80 FR 21727 - Final Priority: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Community Living Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 75 (April 20, 2015)
Administration for Community Living
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 75 (April 20, 2015)
| Page Range | 21727-21729 | |
| FR Document | 2015-09016 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 21727-21729] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-09016] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Community Living [CFDA Number: 84.133B-5] Final Priority: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research--Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers AGENCY: Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Final priority. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living announces a priority for the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) Program administered by the National Institute on Disability, [[Page 21728]] Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we announce a priority for an RRTC on Employment for Individuals with Blindness or other Visual Impairments. The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2015 and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on an area of national need. We intend for this priority to contribute to improved employment for individuals with blindness or other visual impairments. DATES: Effective Date: This priority is effective May 20, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of Health And Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245- 6211 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: 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, 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). Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers The purpose of the RRTCs, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topical areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, policymakers and other research stakeholders. Additional information on the RRTC program can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/rrtc/index.html#types. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2)(A). Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350. We published a notice of proposed priority (NPP) for this program in the Federal Register on February 25, 2015 (80 FR 10099). That notice contained background information and our reasons for proposing the particular priority. There are no differences between the proposed priority and this final priority. Public Comment: In response to our invitation in the notice of proposed priority we did not receive any comments on the proposed priority. Final Priority: The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living establishes a priority for an RRTC to conduct research on Employment for Individuals with Blindness or other Visual Impairments. The purpose of the proposed RRTC is to conduct research that generates new knowledge about the efficacy of rehabilitative services and technology used to support improved employment outcomes of individuals with blindness or other visual impairments, including subpopulations that are the focus of this priority. The RRTC must contribute to improving the employment outcomes of individuals with blindness or other visual impairments by: (a) Conducting research on the efficacy of rehabilitation services and technology used to enhance employment outcomes of individuals with blindness or other visual impairments. Outcomes must include but are not limited to obtaining employment, retention, promotion, and quality of salary and benefits. The RRTC must focus its research on the target population of individuals with blindness or other visual impairments, including at least one of the following subpopulations of particular concern: (1) Individuals who are deaf-blind; (2) individuals with blindness or low vision related to traumatic brain injury; and (3) transition-age young people with blindness or other visual impairments; (b) Generating new knowledge about how the outcomes of the services and technologies investigated in paragraph (a) vary with relevant variables such as service type, consumer characteristics, and provider characteristics; (c) Focusing its research on one or more specific stages of research. If the RRTC is to conduct research that can be categorized under more than one of the research stages, or research that progresses from one stage to another, those stages should be clearly justified. (These stages and their definitions are provided at the end of the background statement section of the notice of proposed priority published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2015 (80 FR 10099)); (d) Serving as a national resource center related to employment for individuals with blindness or other visual impairments, their families, and other stakeholders by conducting knowledge translation, technical assistance, and training activities; (e) Disseminating research-based information and materials related to improving the quality of services to individuals with blindness or other visual impairments; and (f) Involving key stakeholder groups in the activities conducted under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this priority to promote the new knowledge generated by the RRTC. 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 (45 CFR part 75); or (2) selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of comparable merit that does not meet the priority (45 CFR part 75). 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 (45 CFR part 75). 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. [[Page 21729]] 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 final 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 final 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 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 final priority only on a reasoned determination that its benefits justify its costs. In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, we selected those approaches that maximize net benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services believes that this regulatory action is consistent with the principles in Executive Order 13563. We also have determined that this regulatory action does not unduly interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the exercise of their governmental functions. In accordance with both Executive orders, ACL assessed the potential costs and benefits, both quantitative and qualitative, of this regulatory action. The potential costs are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined as necessary for administering the ACL's programs and activities. The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program have been well established over the years, as projects similar to the one envisioned by the final priority have been completed successfully, and the proposed priority will generate new knowledge through research. The new RRTC will generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new information that would improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities in the areas of community living and participation, employment, and health and function. 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 ACL 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 14, 2015. John Tschida, Director, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. [FR Doc. 2015-09016 Filed 4-17-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4154-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 75 / Monday, April 20, 2015 / Notices 21727
Award (NOA); or we may send you an If you receive a multi-year award, you VII. Agency Contact
email containing a link to access an must submit an annual performance
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
electronic version of your NOA. We may report that provides the most current
notify you informally, also. performance and financial expenditure Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of
information. Annual and Final Health and Human Services, 400
If your application is not evaluated or
Performance reports will be submitted Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142,
not selected for funding, we notify you.
through NIDILRR’s online Performance PCP, Washington, DC 20202–2700.
2. Administrative and National Policy
System and as designated in the terms Telephone: (202) 245–6211 or by email:
Requirements: We identify
and conditions of your NOA. At the end patricia.barrett@acl.hhs.gov.
administrative and national policy
If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the
requirements in the application package of your project period, you must submit
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at
and reference these and other a final performance report, including
1–800–877–8339.
requirements in the Applicable financial information.
