[Federal Register: April 25, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 20865-20870]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap01-113]
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Part II
Department of Education
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National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
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Notice of Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2001-2003
for Two Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Notice of Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years (FYs)
2001-2003 for Two Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years (FYs)
2001-2003 for two Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers.
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SUMMARY: We propose funding priorities for two Rehabilitation Research
and Training Centers (RRTC) under the National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) for FY 2001-2003: One on
Rehabilitation of Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired and one on
Rehabilitation of Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We may use
these priorities for competitions in FY 2001 and later years. We take
this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We
intend these priorities to improve the rehabilitation services and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before May 25, 2001.
ADDRESSES: All comments concerning these proposed priorities should be
addressed to Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 3414, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645.
Comments may also be sent through the Internet: Donna.nangle@ed.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 205-
5880. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Invitation To Comment
We invite you to submit comments regarding these proposed
priorities.
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 these proposed
priorities. Please let us know of any further opportunities we should
take to 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 these priorities in Room 3414, Switzer Building, 330 C
Street SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Eastern time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal
holidays.
Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the
Rulemaking Record
On request, we will supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or
print magnifier, to an individual with a disability that needs
assistance to review the comments or other documents in the public
rulemaking record for these proposed priorities. If you want to
schedule an appointment for this type of aid, you may call (202) 205-
8113 or (202) 260-9895. If you use a TDD, you may call the Federal
Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.
National Education Goals
These proposed priorities will address the National Education Goal
that every adult American will be literate and will possess the
knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and
exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
The authority for the program to establish research priorities by
reserving funds to support particular research activities is contained
in sections 202(g) and 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended (29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)). Regulations governing this
program are found in 34 CFR part 350.
We will announce the final priorities in a notice in the Federal
Register. We will determine the final priorities after considering
responses to this notice and other information available to the
Department. This notice does not preclude us from proposing or funding
additional priorities, subject to meeting applicable rulemaking
requirements.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use these proposed priorities, we invite
applications through a notice published in the Federal Register.
When inviting applications we designate each priority as absolute,
competitive preference, or invitational.
The proposed priorities refer to NIDRR's Long-Range Plan that can
be accessed on the World Wide Web at: (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/
NIDRR/#LRP).
Authority for Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
The authority for the RRTC program is contained in section
204(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C.
764(b)(2)). Under this program the Secretary makes awards to public and
private organizations, including institutions of higher education and
Indian tribes or tribal organizations for coordinated research and
training activities. These entities must be of sufficient size, scope,
and quality to effectively carry out the activities of the Center in an
efficient manner consistent with appropriate State and Federal laws.
They must demonstrate the ability to carry out the training activities
either directly or through another entity that can provide that
training. The Secretary may make awards for up to 60 months through
grants or cooperative agreements. The purpose of the awards is for
planning and conducting research, training, demonstrations, and related
activities leading to the development of methods, procedures, and
devices that will benefit individuals with disabilities, especially
those with the most severe disabilities.
Description of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs are operated in collaboration with institutions of higher
education or providers of rehabilitation services or other appropriate
services. RRTCs serve as centers of national excellence and national or
regional resources for providers and individuals with disabilities and
the parents, family members, guardians, advocates or authorized
representatives of the individuals.
RRTCs conduct coordinated, integrated, and advanced programs of
research in rehabilitation targeted toward the production of new
knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery
systems, to alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, and to promote
maximum social and economic independence of individuals with
disabilities.
RRTCs provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to assist individuals to more effectively provide
rehabilitation services. They also provide training including graduate,
pre-service, and in-service training, for rehabilitation research
personnel and other rehabilitation personnel.
RRTCs serve as informational and technical assistance resources to
providers, individuals with disabilities,
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and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized
representatives of these individuals through conferences, workshops,
public education programs, in-service training programs and similar
activities.
RRTCs disseminate materials in alternative formats to ensure that
they are accessible to individuals with a range of disabling
conditions.
NIDRR encourages all Centers to involve individuals with
disabilities and individuals from minority backgrounds as recipients of
research training, as well as clinical training.
