80 FR 21731 - 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 | 21731-21733 | |
| FR Document | 2015-09034 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 21731-21733] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-09034] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Community Living [CFDA Number: 84.133B-1] 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, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we announce a priority for an RRTC on Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities. 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 practices and successful 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: [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, [[Page 21732]] 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 Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities. The purpose of the RRTC is to generate new knowledge about effective employer practices that support successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The RRTC must contribute to improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities by: (a) Identifying promising employer practices most strongly associated with desired employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities as well as the prevalence of these practices. Practices should include those related to the hiring, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities. (b) Developing measures of employment outcomes that include hiring, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities. These measures must be developed for use by employers and other stakeholders. These measures may also include employment quality, such as, but not limited to, earnings, full- or part-time employment, or opportunities for on-the-job training. In developing these measures, the RRTC must collaborate with the NIDILRR-funded RRTC on Employment Policy and Measurement. (c) Generating new knowledge of the effectiveness of promising employer practices by identifying or developing, and then implementing and evaluating pilot workplace program(s) based on practices identified in (a). This work should be conducted in employment settings in collaboration with employers, and should include: (1) Implementation of practices that are particularly likely to be effective in improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities; (2) Implementation of practices among different types of employers (e.g., small v. large employers, private v. public sector employers); (3) Collection of data using, but not limited to, outcome measures from (b) above. (d) 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).) (e) Serving as a national resource center related to employment for individuals with disabilities, their families, and other stakeholders by conducting knowledge translation activities that include, but are not limited to: (1) Providing information and technical assistance to employers, employment service providers, employer groups, individuals with disabilities and their representatives, and other key stakeholders; (2) Providing training, including graduate, pre-service, and in- service training, to employers and employer groups, to facilitate more effective employer practices for individuals with disabilities. This training may be provided through conferences, workshops, public education programs, in-service training programs, and similar activities; (3) Disseminating research-based information and materials related to increasing employment levels for individuals with disabilities; and (4) 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 (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 [[Page 21733]] 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. 2015-09034 Filed 4-17-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4154-01-P
![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_21806/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 75 / Monday, April 20, 2015 / Notices 21733
review by the Office of Management and techniques to quantify anticipated feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive present and future benefits and costs as Specifically, through the advanced
Order 12866 defines a ‘‘significant accurately as possible.’’ The Office of search feature at this site, you can limit
regulatory action’’ as an action likely to Information and Regulatory Affairs of your search to documents published by
result in a rule that may— OMB has emphasized that these the Department.
(1) Have an annual effect on the techniques may include ‘‘identifying Dated: April 14, 2015.
economy of $100 million or more, or changing future compliance costs that
John Tschida,
adversely affect a sector of the economy, might result from technological
Director, National Institute on Disability,
productivity, competition, jobs, the innovation or anticipated behavioral
Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
environment, public health or safety, or changes.’’ Research.
State, local, or tribal governments or We are issuing this final priority only
[FR Doc. 2015–09034 Filed 4–17–15; 8:45 am]
communities in a material way (also on a reasoned determination that its
benefits justify its costs. In choosing BILLING CODE 4154–01–P
referred to as an ‘‘economically
significant’’ rule); among alternative regulatory
(2) Create serious inconsistency or approaches, we selected those
approaches that maximize net benefits. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
otherwise interfere with an action taken
Based on the analysis that follows, the HUMAN SERVICES
or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary Administration for Community Living Administration for Community Living
impacts of entitlement grants, user fees, (ACL), Department of Health and
or loan programs or the rights and Human Services believes that this Applications for New Awards; National
obligations of recipients thereof; or regulatory action is consistent with the Institute on Disability, Independent
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues principles in Executive Order 13563. Living, and 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: Notice.
We have also reviewed this final and benefits, both quantitative and
regulatory action under Executive Order qualitative, of this regulatory action. Overview Information:
13563, which supplements and The potential costs are those resulting National Institute on Disability,
explicitly reaffirms the principles, from statutory requirements and those Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
structures, and definitions governing we have determined as necessary for Research (NIDILRR)—Rehabilitation
regulatory review established in administering the ACL’s programs and Research and Training Centers (RRTC)—
Executive Order 12866. To the extent activities. Employment Policy and Measurement
permitted by law, Executive Order The benefits of the Disability and Notice inviting applications for new
13563 requires that an agency— Rehabilitation Research Projects and awards for fiscal year (FY) 2015.
(1) Propose or adopt regulations only Centers Program have been well
established over the years, as projects Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
upon a reasoned determination that (CFDA) Number: 84.133B–3.
their benefits justify their costs similar to the one envisioned by the
(recognizing that some benefits and final priority have been completed DATES: Applications Available: April 20,
costs are difficult to quantify); successfully, and the proposed priority 2015.
(2) Tailor its regulations to impose the will generate new knowledge through
Note: On July 22, 2014, President Obama
least burden on society, consistent with research. The new RRTC will generate,
signed the Workforce Innovation
obtaining regulatory objectives and disseminate, and promote the use of Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA was
taking into account—among other things new information that would improve effective immediately. One provision of
and to the extent practicable—the costs outcomes for individuals with WIOA transferred the National Institute on
of cumulative regulations; disabilities in the areas of community Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(3) In choosing among alternative living and participation, employment, (NIDRR) from the Department of Education to
regulatory approaches, select those and health and function. the Administration for Community Living
approaches that maximize net benefits Electronic Access to This Document: (ACL) in the Department of Health and
(including potential economic, The official version of this document is Human Services. In addition, NIDRR’s name
the document published in the Federal was changed to the Institute on Disability,
environmental, public health and safety, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
and other advantages; distributive Register. Free Internet access to the Research (NIDILRR). For FY 2015, all
impacts; and equity); official edition of the Federal Register NIDILRR priority notices will be published as
(4) To the extent feasible, specify and the Code of Federal Regulations is ACL notices, and ACL will make all NIDILRR
performance objectives, rather than the available via the Federal Digital System awards. During this transition period,
behavior or manner of compliance a at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you however, NIDILRR will continue to review
regulated entity must adopt; and can view this document, as well as all grant applications using Department of
(5) Identify and assess available other documents of ACL published in Education tools. NIDILRR will post
previously-approved application kits to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
alternatives to direct regulation, the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
including economic incentives—such as Portable Document Format (PDF). To grants.gov, and NIDILRR applications
submitted to grants.gov will be forwarded to
user fees or marketable permits—to use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat the Department of Education’s G–5 system
encourage the desired behavior, or Reader, which is available free at the for peer review. We are using Department of
provide information that enables the site. Education application kits and peer review
public to make choices. You may also access documents of the systems during this transition year in order
Executive Order 13563 also requires Department published in the Federal to provide for a smooth and orderly process
an agency ‘‘to use the best available Register by using the article search for our applicants.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:56 Apr 17, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_21806/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:12:59
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:12:59
| 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 21731 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR