[Federal Register: August 30, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 169)]
[Notices]               
[Page 56137-56141]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30au02-181]                         


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Part VII





Department of Education





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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Notices


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) Program

AGENCY: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
(NIDRR), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of final priorities.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces two final priorities, one on Aging-
Related Changes in Impairment for Persons Living with Physical 
Disabilities and one on Personal Assistance Services (PAS) under the 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) Program for the 
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). 
The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities for 
competitions in FY 2003 and in later years. We take this action to 
focus research attention on an identified national need. We intend 
these priorities to improve the rehabilitation services and outcomes 
for individuals with disabilities.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities are effective September 30, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880 or via the 
Internet: donna.nangle@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you 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 under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) 
Program

    The RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of 
research targeted toward the production of new knowledge, to improve 
rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or 
stabilize disabling conditions, or promote maximum social and economic 
independence for persons with disabilities. RRTCs operate in 
collaboration with institutions of higher education or providers of 
rehabilitation or other appropriate services. Additional information on 
the RRTC program can be found at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR/Programs/res--program.html#RRTC.

General Requirements

    The RRTC 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;
     Serve as a center for national excellence in 
rehabilitation research for individuals with disabilities, their 
representatives, providers, and other interested parties.
    These priorities reflect issues discussed in the New Freedom 
Initiative (NFI) and NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (the Plan). The NFI can be 
accessed on the Internet at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominiative.html.
    The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR/Products.
    We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for these 
programs in the Federal Register on May 20, 2002 (67 FR 35692).
    There are no differences between the NPP and this notice of final 
priorities (NFP).
    The backgrounds for each of the priorities were published in the 
NPP.

Analysis of Comments and Changes

    In response to our invitation in the NPP, several parties submitted 
comments on the proposed priorities (18 parties for the Aging-Related 
Changes in Impairment for Persons Living with Physical Disabilities and 
12 parties for the PAS). An analysis of the comments is published as an 
appendix at the end of this notice. We discuss comments under the 
priority to which they pertain.
    Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes and 
suggested changes the law does not authorize us to make under the 
applicable statutory authority.


    Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use these priorities, we invite applications 
through a notice in the Federal Register. When inviting applications 
we designate the priority as absolute, competitive preference, or 
invitational. 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 either 
(1) awarding additional points, depending on how well or the extent to 
which the application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or 
(2) selecting an application that meets the competitve 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 invitational 
priority. However, an application that meets the invitational priority 
does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).

Priorities

Priority 1--Aging-Related Changes in Impairment for Persons Living With 
Physical Disabilities

    This priority supports one Rehabilitation Research and Training 
Center on Aging-Related Changes in Impairment for Persons Living with 
Physical Disabilities. The purpose of the priority is to generate new 
knowledge regarding the characteristics, prevalence, and distribution 
of these changes, their interrelationships with lifestyle and 
environmental factors, and their consequences on health, activity, and 
participation across the life span. The priority seeks to improve 
rehabilitation outcomes by encouraging innovative interventions aimed 
at preventing or minimizing the impact of aging-related changes on the 
well-being and productivity of persons with physical disabilities. The 
RRTC is required to conduct significant and substantial cross-
disability research and is encouraged to collaborate with one or more 
institutions, for the purposes of ensuring inclusion of 
multidisciplinary expertise across disability groups, and sufficient 
sample size and methodological rigor to generate robust findings.
    The RRTC must:
    (1) Clarify definitions and critically review and analyze 
strategies to measure aging-related changes in physical, psychological, 
and sensory impairment within and across at least two physical 
disabilities such as, but not limited to, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), 
Cerebral Palsy, Post-Polio Syndrome,

[[Page 56139]]

