National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)-Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program-Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP)-Transition to Employment, 22767-22769 [2010-10183]
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[FR Doc. 2010–10203 Filed 4–29–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)—
Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers Program—
Disability Rehabilitation Research
Project (DRRP)—Transition to
Employment
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 84.133A–1.
wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with NOTICES_PART 1
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority.
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for
Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services announces a priority for the
Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers Program
administered by NIDRR. Specifically,
this notice announces a priority for a
DRRP on Transition to Employment.
The Assistant Secretary may use this
priority for a competition in fiscal year
(FY) 2010 and later years. We take this
action to focus research attention on
areas of national need. We intend this
priority to improve rehabilitation
services and outcomes for individuals
with disabilities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority is effective
June 1, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
Room 5133, Potomac Center Plaza
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202–2700.
Telephone: (202) 245–7532 or by e-mail:
marlene.spencer@ed.gov.
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If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD), call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at
1–800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice of final priority is in concert with
NIDRR’s Final Long-Range Plan for FY
2005–2009 (Plan). The Plan, which was
published in the Federal Register on
February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8165), can be
accessed on the Internet at the following
site: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/
list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
Through the implementation of the
Plan, NIDRR seeks to: (1) Improve the
quality and utility of disability and
rehabilitation research; (2) foster an
exchange of expertise, information, and
training to facilitate the advancement of
knowledge and understanding of the
unique needs of traditionally
underserved populations; (3) determine
best strategies and programs to improve
rehabilitation outcomes for underserved
populations; (4) identify research gaps;
(5) identify mechanisms of integrating
research and practice; and (6)
disseminate findings.
Purpose of Program:
The purpose of the DRRP program is
to improve the effectiveness of services
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended, by developing
methods, procedures, and rehabilitation
technologies that advance a wide range
of independent living and employment
outcomes for individuals with
disabilities, especially individuals with
the most severe disabilities. DRRPs
carry out one or more of the following
types of activities, as specified and
defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through
350.19: Research, training,
demonstration, development,
dissemination, utilization, and technical
assistance. An applicant for assistance
under this program must demonstrate in
its application how it will address, in
whole or in part, the needs of
individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds (34 CFR
350.40(a)). The approaches an applicant
may take to meet this requirement are
found in 34 CFR 350.40(b). In addition,
NIDRR intends to require all DRRP
applicants to meet the requirements of
the General Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP)
Requirements priority that it published
in a notice of final priorities in the
Federal Register on April 28, 2006 (71
FR 25472).
Additional information on the DRRP
program can be found at: https://
www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/resprogram.html#DRRP.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g)
and 764(a).
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22767
Applicable Program Regulations: 34
CFR part 350.
We published a notice of proposed
priority (NPP) for NIDRR’s Disability
and Rehabilitation Research Projects
and Centers Program in the Federal
Register on December 29, 2009 (74 FR
68808). The NPP included a background
statement that described our rationale
for the priority proposed in that notice.
There is one significant difference
between the NPP and this notice of final
priority (NFP) as discussed in the
following section.
Public Comment:
In response to our invitation in the
NPP, five parties submitted comments
on the proposed priority. An analysis of
the comments and of any changes in the
priority since publication of the NPP
follows.
Generally, we do not address
technical and other minor changes or
suggested changes the law does not
authorize us to make under the
applicable statutory authority. In
addition, we do not address general
comments that raised concerns not
directly related to the proposed priority.
Analysis of Comments and Changes:
Comment: One commenter suggested
that the priority address the effect of
State budget crises on transition
programs.
Discussion: Although the priority
does not explicitly include a
requirement for research on State
finances, nothing in the priority
precludes an applicant from proposing
to examine the effect of this factor on
transition programs and employment
outcomes for youth with disabilities.
However, NIDRR has no basis for
requiring all applicants to focus on State
finances. The peer review process will
determine the merits of each proposal.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked how
NIDRR envisions the relationship
between this priority and other NIDRRfunded projects that address specific
populations of youth with disabilities,
and whether the priority requests a
focus on different subpopulations or is
inclusive of all youth with disabilities.