Regulations section of this notice. Note: NIDILRR will provide VIII. Other Information
We reference the regulations outlining information by letter to successful Electronic Access to This Document:
the terms and conditions of an award in grantees on how and when to submit the The official version of this document is
the Applicable Regulations section of report. the document published in the Federal
this notice and include these and other 4. Performance Measures: To evaluate Register. Free Internet access to the
specific conditions in the NOA. The the overall success of its research official edition of the Federal Register
NOA also incorporates your approved program, NIDILRR assesses the quality and the Code of Federal Regulations is
application as part of your binding of its funded projects through a review available via the Federal Digital System
commitments under the grant. of grantee performance and at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a accomplishments. Each year, NIDILRR can view this document, as well as all
grant under this competition, you must examines a portion of its grantees to other documents of this Department
ensure that you have in place the determine: published in the Federal Register, in
necessary processes and systems to • The number of products (e.g., new text or Adobe Portable Document
comply with the reporting requirements or improved tools, methods, discoveries, Format (PDF). To use PDF you must
in 45 CFR part 75 should you receive standards, interventions, programs, or have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
funding under the competition. This devices developed or tested with available free at the site.
does not apply if you have an exception NIDILRR funding) that have been judged You may also access documents of the
under 45 CFR part 75. by expert panels to be of high quality Department published in the Federal
(b) At the end of your project period, and to advance the field. Register by using the article search
you must submit a final performance feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
• The average number of publications
report, including financial information, Specifically, through the advanced
per award based on NIDILRR-funded
as directed by the Administrator of the search feature at this site, you can limit
research and development activities in
Administration for Community Living. your search to documents published by
refereed journals.
If you receive a multi-year award, you the Department.
must submit an annual performance • The percentage of new NIDILRR
grants that assess the effectiveness of Dated: April 15, 2015.
report that provides the most current
performance and financial expenditure interventions, programs, and devices John Tschida,
information as directed by the using rigorous methods. Director, National Institute on Disability,
Administrator of the Administration for NIDILRR uses information submitted Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
by grantees as part of their Annual Research.
Community Living under 45 CFR part
Performance Reports for these reviews. [FR Doc. 2015–09032 Filed 4–17–15; 8:45 am]
75. All NIDILRR grantees will submit
their annual and final reports through BILLING CODE 4154–01––P
5. Continuation Awards: In making a
NIDILRR’s online reporting system and continuation award, the Administrator
as designated in the terms and of the Administration for Community
conditions of your NOA. The DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
Living may consider, under 45 CFR part
Administrator of the Administration for HUMAN SERVICES
75, the extent to which a grantee has
Community Living may also require made ‘‘substantial progress toward Administration for Community Living
more frequent performance reports meeting the objectives in its approved
under 45 CFR part 75. For specific application.’’ This consideration [CFDA Number: 84.133B–5]
requirements on reporting, please go to includes the review of a grantee’s
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/ progress in meeting the targets and Final Priority: National Institute on
appforms/appforms.html. projected outcomes in its approved Disability, Independent Living, and
(c) FFATA and FSRS Reporting application, and whether the grantee Rehabilitation Research—
The Federal Financial Accountability has expended funds in a manner that is Rehabilitation Research and Training
and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires consistent with its approved application Centers
data entry at the FFATA Subaward and budget. In making a continuation AGENCY: Administration for Community
Reporting System (http:// grant, the Administrator also considers Living, Department of Health and
www.FSRS.gov) for all sub-awards and whether the grantee is operating in Human Services.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
sub-contracts issued for $25,000 or more compliance with the assurances in its ACTION: Final priority.
as well as addressing executive approved application, including those
compensation for both grantee and sub- applicable to Federal civil rights laws SUMMARY: The Administrator of the
award organizations. that prohibit discrimination in programs Administration for Community Living
For further guidance please see the or activities receiving Federal financial announces a priority for the
following link: http://www.acl.gov/ assistance from the Department. Rehabilitation Research and Training
Funding_Opportunities/Grantee_Info/ Continuation funding is also subject to Center (RRTC) Program administered by
FFATA.aspx. availability of funds. the National Institute on Disability,
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 75 / Monday, April 20, 2015 / Notices 21729
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (5) Identify and assess available other documents of ACL published in
alternatives to direct regulation, the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Regulatory Impact Analysis
including economic incentives—such as Portable Document Format (PDF). To
Under Executive Order 12866, the user fees or marketable permits—to use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat
Secretary must determine whether this encourage the desired behavior, or Reader, which is available free at the
regulatory action is ‘‘significant’’ and, provide information that enables the site.