Muscular Dystrophy, and Multiple Sclerosis;
    (2) Using the disabilities selected, document aging-related changes 
and examine variations in terms of prevalence, magnitude of change, 
timing of onset (age and duration of disability), onset severity and 
socio-demographic distribution within, and between study groups;
    (3) Develop a conceptual model, grounded in an appropriate 
theoretical framework, of aging-related changes in impairment that: (a) 
predicts determinants of increases or stability in severity of 
impairment such as age, disability, lifestyle, or environmental 
factors; (b) quantifies the interrelationships between stability and 
increases in impairment and the occurrence of secondary health 
conditions; and (c) evaluates the consequences of changes in impairment 
on activity and participation across major life domains;
    (4) Using the model (see (3)) as a framework, identify or develop 
and evaluate rehabilitation techniques or interventions, or both, to 
mitigate the direct consequences of changes in impairment on health, 
activity limitations, and participation in employment, family life, 
independent living, community integration, and leisure and recreational 
activities; and
    (5) Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive plan to train 
policymakers, researchers, practitioners, service providers and 
advocates in rehabilitation and disability-related fields, and 
consumers and family members about aging-related changes in impairment, 
and the consequences for health, participation and quality of life of 
individuals with physical disabilities.
    In carrying out the purposes of the priority, the RRTC must:
     Develop and implement during the first year of the grant, 
and in consultation with the National Center on Dissemination of 
Disability Research (NCDDR), a comprehensive plan that promotes broad 
dissemination to both consumer and professional audiences;
     Involve consumers and family members as appropriate in all 
stages of research and related activities;
     Address the unique needs of individuals aging with 
physical disabilities who are members of groups that have traditionally 
been underrepresented, and demonstrate use of culturally appropriate 
methods of data collection, measurement and dissemination;
     Collaborate on projects, as appropriate, with NIDRR-funded 
RRTCs, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs), and Model 
Systems, and other public and private agencies and institutions;
     In the fourth year of the project, conduct a state-of-the-
science national conference to disseminate and discuss the results of 
the research with researchers, policymakers, consumers, family members, 
and other stakeholders; and
     Demonstrate appropriate multidisciplinary linkages to 
Geriatrics, Gerontology and Rehabilitation.

Priority 2--Personal Assistance Services

    This priority supports one Rehabilitation Research and Training 
Center on PAS. The purpose of this priority is to support 
methodologically rigorous collaborative research to generate new 
knowledge that informs service delivery providers and policymakers 
regarding the need for and provision of PAS at the worksite, in the 
community, and in home-based settings for individuals with physical, 
sensory, cognitive, psychiatric, and multiple disabilities.
    The activities are:
    (1) Identify or develop, or both, evaluate, and disseminate best 
practices for PAS at the worksite to facilitate employment of 
individuals with disabilities who need such accommodations;
    (2) Identify or develop, or both, evaluate, and disseminate best 
practices for PAS in community- and home-based settings to facilitate 
maximum integration and participation by working-age and older adults 
with disabilities;
    (3) Conduct research on the PAS workforce and workforce development 
that reflects geographic diversity and addresses PAS workforce 
recruitment, retention, compensation and benefits; professional 
training, development, and networking, for PAS providers, including 
communication between individual, group, public and private PAS 
providers; and crossover issues between disability and aging providers;
    (4) Identify and analyze existing model State and Federal PAS 
policies and programs, and develop a database to inventory the results;
    (5) Evaluate and determine the impact on, and relevance to, PAS at 
the worksite and in the community of recent policy initiatives, such as 
E.O. 13207 implementing the Olmstead decision (Olmstead v. L.C., 527 
U.S. 581), the NFI, and other systems change activities for changes to 
existing State and Federal policies and programs;
    (6) Conduct research on the relationship between formal and 
informal PAS and caregiving support, and on the role of assistive 
technology (AT) in complementing personal assistance to enhance the 
function, access, independent living, and quality of life of working-
age and older adults with disabilities. In addition, identify and 
evaluate barriers to obtaining and using multiple sources of support; 
and
    (7) Identify, develop, and evaluate models to eliminate barriers 
encountered by working-age and older adults with disabilities in 
accessing and utilizing both formal and informal PAS and AT to support 
employment, functional independence, and community integration.
    In addition to proposed activities, in carrying out these 
priorities, the applicant must:
     Involve individuals with disabilities or their family 
members, or both and persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented, as appropriate, in all stages of 
research and related activities;
     In the fourth year of the project, conduct a state-of-the-
science national conference to disseminate and discuss the results of 
the research with researchers, policymakers, consumers, and other 
stakeholders;
     Coordinate with other entities carrying out related 
research or training activities; and
     Identify coordination responsibilities through 
consultation with the NIDRR project officer.