Discussion: This priority focuses
specifically on transition to
employment, rather than on other
aspects of transition, such as selfdetermination or community
participation. Accordingly, the target
population for this priority is transitionage youth with disabilities who are at
risk for poor employment outcomes,
rather than all youth with disabilities.
We note that under paragraph (b) of the
priority, applicants must identify the
specific at-risk group or groups of
transition-age youth with disabilities
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 83 / Friday, April 30, 2010 / Notices
they propose to study, provide evidence
that the selected population or
populations are, in fact, at risk for poor
employment outcomes, and explain
how the proposed practices are
expected to address the needs of the
population or populations.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked
NIDRR to elaborate on the definition of
disability for purposes of this priority
(e.g., whether the priority should focus
on individuals with disabilities who
have received services under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act, individuals who are considered to
have a disability under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, or individuals
with disabilities who are eligible for the
vocational rehabilitation program).
Discussion: The Rehabilitation Act
(Section 7(20)(B)) defines ‘‘individual
with a disability,’’ with respect to this
program, as any person who ‘‘(i) has a
physical or mental impairment which
substantially limits one or more of such
person’s major life activities; (ii) has a
record of such an impairment; or (iii) is
regarded as having such an
impairment.’’ Within the broad
constraints of this definition, applicants
have the flexibility to specify their target
population for the purposes of their
proposed projects.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter questioned
the relationship between the research
activities to be conducted under
paragraph (a) and the research activities
to be conducted under paragraph (b) of
the priority. The commenter asked
whether proposals should determine the
promising practice(s) to be studied
under paragraph (b) before all of the
research conducted under paragraph (a)
has been completed.
Discussion: Paragraph (a) of the
priority requires the applicant to
conduct research to identify promising
employment-focused practices for
transition-age youth with disabilities.
Paragraph (b) requires the applicant to
conduct research to determine the
effectiveness of promising transition
practices, using at least one of the
promising practices identified in
paragraph (a). NIDRR acknowledges the
difficulty involved in planning to meet
the requirements in paragraph (b) before
the research activities proposed for
paragraph (a) are completed, and
therefore will change paragraph (b) to
make clear that it is not necessary for an
applicant to fully delineate the range of
promising practices under paragraph (a)
before planning the research under
paragraph (b).
Changes: NIDRR has revised the
priority to remove the reference to
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13:41 Apr 29, 2010
Jkt 220001
paragraph (a) in paragraph (b) of the
priority to clarify that the promising
practices evaluated under paragraph (b)
are not wholly dependent on the results
of research conducted by the applicant
under paragraph (a).
Comment: One commenter asked how
NIDRR defines employment outcomes
for the target population. Another
commenter asked whether the research
projects funded under this priority
should demonstrate effects on direct
employment outcomes or on outcomes
related to the employability of the target
population.
Discussion: There is a wide variety of
valid definitions and measures of
employment outcomes, many of which
would be precluded if NIDRR specified
those measures and outcomes in the
priority. Therefore, NIDRR is not
providing a definition of employment
outcome nor is it specifying the types of
employment outcomes an applicant
should use. Instead, NIDRR encourages
applicants to use definitions and
outcome measures that are appropriate
to the research projects being proposed.
The peer review process will determine
the merits of each application.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter
recommended that the priority focus on
effective practices and interventions for
individuals who are deaf-blind.
Discussion: Paragraph (b) of the
priority requires applicants to identify
the specific at-risk group or groups of
transition-age youth with disabilities
they propose to study, provide evidence
that the selected population or
populations are, in fact, at risk for poor
employment outcomes, and explain
how the proposed practices are
expected to address the needs of the
population or populations. Provided an
applicant meets these requirements, it is
not limited in the characteristics of the
subpopulations it may identify and
therefore could choose to include youth
who are deaf-blind in its proposed
project.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter
encouraged NIDRR to recognize
organized recreational and competitive
sports programs for youth with
disabilities as a promising practice in
helping to address poor employment
outcomes among transition-age youth
with disabilities.