therefore, subject to the requirements of public to make choices. You may also access documents of the
the Executive order and subject to Executive Order 13563 also requires Department published in the Federal
review by the Office of Management and an agency ‘‘to use the best available Register by using the article search
Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive techniques to quantify anticipated feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
Order 12866 defines a ‘‘significant present and future benefits and costs as Specifically, through the advanced
regulatory action’’ as an action likely to accurately as possible.’’ The Office of search feature at this site, you can limit
result in a rule that may— Information and Regulatory Affairs of your search to documents published by
(1) Have an annual effect on the OMB has emphasized that these the Department.
economy of $100 million or more, or techniques may include ‘‘identifying Dated: April 14, 2015.
adversely affect a sector of the economy, changing future compliance costs that John Tschida,
productivity, competition, jobs, the might result from technological
Director, National Institute on Disability,
environment, public health or safety, or innovation or anticipated behavioral Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
State, local, or tribal governments or changes.’’ Research.
communities in a material way (also We are issuing this final priority only
[FR Doc. 2015–09016 Filed 4–17–15; 8:45 am]
referred to as an ‘‘economically on a reasoned determination that its
BILLING CODE 4154–01–P
significant’’ rule); benefits justify its costs. In choosing
(2) Create serious inconsistency or among alternative regulatory
otherwise interfere with an action taken approaches, we selected those DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
or planned by another agency; approaches that maximize net benefits. HUMAN SERVICES
(3) Materially alter the budgetary Based on the analysis that follows, the
impacts of entitlement grants, user fees, Administration for Community Living Administration for Community Living
or loan programs or the rights and (ACL), Department of Health and
obligations of recipients thereof; or Human Services believes that this Final Priority: National Institute on
regulatory action is consistent with the Disability, Independent Living, and
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues
principles in Executive Order 13563. Rehabilitation Research—
arising out of legal mandates, the We also have determined that this Rehabilitation Research and Training
President’s priorities, or the principles regulatory action does not unduly Centers
stated in the Executive order. interfere with State, local, and tribal
This final regulatory action is not a governments in the exercise of their AGENCY: Administration for Community
significant regulatory action subject to governmental functions. Living, Department of Health and
review by OMB under section 3(f) of In accordance with both Executive Human Services.
Executive Order 12866. orders, ACL assessed the potential costs ACTION: Final priority.
We have also reviewed this final and benefits, both quantitative and
regulatory action under Executive Order [CFDA Number: 84.133B–3]
qualitative, of this regulatory action.
13563, which supplements and The potential costs are those resulting SUMMARY: The Administrator of the
explicitly reaffirms the principles, from statutory requirements and those Administration for Community Living
structures, and definitions governing we have determined as necessary for announces a priority for the
regulatory review established in administering the ACL’s programs and Rehabilitation Research and Training
Executive Order 12866. To the extent activities. Center (RRTC) Program administered by
permitted by law, Executive Order The benefits of the Disability and the National Institute on Disability,
13563 requires that an agency— Rehabilitation Research Projects and Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
(1) Propose or adopt regulations only Centers Program have been well Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we
upon a reasoned determination that established over the years, as projects announce a priority for an RRTC on
their benefits justify their costs similar to the one envisioned by the Employment Policy and Measurement.
(recognizing that some benefits and final priority have been completed The Administrator of the
costs are difficult to quantify); successfully, and the proposed priority Administration for Community Living
(2) Tailor its regulations to impose the will generate new knowledge through may use this priority for competitions in
least burden on society, consistent with research. The new RRTC will generate, fiscal year (FY) 2015 and later years. We
obtaining regulatory objectives and disseminate, and promote the use of take this action to focus research
taking into account—among other things new information that would improve attention on an area of national need.
and to the extent practicable—the costs outcomes for individuals with We intend for this priority to contribute
of cumulative regulations; disabilities in the areas of community to improved employment outcomes for
(3) In choosing among alternative living and participation, employment, individuals with disabilities.
regulatory approaches, select those and health and function. DATES: Effective Date: This priority is
approaches that maximize net benefits Electronic Access to This Document: effective May 20, 2015.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(including potential economic, The official version of this document is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
environmental, public health and safety, the document published in the Federal Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of
and other advantages; distributive Register. Free Internet access to the Health and Human Services, 400
impacts; and equity); official edition of the Federal Register Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142,
(4) To the extent feasible, specify and the Code of Federal Regulations is Potomac Center Plaza (PCP),
performance objectives, rather than the available via the Federal Digital System Washington, DC 20202–2700.
behavior or manner of compliance a at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you Telephone: (202) 245–6211 or by email:
regulated entity must adopt; and can view this document, as well as all patricia.barrett@acl.hhs.gov.
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Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:12:41
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:12:41
| 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 | Notices | |
| Action | Final priority. | |
| Dates | Effective Date: This priority is effective May 20, 2015. | |
| Contact | Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of Health And Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245- 6211 or by email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 21727 |
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