80 FR 21196 - Proposed Waiver and Extension of the Project Period; National Interpreter Education Center for the Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 74 (April 17, 2015)

Page Range		21196-21198
FR Document		2015-08909

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and extensions of project periods involving the obligation of additional Federal funds for a 60-month project initially funded in fiscal year (FY) 2010. The Secretary also proposes to extend the project period for one year. The proposed waiver and extension would enable the currently funded National Interpreter Education Center to receive funding through September 30, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 74 (Friday, April 17, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21196-21198]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08909]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Part 396

[Docket ID ED-2015-OSERS-0022]


Proposed Waiver and Extension of the Project Period; National 
Interpreter Education Center for the Training of Interpreters for 
Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are 
Deaf-Blind

AGENCY: Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Office of Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education.

ACTION: Proposed waiver and extension of the project period.

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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.160B

SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements that 
generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and extensions 
of project periods involving the obligation of additional Federal funds 
for a 60-month project initially funded in fiscal year (FY) 2010. The 
Secretary also proposes to extend the project period for one year. The 
proposed waiver and extension would enable the currently funded 
National Interpreter Education Center to receive funding through 
September 30, 2016.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before May 18, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. We will not 
accept comments submitted by fax or by email or those submitted after 
the comment period. To ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies, 
please submit your comments only once. In addition, please include the 
Docket ID at the top of your comments.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to 
submit your comments electronically. Information on using 
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing agency

[[Page 21197]]

documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket, is available on 
the site under ``Are you new to the site?''
     Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery: If you 
mail or deliver your comments about this proposed waiver and extension 
of the project period, address them to Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5027, 
Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2800.
    Privacy Note: The Department's policy is to make all comments 
received from members of the public available for public viewing in 
their entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include 
in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly 
available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez. 
Telephone: (202) 245-6103 or by email: Kristen.rhinehart@ed.gov.
    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: 
    Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments about this 
proposed waiver and extension of the project period. During and after 
the comment period, you may inspect all public comments about this 
proposed waiver and extension of the project period by accessing 
Regulations.gov. You may also inspect all public comments about this 
proposal in Room 5027, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street SW., 
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 supply 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 proposed waiver and extension of the 
project period. 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.