Discussion: Paragraph (a) of the
priority specifies that the research
conducted under this priority should
generate new knowledge of promising
transition practices, and paragraph (b)
requires research on the effectiveness of
transition practices for a particular
subpopulation of transition-age youth
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
with disabilities who are at risk for poor
employment outcomes. The language in
the priority does not specify the type of
practices to be investigated. Therefore,
the priority does not preclude an
applicant from investigating the effects
of recreational and competitive sports
programs on employment outcomes for
transition-age youth at risk for poor
employment outcomes. However,
NIDRR has no basis for requiring all
applicants to conduct research on such
programs. The peer review process will
determine the merits of each
application.
Changes: None.
Final Priority:
The Assistant Secretary for Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services
announces a priority for a Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP)
on Transition to Employment. The
purpose of this priority is to identify
and evaluate promising practices that
will facilitate job entry and career
development for transition-age youth
with disabilities who are at risk for poor
employment outcomes.
A number of factors can affect
employment outcomes for this
population, including demographic
characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, age),
disability characteristics (e.g., disability
type) and disadvantaged background
(e.g., poverty, foster care, involvement
in the juvenile justice system). The
DRRP must build upon the current
research literature and ongoing
implementation and demonstration of
promising practices in the field of
transition to employment.
Under this priority, the DRRP must be
designed to contribute to the following
outcomes:
(a) New knowledge of promising
employment-focused transition
practices for transition-age youth with
disabilities who are at risk for poor
employment outcomes. The DRRP must
contribute to this outcome by
conducting research to identify such
practices. These practices may include,
but are not limited to: work experience
during the secondary school years;
involvement of employers in the design
and implementation of the transition
program; supported employment; and
increased coordination among schools,
State vocational rehabilitation (VR)
programs, or other programs serving
transition-age youth with disabilities.
(b) New knowledge regarding the
effectiveness of employment-focused
transition practices for transition-age
youth with disabilities at risk for poor
employment outcomes. The DRRP must
contribute to this outcome by
implementing and evaluating at least
one promising practice for a particular
E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
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wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with NOTICES_PART 1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 83 / Friday, April 30, 2010 / Notices
at-risk group of transition-age youth
with disabilities. In evaluating the
promising practice or practices, the
DRRP must use scientifically based
research, as defined in section 9101(37)
of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965, as amended (20
U.S.C. 7801(37)). Applicants must
identify the specific at-risk group or
groups of transition-age youth with
disabilities they propose to study,
provide evidence that the selected
population or populations are, in fact, at
risk for poor employment outcomes, and
explain how the proposed practices are
expected to address the needs of the
population or populations.
(c) Enhancement of the knowledge
base of policy makers, State VR
personnel, and personnel of other
programs serving transition-age youth
with disabilities. The DRRP must
contribute to this outcome by
conducting targeted dissemination of
results from research conducted under
paragraphs (a) and (b).
• In addition, through coordination
with the NIDRR Project Officer, the
DRRP must contribute to this outcome
by:
(1) Collaborating with relevant
technical assistance grantees from the
Rehabilitation Services Administration,
such as the Technical Assistance and
Continuing Education (TACE) Centers;
and
(2) Collaborating with relevant
technical assistance grantees from the
Office of Special Education Programs,
such as the National Secondary
Transition Technical Assistance Center.
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
(34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting
an application that meets the priority
over an application of comparable merit
that does not meet the priority (34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
Invitational priority: Under an
invitational priority, we are particularly
interested in applications that meet the
priority. However, we do not give an
application that meets the priority a
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13:41 Apr 29, 2010
Jkt 220001
preference over other applications (34
CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
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 Order 12866: This notice
has been reviewed in accordance with
Executive Order 12866. Under the terms
of the order, we have assessed the
potential costs and benefits of this
regulatory action.