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may review this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: 
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133B, 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center)


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    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).

    Dated: August 27, 2002.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Appendix--Analysis of Comments and Changes

Priority 1--Aging Related Changes in Impairment for Persons Living with 
Physical Disabilities

    Comments: Several commenters said by shifting the target 
population focus of this RRTC from SCI specific to cross-disability, 
the ongoing research and training efforts to address the unique 
needs and issues of the aging SCI population will be diluted.
    Discussion: The priority allows applicants the discretion to 
propose investigation across two or more physical disability groups, 
one of which may be SCI. Further, it is not the intent of the 
Department of Education to de-emphasize the need and value of SCI 
research or dilute ongoing research efforts in the field of aging 
and SCI. This is demonstrated by review of NIDRR's research 
portfolio, in which funded Field-Initiated Projects, RERCs, SCI 
Model Systems, and other RRTCs focus some of their research and 
development efforts either directly or indirectly on issues of aging 
and SCI.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Several commenters suggested that the shift in focus 
and title of the currently funded RRTC on Aging with SCI to the RRTC 
on Aging-Related Changes in Impairment for Persons Living with 
Physical Disabilities constitutes a change that requires formal 
announcement and opportunity for public comment as stipulated in 
Executive Order 12866
    Discussion: Executive Order 12866 establishes a requirement to 
seek public comment on rules adopted for new competitions. There is 
no obligation to take public comment on refocusing current 
competitions or not renewing old competitions. This NIDRR priority 
is not deemed to be new, but simply a redirection in focus with a 
goal of fostering interdisciplinary research collaboration and 
inclusion across disability groups that have been identified, 
empirically and anecdotally, as experiencing similar aging-related 
changes and declines. As the current priority requires a cross-
disability research design, it does not prohibit the inclusion of 
the SCI population as one of the physical disability groups to be 
studied.
    Change: None.

