80 FR 21729 - 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 | 21729-21731 | |
| FR Document | 2015-09028 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 21729-21731] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-09028] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Community Living 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [CFDA Number: 84.133B-3] 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, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we announce a priority for an RRTC on Employment Policy and Measurement. 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 outcomes for individuals with disabilities. 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: patricia.barrett@acl.hhs.gov. [[Page 21730]] 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 on Employment Policy and Measurement. The purpose of the proposed RRTC on Employment Policy and Measurement (RRTC-EPM) is to investigate the impact of Federal and State policies and programs on employment of individuals with disabilities, paying particular attention to the effects of program interactions. The RRTC-EPM will also examine new ways of measuring employment outcomes and facilitate the translation of research findings to guide policymaking and program administration. Applicants must identify targeted research questions in response to the problems identified below and propose rigorous research methodologies to answer these questions. Of particular interest is research that investigates the interaction between the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and employment. The desired outcome of this investment is new knowledge about the effect of new or existing policies on employment-related decision-making of individuals with disabilities, and ultimately on rates and quality of employment by these individuals. The RRTC must contribute to improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities by: (a) Generating new knowledge about the effects of program interactions on employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities, including but not necessarily limited to the interaction between Social Security disability benefit programs and the ACA. Specifically, the RRTC must generate new knowledge of the potential impacts of varied policy scenarios regarding the SSDI trust fund exhaustion on the employment and economic outcomes of individuals with disabilities. (b) Developing reliable and valid methods of measuring employment outcomes for people with disabilities; (c) Serving as a national resource center on policy issues that impact employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities, and (d) Increasing incorporation of research findings from the RRTC into practice or policy by: (1) Collaborating with stakeholder groups to develop, evaluate, or implement strategies to increase utilization of research findings; (2) Conducting training and dissemination activities to facilitate the utilization of research findings by policymakers, employers, and individuals with disabilities; (3) Providing technical assistance to facilitate use of information produced by the RRTC research; and (4) Collaborating and sharing information with other agencies across the Federal government. In addition, the RRTC must collaborate with appropriate NIDILRR-funded grantees, including knowledge translation grantees and grantees involved with employment research. 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 (45 CFR part 75). 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. 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 [[Page 21731]] 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. 2015-09028 Filed 4-17-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 41050-01-P
![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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:56 Apr 17, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_21804/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 75 / Monday, April 20, 2015 / Notices 21731
referred to as an ‘‘economically benefits justify its costs. In choosing Dated: April 14, 2015.
significant’’ rule); among alternative regulatory John Tschida,
(2) Create serious inconsistency or approaches, we selected those Director, National Institute on Disability,
otherwise interfere with an action taken approaches that maximize net benefits. Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
or planned by another agency; Based on the analysis that follows, the Research.
(3) Materially alter the budgetary Administration for Community Living [FR Doc. 2015–09028 Filed 4–17–15; 8:45 am]
impacts of entitlement grants, user fees, (ACL), Department of Health and BILLING CODE 41050–01–P
or loan programs or the rights and Human Services believes that this
obligations of recipients thereof; or
regulatory action is consistent with the
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
arising out of legal mandates, the principles in Executive Order 13563.
HUMAN SERVICES
President’s priorities, or the principles We also have determined that this
stated in the Executive order. regulatory action does not unduly Administration for Community Living
This final regulatory action is not a interfere with State, local, and tribal [CFDA Number: 84.133B–1]
significant regulatory action subject to governments in the exercise of their
review by OMB under section 3(f) of governmental functions. Final Priority: National Institute on
Executive Order 12866. In accordance with both Executive Disability, Independent Living, and
We have also reviewed this final Rehabilitation Research—
orders, ACL assessed the potential costs
regulatory action under Executive Order Rehabilitation Research and Training
13563, which supplements and and benefits, both quantitative and
qualitative, of this regulatory action. Centers
explicitly reaffirms the principles,
structures, and definitions governing The potential costs are those resulting AGENCY: Administration for Community
regulatory review established in from statutory requirements and those Living, Department of Health and
Executive Order 12866. To the extent we have determined as necessary for Human Services.
permitted by law, Executive Order administering the ACL’s programs and ACTION: Final priority.
13563 requires that an agency— activities.
(1) Propose or adopt regulations only The benefits of the Disability and SUMMARY: The Administrator of the
upon a reasoned determination that Rehabilitation Research Projects and Administration for Community Living
their benefits justify their costs Centers Program have been well announces a priority for the
(recognizing that some benefits and Rehabilitation Research and Training
established over the years, as projects
costs are difficult to quantify); Center (RRTC) Program administered by
similar to the one envisioned by the
(2) Tailor its regulations to impose the the National Institute on Disability,
final priority have been completed Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
least burden on society, consistent with
successfully, and the proposed priority Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we
obtaining regulatory objectives and
taking into account—among other things will generate new knowledge through announce a priority for an RRTC on
and to the extent practicable—the costs research. The new RRTC will generate, Employer Practices Leading to
of cumulative regulations; disseminate, and promote the use of Successful Employment Outcomes for
(3) In choosing among alternative new information that would improve Individuals with Disabilities. The
regulatory approaches, select those outcomes for individuals with Administrator of the Administration for
approaches that maximize net benefits disabilities in the areas of community Community Living may use this priority
(including potential economic, living and participation, employment, for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2015
environmental, public health and safety, and health and function. and later years. We take this action to
and other advantages; distributive Electronic Access to This Document: focus research attention on an area of
impacts; and equity); The official version of this document is national need. We intend for this
(4) To the extent feasible, specify the document published in the Federal priority to contribute to improved
performance objectives, rather than the Register. Free Internet access to the employment practices and successful
behavior or manner of compliance a employment outcomes for individuals
official edition of the Federal Register
regulated entity must adopt; and with disabilities.
(5) Identify and assess available and the Code of Federal Regulations is
available via the Federal Digital System DATES: Effective Date: This priority is
alternatives to direct regulation, effective May 20, 2015.
including economic incentives—such as at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
can view this document, as well as all FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
user fees or marketable permits—to
other documents of ACL published in Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of
encourage the desired behavior, or
the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Health And Human Services, 400
provide information that enables the
Portable Document Format (PDF). To Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142,
public to make choices.
Executive Order 13563 also requires use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Potomac Center Plaza (PCP),
an agency ‘‘to use the best available Reader, which is available free at the Washington, DC 20202–2700.
techniques to quantify anticipated site. Telephone: (202) 245–6211 or by email:
present and future benefits and costs as patricia.barrett@acl.hhs.gov.
You may also access documents of the If you use a telecommunications
accurately as possible.’’ The Office of Department published in the Federal
Information and Regulatory Affairs of device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
Register by using the article search telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
OMB has emphasized that these feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
techniques may include ‘‘identifying Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
Specifically, through the advanced 8339.
changing future compliance costs that
search feature at this site, you can limit SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
might result from technological
innovation or anticipated behavioral your search to documents published by Purpose of Program: The purpose of
changes.’’ the Department. the Disability and Rehabilitation
We are issuing this final priority only Research Projects and Centers Program
on a reasoned determination that its is to plan and conduct research,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:56 Apr 17, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_21804/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:12:44
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:12:44
| 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 21729 |
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