[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 15, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2923-2925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00580]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
34 CFR Chapter III
Proposed Priority--National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research--Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Project--Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer
CFDA Number: 84.133A-08.
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Proposed priority.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority under the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) and Centers Program
administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR). Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for a
DRRP to serve as the Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology
Transfer (Center). The Assistant Secretary may use this priority for
competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2013 and later years. We take this
action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend
this priority to contribute to improved outcomes for individuals with a
disability.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before February 14, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments about this notice to Marlene Spencer,
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5133,
Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700.
If you prefer to send your comments by email, use the following
address: [email protected]. You must include the phrase ``Proposed
Priority for DRRP to serve as the Center'' in the subject line of your
electronic message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer. Telephone: (202) 245-
7532 or by email: [email protected].
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of proposed priority is in
concert with NIDRR's currently approved Long-Range Plan (Plan). The
currently approved Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on
February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8166), can be accessed on the Internet at the
following site: http://www2.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2006-1/021506d.pdf.
Through the implementation of the currently approved 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 a
DRRP competition in FY 2013 and possibly later years. However, nothing
precludes NIDRR from publishing additional priorities, if needed.
Furthermore, NIDRR is under no obligation to make an award using 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 Orders 12866 and 13563 and their 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 notice in room 5133, 550 12th Street, SW., PCP,
Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 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, and 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).
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
The purpose of NIDRR's DRRPs, which are funded through the
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program,
are to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the
Rehabilitation Act by developing methods, procedures, and
rehabilitation technologies that advance a wide range of independent
living and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities,
especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. DRRPs carry
out one or more of the following types of activities, as specified and
defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through 350.19: research, training,
demonstration, development, dissemination, utilization, and technical
assistance.
Additional information on the DRRP program can be found at:
www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#DRRP.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
Proposed Priority:
This notice contains one proposed priority.
DRRP to Serve as the Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology
Transfer (Center).
Background:
Knowledge translation (KT) is a process to ensure that new
knowledge and products gained through research and development will
ultimately be used to improve the lives of individuals with
disabilities and further their participation in society. Technology
transfer is a subset of knowledge translation that focuses on ensuring
that
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technology-based knowledge and products will be transferred into
tangible benefits for individuals with disabilities through
commercialization, engineering standards, freeware, and other tangible
applications.
Under section 200(3) of the Rehabilitation Act, NIDRR is charged
with promoting the transfer of rehabilitation technology to individuals
with disabilities. NIDRR carries out this responsibility through the
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) and Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) programs. NIDRR has long required RERCs to
develop technology transfer plans. In analyzing grantee performance
information, NIDRR determined that it would be useful to provide
technical assistance to grantees to improve the rates of technology
transfer. NIDRR's concerns were supported by findings from a recent
retrospective case study analysis indicating that, while a majority of
development projects supported by RERC grants result in prototypes,
only a quarter of those projects have evidence of transfer into broader
uses (Lane, 2008). More information on technology research funded by
NIDRR can be found at: www.naric.com/research/pd/results.cfm?type=priority&display=detailed&criteria=Technology for
Access and Function.
Transfer of rehabilitation technology products is often difficult
because of the small market for each product. Often, the broader
technology transfer field does not provide guidance that is directly
applicable to technology transfer in the rehabilitation technology
area. Thus, there is a need to continue to build a body of knowledge
that will advance understanding and practices of technology transfer
for rehabilitation technology products.
To support, promote, and improve the technology transfer of its
RERC, SBIR, and other technology grantees, NIDRR will fund a Disability
and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Knowledge Translation for
Technology Transfer.
References:
Lane, J. (2008). Delivering on the `D' in R&D: Recommendations for
Increasing Transfer Outcomes From Development Projects. Assistive
Technology Outcomes and Benefits, Fall 2008 Special Issue. Retrieved
10/15/2012 from www.atia.org/files/public/ATOBSIF2008.pdf.
Proposed Priority:
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services establishes a priority for a Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Project to serve as the Center on Knowledge Translation for
Technology Transfer (Center). The Center must conduct rigorous
research, development, technical assistance, dissemination, and
utilization activities to increase successful technology transfer of
rehabilitation technology products and devices developed by NIDRR-
funded technology grantees.
In planning and conducting all activities, the Center must partner
with relevant stakeholders such as NIDRR's technology grantees, trade
and professional associations, industry representatives, individuals
with disabilities, and others.
Under this priority, the Center must be designed to contribute to
the following outcomes:
(a) Increased rate of successful technology transfer of
rehabilitation technology products developed by NIDRR-funded technology
grantees to the marketplace, into engineering standards, or into other
intended applications;
(b) Increased understanding among rehabilitation engineers and
others engaged in disability research and development of technology
transfer processes and practices that lead to successful transfer of
rehabilitation technology products to the marketplace, into engineering
standards, or into other intended applications;
(c) Increased capacity of NIDRR's technology grantees to plan and
to engage in technology transfer activities.
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 Orders 12866 and 13563:
Regulatory Impact Analysis
Under Executive Order 12866, the Secretary must determine whether
this regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to
the requirements of the Executive order and subject to review by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order
12866 defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action likely
to result in a rule that may--
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more,
or adversely affect a sector of the economy, productivity, competition,
jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local or
Tribal governments or communities in a material way (also referred to
as an ``economically significant'' rule);
(2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants,
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles stated in the
Executive order.
This proposed regulatory action is not a significant regulatory
action subject to review by OMB under section 3(f) of Executive Order
12866.
We have also reviewed this regulatory action under Executive Order
13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the principles,
structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in
Executive Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, Executive Order
13563 requires that an agency--
(1) Propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination
that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits
and costs are difficult to quantify);
(2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society,
consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and
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taking into account--among other things and to the extent practicable--
the costs of cumulative regulations;
(3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity);
(4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather
than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must
adopt; and
(5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct
regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or
marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or provide
information that enables the public to make choices.
Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best
available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future
benefits and costs as accurately as possible.'' The Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB has emphasized that these
techniques may include ``identifying changing future compliance costs
that might result from technological innovation or anticipated
behavioral changes.''
We are issuing this proposed priority only upon a reasoned
determination that its benefits justify its costs. In choosing among
alternative regulatory approaches, we selected those approaches that
would maximize net benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, the
Department believes that this proposed priority is consistent with the
principles in Executive Order 13563.
We also have determined that this regulatory action would not
unduly interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the
exercise of their governmental functions.
In accordance with both Executive orders, the Department has
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action.
The potential costs are those resulting from statutory requirements and
those we have determined as necessary for administering the
Department's programs and activities.
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 would generate new knowledge through research and development.
Another benefit of this proposed priority is that the establishment of
new DRRPs would improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The
new DRRP would generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new
information that would improve employment opportunities for individuals
with disabilities.
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 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 or a TTY, 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: 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:
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Dated: January 9, 2013.
Michael Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-00580 Filed 1-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P