The Department is particularly interested in ensuring that the
expenditure of public funds is justified by the execution of intended
activities and the advancement of knowledge and, thus, has built this
accountability into the selection criteria. Not later than three years
after the establishment of any RRTC, NIDRR will conduct one or more
reviews of the activities and achievements of the Center. In accordance
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment.
Proposed Priority 1: Rehabilitation of Persons Who Are Blind or
Visually Impaired
Background
Based on 1996 worldwide population estimates, approximately 45
million persons are blind and 135 million have low vision (World Health
Organization Programs for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness,
1997). One in six Americans (17 percent, 45 years or older,
representing 13.5 million middle-aged and older adults) reports some
form of vision impairment even when wearing glasses or contact lenses
(The Lighthouse Inc., 1995). Nationally among persons age 21 to 64 who
are visually impaired, defined as difficulty or inability to see words
and letters, only 43.7 percent are employed. Among individuals unable
to see words and letters, the figure decreases to 30.6 percent. This
proportion is significantly lower than the estimated 80 percent of
persons without disabilities in this age group who are employed (based
on 1994-1995 estimates: McNeil, 1997; personal communication, November
16, 1996).
NIDRR published a Long-Range Plan (The Plan) which is based on a
paradigm for rehabilitation that identifies disability in terms of its
relationship between the individual and the natural, built, cultural,
and social environment (63 FR 57189-57219). The Plan focuses on both
individual and systemic factors that have an impact on the ability of
individuals with disabilities to function.
In accord with this Plan, there is an ongoing need to maintain and
improve successful employment and career outcomes for individuals who
are blind or have visual impairments through vocational rehabilitation,
community rehabilitation, postsecondary education, and independent
living services for individuals who are blind or have visual
impairments. Research and training activities under this RRTC must
clearly focus on the vocational rehabilitation needs of adults, who, by
definition, are the primary recipients of vocational rehabilitation
services. Likewise, the thrust of the RRTC should focus on individuals
who are blind or have severe visual impairment as opposed to those who
have minimal vision loss.
With the passage of legislation such as the Workforce Investment
Act of 1998 (WIA) and the Work Incentive Improvement Act, the expertise
of vocational rehabilitation agencies in developing community
partnerships will play a role in establishing vocational rehabilitation
as a major partner in the workforce development system and the one-stop
centers. Vocational rehabilitation now collaborates with welfare to
work programs, independent living centers, and colleges and technical
schools. The influence of such collaboration upon vocational outcomes
for individuals who are blind or have visual impairments remains
unknown. Thus, there is a need to investigate and document the impact
of any changes in disability and employment legislation on addressing
the unique employment needs of individuals who are blind and have
visual impairments. Research should identify barriers that hinder the
participation of individuals who are blind or have visual impairments
in these evolving systems and develop and document effective strategies
to eliminate such barriers.
Understanding the ongoing employment problems of individuals who
are blind or have visual impairments has been hampered by the virtual
absence of salient data such as work history, use of assistive
techniques, transportation, and other environmental features. A subtle
constraint is the tendency to ``over attribute'' problems to
individuals' vision status without seriously examining the dynamics of
vision loss in relation to other characteristics of the work they do or
seek to do, and characteristics of their work settings. Thus, there is
a serious need to identify and document salient demographic and
employment-related characteristics associated with working-age adults
who are blind or have visual impairments, including but not limited to
highlighting differences among this group, as well as general
differences between working-age adults with disabilities and working-
age adults without disabilities. Research that results in contemporary
and accurate data on employment status and an improved understanding of
employment issues is critically important to the development of a
national agenda and strategies to achieve full employment for
individuals who are blind or have visual impairments.
New computer technologies and the growing trend toward home-based
work appear to enhance especially the employment outcomes and earning
potential of individuals with disabilities. New computer and
information technologies place a premium on intellectual and
interpersonal skills and offer solid employment opportunities for
individuals with disabilities who remain current with the changing work
environment. Efforts to support individuals who are blind or have
visual impairments can be enhanced by using emerging technologies to
improve access to services (particularly for individuals in remote
areas), reduce information dissemination barriers, improve employment
training and job opportunities, and facilitate improved training
options for service providers. Research should be focused on
determining how computer technology can be effectively used to improve
the independence of individuals who are blind or visually impaired,
identifying barriers that prevent access and expanded use of
technology, and, increasing service provider knowledge of and
experience with using technology to support rehabilitation service
efforts.
Computer and information technology is changing rapidly.
Rehabilitation professionals must have state-of-the-art knowledge of
accessible computer and information technology for individuals who are
blind or visually impaired. To address such a need, this RRTC will
facilitate collaboration between the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) and NIDRR to support the training of State
vocational rehabilitation agency staff through use of a trainer model.
Since 1936 the Randolph-Sheppard Act has been a source of
employment for individuals who are blind. This program enables
individuals who are blind to become licensed facility managers and
operate vending facilities on Federal and State property.
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According to RSA, in fiscal year 1999, 2,809 blind vendors operated
3,352 vending facilities under the Randolph-Sheppard Act Program. The
program generated $448.1 million in gross earnings with individual
vendors averaging an annual income of $32,544. The RRTC should
undertake an assessment to identify areas of the program that may be
improved by training Business Enterprise Program counselors and
licensed managers. The training is intended to foster the acquisition
of improved skills by counselors and licensed managers and increase the
capacity of the Business Enterprise Program to be competitive with
other vending facilities.
Priority
We propose to establish a RRTC on improving vocational services for
individuals who are blind or have visual impairments. In carrying out
this purpose, the Center must:
(a) Investigate and document the impact of changes in disability
and employment legislation to address the unique employment-related
needs of individuals who are blind or have visual impairments;
(b) Investigate, document, and analyze existent State and Federal
data sets (e.g., RSA 911 data, NCHS data sets on population health
conditions, the national Independent Living Center survey and, the
annual State-by-State VR agency data sets detailing performance
outcomes), including client and service provider characteristics (e.g.,
age of onset of blindness or visual impairment relative to successful
employment outcomes), to determine different employment outcomes for
persons who are blind or have visual impairments;
(c) Investigate and document how State vocational rehabilitation
agencies, other public agencies, and private service providers overcome
environmental barriers (e.g., using assistive technology and jobsite
modifications) in order to improve employment outcomes for individuals
who are blind or have visual impairments; and
(d) Develop a national information and resource referral data base
for the training needs of State business enterprise program facilities;
develop and deliver training programs to meet the identified training
needs; and develop measures that can be applied to evaluate the
efficacy of the training.
In carrying out the purposes of the priority, the RRTC must conduct
at least three conferences to train vocational rehabilitation staff on
state-of-the-art information and computer technology for individuals
who are blind or have visual impairments.
In addition to the activities proposed by the applicant to carry
out these purposes, the RRTC must:
Involve individuals who are blind or have visual
impairments and, if appropriate, their representatives, in planning,
developing, and implementing the research, training, dissemination and
evaluation activities of the RRTC;
Coordinate with appropriate Federally funded projects; and
Identify coordination responsibilities through
consultation with the assigned NIDRR Project Officer; these
responsibilities may include outreach to specific NIDRR Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects, Rehabilitation Engineering and
Research Centers, RRTCs, Disability Business and Technical Assistance
Centers, Assistive Technology projects, Office of Special Education
programs, and RSA projects.
Proposed Priority 2: Vocational Rehabilitation Services for
Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Background
According to the National Center for Health Statistics,
approximately 8.6 percent of the national population experience hearing
loss (Ries, Vital and Health Statistics, 10, 1995). Using population
projections for the year 2000 and adjusting for the increase in
prevalence of hearing loss due to aging, it is estimated that
approximately 26.5 million persons experience hearing loss. Of these
persons, 80 percent experience permanent, irreversible hearing damage
(National Strategic Research Plan for Hearing and Hearing Impairment
and Voice and Voice Disorders, National Institute on Deafness and
Communicative Disorders, 1992). Furthermore, this population is quite
heterogeneous, varying with respect to degree and type of hearing loss,
age at onset, individual communication mode, level of personal or
employment functionality and race or ethnic background. As a result,
the population needs diverse vocational rehabilitation (VR) services.