The potential costs associated with
this final regulatory action are those
resulting from statutory requirements
and those we have determined as
necessary for administering this
program effectively and efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and
benefits—both quantitative and
qualitative—of this final regulatory
action, we have determined that the
benefits of the final priority justify the
costs.
Discussion of costs and benefits:
The benefits of the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and
Centers Programs have been well
established over the years in that similar
projects have been completed
successfully. This final priority will
generate new knowledge about
transition to employment for youth with
disabilities, through research,
development, dissemination, utilization,
or technical assistance projects.
Another benefit of this final priority is
that the establishment of a new DRRP
will improve the lives of individuals
with disabilities. The new DRRP will
generate, disseminate, and promote the
use of new information about transition
to employment for youth with
disabilities. This information will
improve the options for youth with
disabilities as they transition into
adulthood and employment activities.
Accessible Format: Individuals with
disabilities can obtain this document in
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
print, audiotape, or computer diskette)
by contacting the Grants and Contracts
Services Team, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC
20202–2550. Telephone: (202) 245–
7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS,
toll-free, at 1–800–877–8339.
Electronic Access to This Document:
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) on the Internet at the
following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/
fedregister. To use PDF you must have
Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
available free at this site.
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22769
Note: The official version of this document
is the document published in the Federal
Register. Free Internet access to the official
edition of the Federal Register and the Code
of Federal Regulations is available on GPO
Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/
index.html.
Dated: April 27, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010–10183 Filed 4–29–10; 8:45 am]
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E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
30APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 83 (Friday, April 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22767-22769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10183]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers
Program--Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP)--Transition
to Employment
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133A-1.
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces a priority for the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by
NIDRR. Specifically, this notice announces a priority for a DRRP on
Transition to Employment. The Assistant Secretary may use this priority
for a competition in fiscal year (FY) 2010 and later years. We take
this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We
intend this priority to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes
for individuals with disabilities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority is effective June 1, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5133, Potomac Center Plaza
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7532 or by e-
mail: marlene.spencer@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of final priority is in concert
with NIDRR's Final Long-Range Plan for FY 2005-2009 (Plan). The Plan,
which was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2006 (71 FR
8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: (1) Improve
the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2)
foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique
needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) determine best
strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify
mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate
findings.
Purpose of Program:
The purpose of the DRRP program is to improve the effectiveness of
services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,
by developing methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that
advance a wide range of independent living and employment outcomes for
individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most
severe disabilities. DRRPs carry out one or more of the following types
of activities, as specified and defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through
350.19: Research, training, demonstration, development, dissemination,
utilization, and technical assistance. An applicant for assistance
under this program must demonstrate in its application how it will
address, in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with
disabilities from minority backgrounds (34 CFR 350.40(a)). The
approaches an applicant may take to meet this requirement are found in
34 CFR 350.40(b). In addition, NIDRR intends to require all DRRP
applicants to meet the requirements of the General Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Requirements priority that it
published in a notice of final priorities in the Federal Register on
April 28, 2006 (71 FR 25472).
Additional information on the DRRP program can be found at: https://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#DRRP.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
We published a notice of proposed priority (NPP) for NIDRR's
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program in
the Federal Register on December 29, 2009 (74 FR 68808). The NPP
included a background statement that described our rationale for the
priority proposed in that notice.
There is one significant difference between the NPP and this notice
of final priority (NFP) as discussed in the following section.
Public Comment:
In response to our invitation in the NPP, five parties submitted
comments on the proposed priority. An analysis of the comments and of
any changes in the priority since publication of the NPP follows.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes or
suggested changes the law does not authorize us to make under the
applicable statutory authority. In addition, we do not address general
comments that raised concerns not directly related to the proposed
priority.
Analysis of Comments and Changes:
Comment: One commenter suggested that the priority address the
effect of State budget crises on transition programs.
Discussion: Although the priority does not explicitly include a
requirement for research on State finances, nothing in the priority
precludes an applicant from proposing to examine the effect of this
factor on transition programs and employment outcomes for youth with
disabilities. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants
to focus on State finances. The peer review process will determine the
merits of each proposal.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked how NIDRR envisions the relationship
between this priority and other NIDRR-funded projects that address
specific populations of youth with disabilities, and whether the
priority requests a focus on different subpopulations or is inclusive
of all youth with disabilities.
Discussion: This priority focuses specifically on transition to
employment, rather than on other aspects of transition, such as self-
determination or community participation. Accordingly, the target
population for this priority is transition-age youth with disabilities
who are at risk for poor employment outcomes, rather than all youth
with disabilities. We note that under paragraph (b) of the priority,
applicants must identify the specific at-risk group or groups of
transition-age youth with disabilities
[[Page 22768]]
they propose to study, provide evidence that the selected population or
populations are, in fact, at risk for poor employment outcomes, and
explain how the proposed practices are expected to address the needs of
the population or populations.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked NIDRR to elaborate on the definition
of disability for purposes of this priority (e.g., whether the priority
should focus on individuals with disabilities who have received
services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
individuals who are considered to have a disability under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, or individuals with disabilities who are
eligible for the vocational rehabilitation program).
Discussion: The Rehabilitation Act (Section 7(20)(B)) defines
``individual with a disability,'' with respect to this program, as any
person who ``(i) has a physical or mental impairment which
substantially limits one or more of such person's major life
activities; (ii) has a record of such an impairment; or (iii) is
regarded as having such an impairment.'' Within the broad constraints
of this definition, applicants have the flexibility to specify their
target population for the purposes of their proposed projects.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter questioned the relationship between the
research activities to be conducted under paragraph (a) and the
research activities to be conducted under paragraph (b) of the
priority. The commenter asked whether proposals should determine the
promising practice(s) to be studied under paragraph (b) before all of
the research conducted under paragraph (a) has been completed.
Discussion: Paragraph (a) of the priority requires the applicant to
conduct research to identify promising employment-focused practices for
transition-age youth with disabilities. Paragraph (b) requires the
applicant to conduct research to determine the effectiveness of
promising transition practices, using at least one of the promising
practices identified in paragraph (a). NIDRR acknowledges the
difficulty involved in planning to meet the requirements in paragraph
(b) before the research activities proposed for paragraph (a) are
completed, and therefore will change paragraph (b) to make clear that
it is not necessary for an applicant to fully delineate the range of
promising practices under paragraph (a) before planning the research
under paragraph (b).
Changes: NIDRR has revised the priority to remove the reference to
paragraph (a) in paragraph (b) of the priority to clarify that the
promising practices evaluated under paragraph (b) are not wholly
dependent on the results of research conducted by the applicant under
paragraph (a).
Comment: One commenter asked how NIDRR defines employment outcomes
for the target population. Another commenter asked whether the research
projects funded under this priority should demonstrate effects on
direct employment outcomes or on outcomes related to the employability
of the target population.
Discussion: There is a wide variety of valid definitions and
measures of employment outcomes, many of which would be precluded if
NIDRR specified those measures and outcomes in the priority. Therefore,
NIDRR is not providing a definition of employment outcome nor is it
specifying the types of employment outcomes an applicant should use.
Instead, NIDRR encourages applicants to use definitions and outcome
measures that are appropriate to the research projects being proposed.
The peer review process will determine the merits of each application.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the priority focus on
effective practices and interventions for individuals who are deaf-
blind.
Discussion: Paragraph (b) of the priority requires applicants to
identify the specific at-risk group or groups of transition-age youth
with disabilities they propose to study, provide evidence that the
selected population or populations are, in fact, at risk for poor
employment outcomes, and explain how the proposed practices are
expected to address the needs of the population or populations.
Provided an applicant meets these requirements, it is not limited in
the characteristics of the subpopulations it may identify and therefore
could choose to include youth who are deaf-blind in its proposed
project.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter encouraged NIDRR to recognize organized
recreational and competitive sports programs for youth with
disabilities as a promising practice in helping to address poor
employment outcomes among transition-age youth with disabilities.