Background

    On May 17, 2010, the Department published a notice inviting 
applications for new awards for FY 2010 (75 FR 27539) for a National 
Interpreter Education Center (National Center) to be funded under the 
Rehabilitation Training Program, authorized under section 302 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). The 
purpose of the National Center is to assist Regional Interpreter 
Education Centers (Regional Centers) to train a sufficient number of 
qualified interpreters to meet the communications needs of individuals 
who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind. The 
Department awarded a grant to one National Center in FY 2010 for a 
period of 60 months. This project is scheduled to end on September 30, 
2015.
    We have determined that it would not be in the public interest to 
run a competition under this program in FY 2015 for a new National 
Center. RSA has funded interpreter training programs since 1964 to meet 
the needs of its vocational rehabilitation (VR) consumers who are deaf, 
hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. At each critical juncture RSA has re-
evaluated its interpreter training program to determine how to best 
meet the evolving needs of consumers of interpreting services. In the 
course of this ongoing re-evaluation, we have concluded that, since 
2005, when the current priority was established for the National 
Center, the training needs of interpreters have changed as a result of 
new and emerging issues facing VR consumers who are deaf, hard of 
hearing, and deaf-blind.
    Conducting a competition before the Department has had an 
opportunity to engage in strategic planning activities for the current 
program could result in (1) an ineffective or poorly targeted 
investment that would not meet the training needs of qualified 
interpreters and (2) the inability to sufficiently meet the 
communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and 
individuals who are deaf-blind. We intend to use the remainder of FY 
2015 and part of FY 2016 to consider how a National Center can best 
support the work of the Regional Centers; influence the field of 
interpreter education; and ultimately meet the current and future needs 
of VR consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind so that 
they can obtain competitive integrated employment. We also plan to 
engage consumers, consumer organizations, community resources, service 
providers (especially VR agencies), VR State coordinators for the deaf, 
rehabilitation counselors for the deaf, and other appropriate 
individuals and entities about their ongoing and projected needs for a 
National Center, as well as gather examples of how they might utilize a 
National Center in the future. These activities will inform new funding 
priorities planned in FY 2016 for this program.
    We have also concluded that it would be contrary to the public 
interest to have a lapse in the provision of the training currently 
provided by the National Center. Allowing funding to lapse before a new 
interpreter education delivery system can be implemented would leave 
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are 
deaf-blind without necessary supports in the event that critical needs 
arise.
    For these reasons, the Secretary proposes to waive the requirements 
in 34 CFR 75.250, which prohibit project periods exceeding five years, 
and the requirements in 34 CFR 75.261(c)(2), which limit the extension 
of a project period if the extension involves the obligation of 
additional Federal funds, and to issue a continuation award to the 
current National Center. Under this proposal, the current grantee with 
a project period ending on September 30, 2015, would receive funding to 
operate for an additional 12 months. Consequently, the expiration date 
for this grant would be September 30, 2016. With this proposed waiver 
and extension of the project period, the National Center will be 
required to develop a plan to demonstrate how it will continue to carry 
out activities during the year of the continuation award consistent 
with the scope, goals, and objectives of the grantee's application as 
approved in the 2010 competition. Such a plan should be submitted to 
RSA for review and approval by September 1, 2015.
    If the proposed waiver and extension of the project period are 
announced in a final notice in the Federal Register, the requirements 
applicable to continuation awards for this competition set forth in the 
2010 notice inviting applications and the requirements in 34 CFR 75.253 
would apply to any continuation award sought by the current grantee. If 
we announce the waiver and extension as final, we will base our 
decision regarding a continuation award on the program narrative, 
budget, budget narrative, and program performance reports submitted by 
the current grantee, and the requirements in 34 CFR 75.253.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Secretary certifies that this proposed waiver and extension of 
the project period would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The only entities that would be 
affected are the current grantee receiving Federal

[[Page 21198]]

funds to serve as the National Center and any other potential 
applicants.
    The Secretary certifies that the proposed waiver and extension 
would not have a significant economic impact on these entities because 
the extension of an existing project imposes minimal compliance costs, 
and the activities required to support the additional year of funding 
would not impose additional regulatory burdens or require unnecessary 
Federal supervision.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period 
does not contain any information collection requirements.
    Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to the 
requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR 
part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The 
Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local 
governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial 
assistance. This document provides early notification of our specific 
plans and actions for this program.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    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.thefederalregister.org/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: April 13, 2015.
Sue Swenson,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-08909 Filed 4-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 74 / Friday, April 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 21197

