[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 123 (Monday, June 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37341-37343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16035]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA Number: 84.133B-1]


Final Priority; Rehabilitation Research and Training Center--
Interventions To Promote Community Living Among Individuals with 
Disabilities

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

ACTION: Notice of final priority.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces a priority for a Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Interventions to Promote 
Community Living Among Individuals with Disabilities. The Assistant 
Secretary may use this priority 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 this priority to contribute to 
improved participation and community living outcomes for individuals 
with disabilities and their families.

DATES: Effective Date: This priority is effective July 27, 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 (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of final priority (NFP) is in 
concert with National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research (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 a priority that NIDRR intends to use for RRTC 
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 this 
priority. 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, 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) (29 U.S.C. 
701 et seq.).

RRTC Program

    The purpose of the RRTCs, which are funded through the Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to improve 
the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act, 
through advanced research, training, technical assistance, and 
dissemination activities in general problem areas, as specified by 
NIDRR. Such activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service 
providers, individuals with disabilities, and the family members or 
other authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities. 
Additional information on the RRTC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements of RRTCs

    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 of national excellence in rehabilitation 
research for individuals with disabilities, their representatives, 
providers, and other interested parties.
    Applicants for RRTC grants must also demonstrate in their 
applications how they will address, in whole or in part, the needs of 
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    We published a notice of proposed priority (NPP) for NIDRR's 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program in 
the Federal Register on March 29, 2011 (76 FR 17400). That notice 
contained background information and our reasons for proposing this 
particular priority.

Public Comment

    In response to our invitation in the notice of proposed priority, 
four parties submitted comments on the proposed priority.
    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 priority.
    Analysis of Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments and 
of any changes in the priority since publication of the notice of 
proposed priority follows.
    Comment: Two commenters recommended that NIDRR revise this priority 
so that it focuses on research about the role that natural community 
supports, such as faith-based organizations, can play in supporting 
individuals with disabilities to live independently and participate in 
the community. The first commenter suggested that we require the RRTC 
to provide training and resources to faith-

[[Page 37342]]

based organizations to facilitate their partnerships with residential 
providers and other human services agencies that serve individuals with 
disabilities. The second commenter suggested that we revise the 
priority to focus on the role of faith-based organizations in 
supporting the community participation of youth with disabilities. This 
second commenter also suggested that we should revise the priority to 
focus on the role of faith-based organizations in supporting the 
community participation of ethnic minorities with disabilities and 
individuals with disabilities living in rural areas.
    Discussion: Nothing in this priority precludes applicants from 
proposing research or training projects that focus on the role of 
faith-based organizations in facilitating the community participation 
and independent living of individuals with disabilities. Applicants are 
also free to propose research and training efforts that focus on 
specific populations of individuals with disabilities, including youth, 
ethnic minorities, and individuals living in rural areas, who have 
disabilities. NIDRR does not want to limit applicants' ability to 
propose projects that address other important topics or populations, by 
specifically requiring research and training related to specific 
populations, or on faith-based organizations.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter noted that the background statement 
supporting the priority emphasizes the transition of individuals with 
disabilities from institutions into the community as well as continuity 
of community living to avoid reinstitutionalization. The commenter 
suggested that this emphasis be reflected more explicitly in the five 
areas described in paragraph (b) of the priority.
    Discussion: NIDRR intended paragraph (b) of the priority to have a 
strong focus on supporting the transition from institutions to the 
community, and the continuity of community living among individuals 
with disabilities. We do not believe a change is necessary to highlight 
this focus because the opening sentence of paragraph (b) clearly states 
that NIDRR intends the RRTC to contribute to the outcome of improved 
services and supports needed to participate fully in the community, 
including services and supports needed to transition from institutions 
to the community, and to maintain continuity of community living by 
individuals with disabilities. The five areas in paragraph (b) from 
which applicants must choose are areas in which policies, programs, or 
strategies can be identified or designed and tested to support this 
outcome.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter noted that health and community 
participation are linked among people with disabilities. For this 
reason, the commenter recommended that we revise paragraph (b) of the 
priority to include ``healthy living'' as one of the areas from which 
applicants must choose to focus their research efforts.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that health and health services are 
related to community participation outcomes among individuals with 
disabilities, and that applicants should be allowed to choose a focus 
on services and supports related to health, and we are revising 
paragraph (b) of the priority accordingly.
    Changes: NIDRR has modified the priority to add health as one of 
the areas from which applicants can choose to focus their research 
efforts.
    Comment: None.
    Discussion: Upon further review of paragraph (c)(1) of the 
priority, we determined that it would be clearer to expressly mention 
the topics to be included in the RRTC's required systematic review.
    Changes: We have revised paragraph (c)(1) of the priority to 
clarify that the RRTC must conduct systematic reviews of research on 
services and supports that provide opportunities for the population of 
individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the community.