Discussion: Paragraph (a) of the priority specifies that the
research conducted under this priority should generate new knowledge of
promising transition practices, and paragraph (b) requires research on
the effectiveness of transition practices for a particular
subpopulation of transition-age youth with disabilities who are at risk
for poor employment outcomes. The language in the priority does not
specify the type of practices to be investigated. Therefore, the
priority does not preclude an applicant from investigating the effects
of recreational and competitive sports programs on employment outcomes
for transition-age youth at risk for poor employment outcomes. However,
NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants to conduct research on
such programs. The peer review process will determine the merits of
each application.
Changes: None.
Final Priority:
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services announces a priority for a Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Project (DRRP) on Transition to Employment. The purpose of
this priority is to identify and evaluate promising practices that will
facilitate job entry and career development for transition-age youth
with disabilities who are at risk for poor employment outcomes.
A number of factors can affect employment outcomes for this
population, including demographic characteristics (e.g., race/
ethnicity, age), disability characteristics (e.g., disability type) and
disadvantaged background (e.g., poverty, foster care, involvement in
the juvenile justice system). The DRRP must build upon the current
research literature and ongoing implementation and demonstration of
promising practices in the field of transition to employment.
Under this priority, the DRRP must be designed to contribute to the
following outcomes:
(a) New knowledge of promising employment-focused transition
practices for transition-age youth with disabilities who are at risk
for poor employment outcomes. The DRRP must contribute to this outcome
by conducting research to identify such practices. These practices may
include, but are not limited to: work experience during the secondary
school years; involvement of employers in the design and implementation
of the transition program; supported employment; and increased
coordination among schools, State vocational rehabilitation (VR)
programs, or other programs serving transition-age youth with
disabilities.
(b) New knowledge regarding the effectiveness of employment-focused
transition practices for transition-age youth with disabilities at risk
for poor employment outcomes. The DRRP must contribute to this outcome
by implementing and evaluating at least one promising practice for a
particular
[[Page 22769]]
at-risk group of transition-age youth with disabilities. In evaluating
the promising practice or practices, the DRRP must use scientifically
based research, as defined in section 9101(37) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 7801(37)).
Applicants must identify the specific at-risk group or groups of
transition-age youth with disabilities they propose to study, provide
evidence that the selected population or populations are, in fact, at
risk for poor employment outcomes, and explain how the proposed
practices are expected to address the needs of the population or
populations.
(c) Enhancement of the knowledge base of policy makers, State VR
personnel, and personnel of other programs serving transition-age youth
with disabilities. The DRRP must contribute to this outcome by
conducting targeted dissemination of results from research conducted
under paragraphs (a) and (b).
In addition, through coordination with the NIDRR Project
Officer, the DRRP must contribute to this outcome by:
(1) Collaborating with relevant technical assistance grantees from
the Rehabilitation Services Administration, such as the Technical
Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Centers; and
(2) Collaborating with relevant technical assistance grantees from
the Office of Special Education Programs, such as the National
Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center.
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 (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2)
selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of
comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are
particularly interested in applications that meet the priority.
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
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 Order 12866: This notice has been reviewed in accordance
with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order, we have
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action.
The potential costs associated with this final regulatory action
are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have
determined as necessary for administering this program effectively and
efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative
and qualitative--of this final regulatory action, we have determined
that the benefits of the final priority justify the costs.
Discussion of costs and benefits:
The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
and Centers Programs have been well established over the years in that
similar projects have been completed successfully. This final priority
will generate new knowledge about transition to employment for youth
with disabilities, through research, development, dissemination,
utilization, or technical assistance projects.
Another benefit of this final priority is that the establishment of
a new DRRP will improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The
new DRRP will generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new
information about transition to employment for youth with disabilities.
This information will improve the options for youth with disabilities
as they transition into adulthood and employment activities.
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts
Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363.
If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll-free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Electronic Access to This Document: 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) on the
Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
this site.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/.
Dated: April 27, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-10183 Filed 4-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P