Degree of hearing loss functionally distinguishes persons who are
hard of hearing and persons who are deaf. Persons identified as hard of
hearing may understand conversational speech with or without
amplification and are not primarily dependent on visual communication
(Rehabilitation Services Administration, 1995). Estimates indicate
there are more than 10.5 million hard of hearing individuals of working
age. Persons who are deaf are primarily dependent upon visual
communication such as writing, text reading (also known as CART or
computer-aided real-time translation), speech reading, sign language,
and sign language interpreting. This population includes persons who
are born deaf as well as those who become deaf later in life.
The age at which one becomes deaf strongly influences their
language, academic and vocational development, and therefore figures
prominently in that person's VR needs. Persons born deaf or who become
deaf during early childhood are likely to need specialized services
such as access to service providers who can communicate using American
Sign Language or other visual-gesture languages and vocational
assistance to enhance their employment prospects (Easterbrooks & Baker-
Hawkins, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students Educational Service
Guidelines, National Association of State Directors of Special
Education). Estimates indicate that there are approximately 479,000
deaf individuals of working age (18-64) who became deaf during early
childhood.
Yet another category of individuals is those persons who become
deaf after having experienced hearing as well as speech and language
development. Members of this group may include people who have already
completed substantial formal education, maintained a career, and
generally functioned as a hearing person before being deafened. While
these individuals already possess speech and language, they will be
dependent primarily on visual receptive communication. Estimates
indicate that there are approximately 2.8 million such individuals in
the United States.
The population of persons who are deaf also includes a subgroup
identified largely on the basis of functional needs in addition to
hearing loss. This group of deaf persons has been described as ``low
functioning.'' (Serving Individuals Who Are Low Functioning Deaf, 25th
Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, Rehabilitation Services
Administration, 1999). Persons who are deaf and low functioning vary
with respect to rehabilitation needs due to a diagnosed secondary
disability or related academic, language, or behavioral factors. Those
individuals may require rehabilitation assistance in areas such as
communication, education, independent living skills, and a full
continuum of employment preparation, entry, and ongoing supports.
Estimates of the population indicate that there are approximately
144,000 individuals of working age who are deaf and low
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functioning (25th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, 1999).
When provided appropriate and effective VR services, deaf
individuals whose level of social and vocational function is severely
limited can obtain and maintain employment (Conway, Work Place Issues,
Career Opportunities, Advancement and Deafness, Volta Review, 1995).
Often, however, a broad range of services are needed, and these
services must be provided in an accessible manner that recognizes
individual communication needs and preferences (Conway, 1995). Among
the cases closed by State VR agencies were 17,863, or 72.9 percent
closed as rehabilitated and 6,627, or 27.1 percent closed as non-
rehabilitated. Of the ``rehabilitated'' group closures, 77.4 percent
were in competitive employment; 1.9 percent in extended employment, 2.6
percent in self-employment and the balance in other employment sectors
(RSA, Caseload Services data, 1996). Interestingly, close examination
of closure rates for specific target groups indicate that deaf persons
achieve employment at significantly lower percentages than their hard
of hearing counterparts. Research is needed to address different
services in order to obtain optimal outcomes. Despite this disparity in
outcome, these data clearly document the role and contributions of the
State and Federal VR system in providing services that lead to
employment outcomes for significant numbers of individuals who are
deaf.
Currently, the State and Federal VR system is undergoing
significant change in response to conditions occurring in the labor
market and the resulting need for workers. The labor force is
characterized by economic growth, a low rate of unemployment,
technological advances, and demand for jobs that require higher
education and training. Plans to meet the State and local workforce
needs of persons with disabilities, including persons who are deaf or
hard of hearing, must be responsive to current thrusts in service
delivery policy such as presumptive eligibility, continuing emphasis on
order of selection, informed choice, one-stop service delivery, and
increased demands for new approaches in training and personnel
preparation (25th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, 1999).
