, NIDRR does not have a sufficient basis for requiring all 
applicants to do so. NIDRR does not want to limit applicants' ability 
to propose alternative mechanisms for including individuals with 
disabilities or their representatives in the RERC's work.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: In reference to the requirement in the priority that the 
RERC must research and develop technologies to promote the 
participation of individuals with low vision and blindness in STEM 
education, one commenter expressed concern that the RERC would focus 
its work exclusively in this area and produce solutions with limited 
relevance outside of the classroom. The commenter recommended that we 
revise the priority to ensure that the RERC's activities are aimed at 
developing technologies for use in the home, at school, and in the 
community by individuals with vision loss of all ages.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the RERC's work should address the 
needs of individuals with low vision and blindness of all ages and in 
all settings. The Low Vision and Blindness priority states that the 
RERC must research and develop technologies that will improve the 
assessment of low vision and blindness and promote independence for 
individuals with low vision and blindness of all ages. Within the broad 
requirements of the priority, applicants are free to focus their 
research and development towards finding solutions that benefit 
subpopulations in settings, inside and outside of the classroom, where 
they see the greatest need.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter expressed support for the requirement in the 
Low Vision and Blindness priority that the grantee must research and 
develop technologies that will improve the assessment of low vision and 
blindness and promote independence for individuals with low vision and 
blindness of all ages, including those who are deaf-blind and those 
with multiple disabilities. This commenter noted, however, that 
individuals with low vision and blindness who have other disabling 
conditions cannot be easily categorized according to their disabling 
conditions, and that their technology needs are largely driven by their 
functional abilities. The commenter suggested that NIDRR revise the 
priority to require research and development that accounts for 
variations in functional abilities among individuals with low vision 
and blindness and other disabling conditions.
    Discussion: NIDRR does not agree that the priority should be 
revised to be more prescriptive in terms of the conceptual and 
methodological strategies used by the RERC, as suggested by the 
commenter. NIDRR strongly believes that applicants should have the 
flexibility to propose a wide variety of research and development 
approaches that meet the requirements of the priority. The peer review 
process will determine the merits of each proposal.
    Changes: None.

Wireless Technologies

    Comment: One commenter suggested that NIDRR revise the Wireless 
Technologies priority to require applicants to focus on the research 
and development of low-cost or no-cost options for access to wireless 
technologies by people with disabilities. Specifically, the commenter 
recommended that the priority require the development of access 
solutions that are built into wireless technologies or that allow third 
parties to provide low-cost access solutions for those technologies.
    Discussion: Nothing in the priority precludes applicants from 
proposing research and development projects that focus on low- or no-
cost access solutions for wireless technologies, including built-in or 
third-party solutions. However, NIDRR does not have a sufficient basis 
for requiring all applicants to do so. NIDRR does not want to limit 
applicants' ability to propose other important research and development 
approaches and projects by requiring all applicants to focus their work 
on built-in or third-party accessibility solutions.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the Wireless Technologies 
priority should be broad enough to include research to develop 
accessibility solutions for consumer electronics that employ wireless 
technologies to communicate with other devices.
    Discussion: Nothing in the Wireless Technologies priority precludes 
applicants from proposing projects to develop accessibility solutions 
for consumer electronics that employ wireless technologies to 
communicate with other devices. However, NIDRR does not have a 
sufficient basis for requiring all applicants to do so. NIDRR does not 
want to limit applicants' ability to propose other important research 
and development projects by requiring all applicants to focus their 
work in this area.
    Changes: None.

Final Priorities

    Priority 1--Low Vision and Blindness.
    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services establishes a priority for a Rehabilitation Engineering 
Research Center (RERC) on Low Vision and Blindness. This RERC must 
research and develop technologies that will improve the assessment of 
low vision and blindness and promote independence for individuals with 
low vision and blindness of all ages, including those who are deaf-
blind and those with multiple disabilities. Specifically, the RERC must 
improve vision assessment for the changing and expanding population of 
individuals who are at risk for experiencing low vision and blindness, 
including but not limited to, the elderly, returning military veterans, 
and prematurely born infants. The RERC must also research and develop 
technologies that will improve individuals' access to graphical 
information, signage, and travel information and devices and appliances 
that have digital displays and control panels. In addition, the RERC 
must research and develop technologies to promote the participation of 
individuals with low vision and blindness in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Regarding participation 
in STEM education, these technologies include but are not limited to 
accessible scientific measurement instruments, tools, and materials.
    Priority 2--RERC on Wireless Technologies.
    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services establishes a priority for a Rehabilitation