Priority 2--Personal Assistance Services

    Comments: Several commenters noted the extensive scope of work 
proposed for the RRTC and recommended that the scope of work be 
revised. Some comments related to the significant set of activities 
proposed for a single RRTC. Comments included a variety of 
suggestions to parse the work for this RRTC including a focus 
primarily on workers who provide PAS and on home and community-based 
PAS, with separate RRTCs created to focus on PAS at the worksite. At 
the same time, other commenters underscored the interrelationship 
between PAS and participation outcomes at home, in the community, 
and at the workplace.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the scope of work for the proposed 
RRTC on PAS is substantial. In developing the proposed RRTC, we 
considered existing literature and data, reports, and reviews 
related to previous NIDRR-funded work on PAS, conference findings, 
discussions with other Federal agencies, and the current policy 
framework related to PAS. Following the numerous review activities, 
we discussed the range of critical issues for such an RRTC. As a 
result, we concluded that there is an urgent need to address PAS 
across the continuum of the lived experience of people who need such 
services. In policy and practice, we must work to develop knowledge 
to facilitate resources that assure quality PAS across a range of 
daily activities in a variety of environments. As an example, PAS at 
the worksite could be necessary and available but may be of little 
value if an individual lacks such services at home and cannot tend 
to personal needs in order to prepare for the workday. There may be 
value in conducting research or development activities associated 
with a specific type of service or for a single range of needs. 
However, we think there is a critical need to first develop a 
coordinated effort in light of recent policy initiatives.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Several commenters suggested resources that might be 
helpful in carrying out the goals of the priority. These included 
models of support organizations for personal care attendants (PCA) 
and entities conducting research related to that proposed in the 
priority.
    Discussion: NIDRR is very appreciative of the many offers of 
support and resources we received from commenters. Through the NIDRR 
project officer, we will work with the successful applicant to 
assure coordination as appropriate.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Several commenters noted the need to study PAS across 
a range of disabilities including cognitive, psychiatric, and 
sensory disabilities.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that there is a need to address PAS 
across a range of disabilities and has required that applicants 
propose methodologies for doing so. In some cases, solid research 
may be available and can be evaluated and inventoried for 
policymakers, consumers, service providers, and others. For some 
domains of disability, new and creative approaches must be 
developed. As an example, two commenters claimed that there is 
insufficient literature related to PAS for individuals with 
disabilities associated with mental health and, as a result, 
suggested a strong emphasis on cognitive and psychiatric 
disabilities. Regarding sensory disabilities, an applicant may 
choose to include activities associated with such disabilities 
within the range of its proposal. NIDRR has no basis to determine 
that all applicants should be required to adopt the same approach. 
The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the proposal.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Two commenters discussed dissemination and training 
activities. One suggested that the priority include a national 
website to serve as a referral tool for consumers who need PCAs and 
a source of training on consumer-controlled PAS. Another noted the 
need to disseminate information about how people with various 
disabilities utilize PAS and AT and the range of service delivery 
models available across different types of disabilities.
    Discussion: An applicant must propose modes of dissemination and 
training and could include such activities; however, NIDRR has no basis 
to determine that all applicants should be required to focus on these 
particular methodologies. The peer review process will evaluate the 
merits of the proposal.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Several commenters suggested research issues to be 
addressed as part of the priority. These included current public 
policies that facilitate or hinder provision of PAS; shortages of 
longterm care workers; quality and legal accountability of consumer-
directed PAS; international issues; use of a business model to study 
work-related PAS; and the value of PAS for participation of people with 
disabilities.
    Discussion: An applicant must address issues associated with 
policies to facilitate provision of and payment of PAS and development 
of well-trained workers to provide PAS. An applicant must also 
investigate provision of adequate PAS at home, in the community, and 
the places where individuals with disabilities work. Within each of the 
broad areas of research, there are many possible approaches to 
conducting research. NIDRR has no basis to determine that all 
applicants should be required to adopt the same approach. The peer 
review process will evaluate the merits of the proposal.
    Change: None.
    Comments: One commenter noted that there is a substantial body of 
research about PAS. The commenter suggested that existing research must 
be used as a base, without redundancy by the proposed RRTC.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that existing research may be considered 
by the applicant. It is our goal to foster work that expands upon 
existing knowledge or that addresses key issues that have received 
inadequate attention in past research. The peer review process will 
evaluate the merits of the proposal.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Two commenters underscored the financial issues of PAS, 
noting that funding for PAS is critical. The commenters noted that 
public policies associated with funding must be evaluated and that 
empirical research is needed to address the economic and participation 
effects of PAS.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that funding of PAS is a fundamental issue 
for people who need such services. As noted in the priority, public 
policies associated with PAS must be carefully evaluated. Research 
could address a range of issues associated with the benefits of PAS. 
The NFI, Olmstead, and other systems change activities provide a 
current context for developing such activities.
    Change: None.
    Comments: Two commenters suggested that the priority require 
activities associated

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with education-related PAS. One comment noted that parents of children 
with disabilities need reliable PAS for their children, including 
school-based services, so that they might pursue employment. A second 
comment emphasized a need to study PAS for working-aged youth 
transitioning from school to work and for those in postsecondary 
educational institutions.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that significant issues exist related to 
both school-based services and transition. NIDRR has no basis to 
determine that all applicants should be required to study PAS in school 
or transition settings. An applicant could propose to investigate PAS 
for youth. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the 
proposal.
    Change: None.

[FR Doc. 02-22277 Filed 8-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U