documents, submitting comments, and 27539) for a National Interpreter National Center in the future. These
viewing the docket, is available on the Education Center (National Center) to be activities will inform new funding
site under ‘‘Are you new to the site?’’ funded under the Rehabilitation priorities planned in FY 2016 for this
• Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, Training Program, authorized under program.
or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver section 302 of the Rehabilitation Act of We have also concluded that it would
your comments about this proposed 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). be contrary to the public interest to have
waiver and extension of the project The purpose of the National Center is to a lapse in the provision of the training
period, address them to Kristen assist Regional Interpreter Education currently provided by the National
Rhinehart-Fernandez, U.S. Department Centers (Regional Centers) to train a Center. Allowing funding to lapse before
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue sufficient number of qualified a new interpreter education delivery
SW., Room 5027, Potomac Center Plaza interpreters to meet the communications system can be implemented would leave
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202–2800. needs of individuals who are deaf or individuals who are deaf or hard of
Privacy Note: The Department’s hard of hearing and individuals who are hearing and individuals who are deaf-
policy is to make all comments received deaf-blind. The Department awarded a blind without necessary supports in the
from members of the public available for grant to one National Center in FY 2010 event that critical needs arise.
public viewing in their entirety on the for a period of 60 months. This project For these reasons, the Secretary
Federal eRulemaking Portal at is scheduled to end on September 30, proposes to waive the requirements in
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, 2015. 34 CFR 75.250, which prohibit project
commenters should be careful to We have determined that it would not periods exceeding five years, and the
include in their comments only be in the public interest to run a requirements in 34 CFR 75.261(c)(2),
information that they wish to make competition under this program in FY which limit the extension of a project
publicly available. 2015 for a new National Center. RSA period if the extension involves the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: has funded interpreter training obligation of additional Federal funds,
programs since 1964 to meet the needs and to issue a continuation award to the
Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez.
of its vocational rehabilitation (VR) current National Center. Under this
Telephone: (202) 245–6103 or by email:
consumers who are deaf, hard of proposal, the current grantee with a
Kristen.rhinehart@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications hearing, and deaf-blind. At each critical project period ending on September 30,
juncture RSA has re-evaluated its 2015, would receive funding to operate
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
interpreter training program to for an additional 12 months.
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
determine how to best meet the evolving Consequently, the expiration date for
Service (FRS), toll-free, at 1–800–877–
needs of consumers of interpreting this grant would be September 30, 2016.
8339.
services. In the course of this ongoing With this proposed waiver and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: re-evaluation, we have concluded that, extension of the project period, the
Invitation to Comment: We invite you since 2005, when the current priority National Center will be required to
to submit comments about this was established for the National Center, develop a plan to demonstrate how it
proposed waiver and extension of the the training needs of interpreters have will continue to carry out activities
project period. During and after the changed as a result of new and emerging during the year of the continuation
comment period, you may inspect all issues facing VR consumers who are award consistent with the scope, goals,
public comments about this proposed deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. and objectives of the grantee’s
waiver and extension of the project Conducting a competition before the application as approved in the 2010
period by accessing Regulations.gov. Department has had an opportunity to competition. Such a plan should be
You may also inspect all public engage in strategic planning activities submitted to RSA for review and
comments about this proposal in Room for the current program could result in approval by September 1, 2015.
5027, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th (1) an ineffective or poorly targeted If the proposed waiver and extension
Street SW., Washington, DC, between investment that would not meet the of the project period are announced in
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., training needs of qualified interpreters a final notice in the Federal Register,
Washington, DC time, Monday through and (2) the inability to sufficiently meet the requirements applicable to
Friday of each week except Federal the communication needs of individuals continuation awards for this
holidays. who are deaf or hard of hearing and competition set forth in the 2010 notice
Assistance to Individuals with individuals who are deaf-blind. We inviting applications and the
Disabilities in Reviewing the intend to use the remainder of FY 2015 requirements in 34 CFR 75.253 would
Rulemaking Record: On request we will and part of FY 2016 to consider how a apply to any continuation award sought
supply an appropriate accommodation National Center can best support the by the current grantee. If we announce
or auxiliary aid to an individual with a work of the Regional Centers; influence the waiver and extension as final, we
disability who needs assistance to the field of interpreter education; and will base our decision regarding a
review the comments or other ultimately meet the current and future continuation award on the program
documents in the public rulemaking needs of VR consumers who are deaf, narrative, budget, budget narrative, and
record for this proposed waiver and hard of hearing, and deaf-blind so that program performance reports submitted
extension of the project period. If you they can obtain competitive integrated by the current grantee, and the
want to schedule an appointment for employment. We also plan to engage requirements in 34 CFR 75.253.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

this type of accommodation or auxiliary consumers, consumer organizations,
community resources, service providers Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
aid, please contact the person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (especially VR agencies), VR State The Secretary certifies that this
CONTACT. coordinators for the deaf, rehabilitation proposed waiver and extension of the
counselors for the deaf, and other project period would not have a
Background appropriate individuals and entities significant economic impact on a
On May 17, 2010, the Department about their ongoing and projected needs substantial number of small entities.
published a notice inviting applications for a National Center, as well as gather The only entities that would be affected
for new awards for FY 2010 (75 FR examples of how they might utilize a are the current grantee receiving Federal

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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:20:30
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:20:30

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed waiver and extension of the project period.
Dates		We must receive your comments on or before May 18, 2015.
Contact		Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez. Telephone: (202) 245-6103 or by email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 21196