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Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Wireless Technologies. Under this 
priority, the RERC must research, develop, and evaluate innovative 
technologies and products that facilitate the use of wireless 
technologies for individuals with disabilities. The RERC must research 
and develop wireless hardware and software that will meet the needs, 
promote independence, and improve the quality of life and community 
participation of individuals with disabilities. The RERC must also work 
with and provide information to relevant Federal agencies, designers, 
and manufacturers regarding barriers to and methods for facilitating 
the use of wireless technologies by individuals with disabilities.

Requirements Applicable to Both Priorities

    A RERC established under either of the proposed priorities in this 
notice must be designed to contribute to the following outcomes:
    (1) Increased technical and scientific knowledge relevant to its 
designated priority research area. The RERC must contribute to this 
outcome by conducting high-quality, rigorous research and development 
projects.
    (2) Increased innovation in technologies, products, environments, 
performance guidelines, and monitoring and assessment tools applicable 
to its designated priority research area. The RERC must contribute to 
this outcome through the development and testing of these innovations.
    (3) Improved research capacity in its designated priority research 
area. The RERC must contribute to this outcome by collaborating with 
the relevant industry, professional associations, institutions of 
higher education, health care providers, or educators, as appropriate.
    (4) Improved awareness and understanding of cutting edge 
developments in technologies within its designated priority research 
area. The RERC must contribute to this outcome by identifying and 
communicating with NIDRR, individuals with disabilities and their 
representatives, disability organizations, service providers, 
professional journals, manufacturers, and other interested parties 
regarding trends and evolving product concepts related to its 
designated priority research area.
    (5) Increased impact of research in the designated priority 
research area. The RERC must contribute to this outcome by providing 
technical assistance to relevant public and private organizations, 
individuals with disabilities, employers, and schools on policies, 
guidelines, and standards related to its designated priority research 
area.
    (6) Increased transfer of RERC-developed technologies to the 
marketplace. The RERC must contribute to this outcome by developing and 
implementing a plan for ensuring that all technologies developed by the 
RERC are made available to the public. The technology transfer plan 
must be developed in the first year of the project period in 
consultation with the NIDRR-funded Disability Rehabilitation Research 
Project, Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer.
    In addition, under each priority, the RERC must--
     Have the capability to design, build, and test prototype 
devices and assist in the technology transfer and knowledge translation 
of successful solutions to relevant production and service delivery 
settings;
     Evaluate the efficacy and safety of its new products, 
instrumentation, or assistive devices;
     Provide as part of its proposal, and then implement, a 
plan that describes how it will include, as appropriate, individuals 
with disabilities or their representatives in all phases of its 
activities, including research, development, training, dissemination, 
and evaluation;
     Provide as part of its proposal, and then implement, in 
consultation with the NIDRR-funded National Center for the 
Dissemination of Disability Research, a plan to disseminate its 
research results to individuals with disabilities and their 
representatives, disability organizations, service providers, 
professional journals, manufacturers, and other interested parties;
     Conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its 
designated priority research area in the fourth year of the project 
period, and publish a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the 
conference in the fifth year of the project period; and
     Coordinate research projects of mutual interest with 
relevant NIDRR-funded projects, as identified through consultation with 
the NIDRR project officer.

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)).
    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 one or more of these priorities, 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 final regulatory 
action.
    The potential costs associated with this final 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 final regulatory action, we have determined 
that the benefits of the final priorities justify the costs.
    Summary of potential 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. These final priorities will generate new 
knowledge through research and development. Another benefit of these 
final priorities is that the establishment of new RERCs will improve 
the lives of individuals with disabilities. The new RERCs will generate 
and promote the use of new technologies and information that will 
improve the options for individuals with disabilities with regard to 
community living and community participation.
    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) on request to 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: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: http://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: June 21, 2011.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-15932 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P