Proposed Priority-National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, 14483-14487 [2013-05227]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14483-14487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05227]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Chapter III

[CFDA Number: 84.133B-10.]


Proposed Priority--National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research--Rehabilitation Research and Training Center

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Proposed priority.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority under the Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Center (RRTC) Program administered by the 
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). 
Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for an RRTC on Promoting 
Healthy Aging for Individuals with Long-Term Physical Disabilities. The 
Assistant Secretary may use this priority for competitions in fiscal 
year (FY) 2013 and later years. We take this action to focus research 
attention on an area of national need. We intend the priority to 
contribute to improved health and function outcomes for individuals 
aging with long-term physical disabilities.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about this notice to Marlene Spencer, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5133, 
Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700.

[[Page 14484]]

    If you prefer to send your comments by email, use the following 
address: marlene.spencer@ed.gov. You must include the phrase ``Proposed 
Priority for Promoting Healthy Aging for Individuals with Long-Term 
Physical Disabilities'' in the subject line of your electronic message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer. Telephone: (202) 245-
7532 or by email: marlene.spencer@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed priority is in concert with 
NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (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: 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 methods 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 for integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate 
findings.
    This notice proposes one priority that NIDRR intends to use for one 
or more competitions in FY 2013 and possibly later years. However, 
nothing precludes NIDRR from publishing additional priorities, if 
needed. Furthermore, NIDRR is under no obligation to make an award 
using this priority. The decision to make an award will be based on the 
quality of applications received and available funding.
    Invitation To Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding 
this notice. To ensure that your comments have maximum effect in 
developing the notice of final priority, we urge you to identify 
clearly the specific topic that each comment addresses.
    We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific 
requirements of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and their overall 
requirement of reducing regulatory burden that might result from this 
proposed priority. Please let us know of any further ways we could 
reduce potential costs or increase potential benefits while preserving 
the effective and efficient administration of the program.
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about this proposed priority in room 5133, 550 12th Street 
SW., PCP, Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal 
holidays.
    Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the 
Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate 
accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who 
needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the 
public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an 
appointment for this type of accommodation or auxiliary aid, please 
contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    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 advanced research, training, 
technical assistance, and dissemination activities in general problem 
areas, as specified by NIDRR. These activities are designed to benefit 
rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, and 
the family members or other authorized representatives of individuals 
with disabilities. Additional information on the RRTC program can be 
found at: www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.

    Program Authority:  29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).

    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.

Proposed Priority

    This notice contains one proposed priority.
    RRTC on Promoting Healthy Aging for Individuals with Long-Term 
Physical Disabilities.

Background

    Of the 51.5 million adults with a disability, 41.5 million have 
disabilities in the physical domain (Brault, 2012). These numbers will 
likely grow significantly in the next 25 to 30 years as the baby boom 
generation continues to enter later life, when the risk of disability 
is the highest (IOM, 2007).
    In 2010, 29.5 million Americans aged 21 to 64, or 16.6 percent of 
the working-age population, reported disabilities (Brault, 2012). This 
large working-age group includes people who are aging with life-long 
and early-onset disabilities that were once associated with shortened 
life expectancy (IOM, 2007; Jensen et al., 2011; Kemp & Mosqueda, 
2004). This segment of the disabled population with early-onset, life-
long disabilities is now experiencing the benefits of increased 
longevity as well as premature or atypical aging related to their 
conditions (Groah et al., 2012; IOM, 2007; Jensen et al., 2011; Kemp & 
Mosqueda, 2004).
    Aging with disability is now a common experience of individuals 
with significant physical disabilities (Kemp & Mosqueda, 2004). We 
still lack national statistics on the size of this emerging population 
due to limitations in major national surveys that track disability, 
which do not collect information on age of onset or duration of primary 
disability (IOM, 2007; Washko et al., 2012). However, the most recent 
estimates available indicate that approximately seven to nine percent 
of adults had a disability with onset before age 20, and approximately 
20 to 30 percent experienced the onset of their disability between ages 
20 and 44 (Verbrugge & Yang, 2002).
    Regardless of timing of onset, as individuals with long-term 
disabilities age, many face significant new challenges to their health 
and independence due to the onset of secondary conditions associated 
with changes in the underlying impairment (Groah et al., 2012; IOM, 
2007; Jensen et al., 2011; Kemp & Mosqueda, 2004; Kinny et al., 2004). 
The Institute of Medicine has defined a ``secondary condition'' as 
``any additional physical or mental health condition that occurs as a 
result of having a primary disabling condition,'' including pain, 
fatigue, and muscle weakness (IOM, 2007).
    Working-age individuals living with long-term disabilities may also