It is clear that agencies will require significant technical
assistance and resources in developing service models and approaches
for serving special populations such as deaf and hard of hearing
persons in response to these changes (Hopkins & Walter, 1999; PEPNet
Needs Assessment: Summary of Findings, In Kolvitz, (Ed.), Empowerment
through partnerships: PEPNet 1998; Boone & Watson, Identifying the
Technical Assistance Needs of Community Based Rehabilitation Centers
Serving Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, 1999). Research is
needed to identify service delivery needs of persons who are deaf or
hard of hearing and to develop interventions that result in
satisfactory employment outcomes.
There is a clear need for ongoing research to maintain and improve
successful employment and career outcomes resulting from VR, community
rehabilitation, postsecondary education, and independent living
services for persons who are deaf (NIDRR Long-Range Plan, 63 FR 57189-
57219). Research under this competition must clearly focus on the VR
needs of deaf individuals, including subgroups within this population
with prevocational and post-vocational hearing loss, and those
individuals identified as low functioning. There is need to examine
decisionmaking processes as they impact upon deaf individuals and
relevant others such as service providers, advocates, advisors, and
family members, in relation to issues of access and participation by
deaf and hard of hearing individuals in appropriate VR, postsecondary
training, and independent living services. When such research analysis
or mapping of decision processes and information sharing reveals
problems, then appropriate resource development activities must be
pursued, such as development of curriculum materials, training,
evaluation, and technical assistance. In particular, strategies will be
needed to involve new partners such as ``one-stops'' and centers for
independent living, and underserved subgroups within the deaf and hard
of hearing populations, such as those individuals described as low
functioning and others with special needs. Research must investigate
variables related to specific deafness and hard of hearing subgroups,
services settings, measures of program participation, and measures of
success within the changing policy, labor market, and service delivery
environments.
Priority
We propose to establish an RRTC on VR services for individuals who
are deaf or hard of hearing that will conduct research and training
activities and develop and evaluate model approaches to improve the
employment outcomes for such individuals. In carrying out this purpose,
the center must:
(a) Investigate and document the impact of changes in disability
and employment legislation (e.g., Workforce Investment Act of 1998,
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998) and service delivery options and
policy (e.g., State and Federal VR, Community Rehabilitation Programs,
One-Stop Centers, presumptive eligibility, order of selection, informed
choice, CSPD) using formal research protocols on workforce
participation and employment outcomes achieved by persons who are deaf
or hard of hearing (including those identified as low functioning) and
considering such factors as age, gender, race or ethnic background,
education, severity of impairment, and secondary disability;
(b) Identify, evaluate, and document contemporary business policies
and practices that contribute to accessible work, workplace supports,
and environments to enhance the employment of persons who are deaf or
hard of hearing;
(c) Identify, develop, and measure the impact of innovative
rehabilitation practices, resource materials, post-secondary training,
and technology (for State and Federal VR, Independent Living, and
Community-based Rehabilitation Programs) that will enhance the
workforce participation, employment, and community living outcomes
achieved by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; and
(d) Develop and disseminate resources through a national technical
assistance, information and referral network for consumers who are deaf
or hard of hearing (including those referred to as low functioning
deaf), their employers, advocates, family members, and rehabilitation
service providers.
In carrying out these purposes, the center must:
Coordinate the activities of this Center with the efforts
of grantees from NIDRR, the Office of Special Education Programs
(OSEP), or RSA who are involved in postsecondary training, transition,
job-related or vocational and career studies, independent living needs,
and aspects of rehabilitation technology addressing the needs of
persons who are deaf, particularly those referred to as low functioning
deaf;
Solicit, maximize, and utilize direct input from persons
who are deaf, their service providers, and their employers as part of
the ongoing planning, development, and implementation of the Center's
research activities;
Construct scientific and measurable techniques for each
research project;
Provide dissemination to rehabilitation professionals,
through training and technical assistance of new
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and effective rehabilitation techniques and practices that may enhance
service delivery, quality employment, and community integration
findings; and
Develop sources for supplementary funding that will permit
the Center more latitude in exploring additional related studies, in
addition to the Federal monies available from this RRTC grant.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
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index.html.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133B,
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers Program)
Dated: April 19, 2001.
Francis V. Corrigan,
Deputy Director, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation,
Research.
[FR Doc. 01-10196 Filed 4-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P