Final Priority

Priority--Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on 
Interventions to Promote Community Living Among Individuals with 
Disabilities

    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services establishes a priority for a Rehabilitation Research and 
Training Center (RRTC) on Interventions to Promote Community Living 
Among Individuals with Disabilities. The RRTC must conduct rigorous 
research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities 
that contribute to improved community participation and community 
living outcomes for individuals with disabilities, including 
individuals transitioning into the community from nursing homes and 
other health and community institutions. Under this priority, the RRTC 
must contribute to the following outcomes:
    (a) Increased knowledge about how the barriers to and experiences 
of community living may differ across sociodemographic and geographic 
groups within the diverse population of individuals with disabilities. 
The RRTC must contribute to the outcome by conducting research on the 
extent to which access to community services and supports and community 
participation outcomes are related to sociodemographic factors (e.g., 
race, ethnicity, income level, education level), the geographic area in 
which individuals reside (e.g., rural or urban areas), or disability 
characteristics (e.g., disability severity or type of disabling 
condition).
    (b) Improved services and supports that provide opportunities for 
the population of individuals with disabilities to participate fully in 
the community, including the services and supports needed to transition 
from institutions, nursing homes, and other health and community 
institutions, to the community and to maintain continuity of community 
living (i.e., community living without interruption due to 
hospitalization or institutionalization). The RRTC must contribute to 
this outcome by identifying or developing and then testing policies, 
programs, or strategies that improve community living services and 
supports for individuals with disabilities. In this regard, the RRTC 
must focus its efforts on at least two of the following areas: Housing; 
transportation; health; and recreational, community, and civic 
activities. In carrying out this requirement, the RRTC must also take 
into account the findings from paragraph (a) of this priority. The 
policies, programs, or strategies to be tested under this paragraph (b) 
may include strategies that integrate or coordinate services from 
different areas.
    (c) Increased incorporation of research findings into practice or 
policy. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by coordinating with 
appropriate NIDRR-funded knowledge translation grantees to advance or 
add to their work by--
    (1) Conducting systematic reviews of research on services and 
supports that provide opportunities for the population of individuals 
with disabilities to participate fully in the community and developing 
research syntheses consistent with standards, guidelines, and 
procedures established by the knowledge translation grantees;
    (2) Using knowledge translation strategies identified as promising 
by the knowledge translation grantees to increase the use of research 
findings;
    (3) Collaborating with centers for independent living and other 
stakeholder groups to develop, implement, or evaluate strategies to

[[Page 37343]]

increase utilization of the research findings; and
    (4) Conducting training and dissemination activities to facilitate 
the utilization of the research findings by community-based 
organizations and other service providers, policymakers, and 
individuals with disabilities.

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 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 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 priority 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. This final priority 
will generate new knowledge through research, development, and 
knowledge translation activities. Another benefit of this final 
priority is that the establishment of a new RRTC will improve the lives 
of individuals with disabilities and their family members. The new RRTC 
will generate and promote the use of new 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 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: 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. 2011-16035 Filed 6-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P