[[Page 14485]]

experience atypical or accelerated aging due to earlier onset and 
higher rates of age-related chronic conditions compared to their same-
age non-disabled counterparts (Groah et al., 2012; IOM, 2007; Jensen et 
al., 2011). These chronic health problems may include, for example, 
osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, falls, chronic respiratory conditions, 
diabetes, and heart disease (Freid et al., 2012; Iezzoni, 2010; Jensen 
et al., 2011; Kemp & Mosqueda, 2004; Kinny et al., 2004; Ravesloot et 
al., 2007).
    Addressing the rehabilitation and health care needs of individuals 
aging with disabilities involves challenges for providing and 
coordinating a range of appropriate health care services, financing 
those services, and evaluating their ongoing effectiveness (Iezzoni, 
2010; Washko et al., 2012). Considerable anecdotal evidence and 
numerous small-scale studies indicate that the negative effects of 
secondary conditions can be managed and even prevented through 
rehabilitation and health-promotion activities (Groah et al., 2012; 
Harrison, 2006; Jensen et al., 2011; Ravesloot et al. 2007 & 2005; 
Rimmer et al., 2000). However, there are few evidence-based 
interventions to promote healthy aging of individuals with physical 
disabilities outside of the post-acute setting (Groah et al., 2012; 
Harrison, 2006; Jensen et al., 2011). Only recently has the topic of 
secondary conditions and aging with disability begun to receive 
attention in the public health and gerontology literatures (Groah & 
Kehn, 2010; Iezzoni, 2010; Ravesloot et al., 2007; Washko et al., 
2012).
    The limitations in evidence-based information available to guide 
the treatment, management, and prevention of secondary conditions and 
to promote the overall health of individuals aging with physical 
disability is of particular concern given demographic trends (Harrison, 
2006; Jensen et al., 2011; Ravesloot et al., 2007). For example, of the 
27 objectives identified for improvement in the most recent Healthy 
People 2020 initiative, under the topic area of ``Disability and 
Health'' only four evidence-based community interventions are cited to 
guide implementation of these objectives. None of these objectives 
focus on prevention of secondary conditions or health promotion 
programs for individuals with long-term disabilities (Healthy People 
2020, 2010).
    To respond to the challenges and opportunities at the intersection 
of aging and disability, NIDRR proposes to fund a Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Promoting Healthy Aging for 
Individuals with Long-Term Physical Disabilities. The goal of this 
proposed priority is to advance knowledge and accelerate the 
development, modification, and evaluation of evidence-based 
interventions and strategies that can be applied in clinical and 
community-based settings to promote healthy aging and to reduce 
secondary conditions for individuals with physical disabilities. To 
achieve these goals, NIDRR encourages collaborations among 
rehabilitation and aging researchers and between academic research 
centers and community organizations serving individuals aging with 
disabilities.

References

    Brault, M.W. (2012). Americans with Disabilities: 2010, Current 
Population Reports, P70-131. U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of 
Commerce. Washington, DC. Available from www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/p70-131.pdf. Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Freid, V.M., Bernstein, A.B., & Bush, M.A. (2012). Multiple 
Chronic Conditions among Adults Aged 45 and Over: Trends Over the 
Past 10 Years. NCHS Data Brief, no. 100. Hyattsville, MD: National 
Center for Health Statistics. Available from: www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db100.htm. Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Groah, S.L., Charlifue, S., Tate, D., Jensen, M.P., Molton, 
I.R., Forchheimer, M., Krause, J.S., Lammertse, D.P., & Campbell, M. 
(2012). Spinal Cord Injury and Aging: Challenges and Recommendations 
for Future Research. American Journal of Physical Medicine & 
Rehabilitation, 91(1): 80. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31821f70bc. 
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ajpmr/Abstract/2012/01000/Spinal_Cord_Injury_and_Aging__Challenges_and.10.aspx. 
Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Groah S.L., & Kehn, M.E. (2010). The State of Aging and Public 
Health for People with Spinal Cord Injury: Lost in Transition? 
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 15(3): 10. doi: 
10.1310/sci1503-1. Available from: https://thomasland.metapress.com/content/p6837l6448kp3211/fulltext.pdf. Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Harrison, T. (2006). Health Promotion for Persons with 
Disabilities: What Does the Literature Reveal? Family Community 
Health Supplement, 29(1S): 12S. Available from: 
www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/journalarticle?Article_ID=622107. 
Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Healthy People 2020 (2010). U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 
Available from: www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=9, and www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/ebr.aspx?topicId=9. Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Iezzoni, L.I. (2010). Multiple Chronic Conditions and 
Disabilities: Implications for Health Services Research and Data 
Demands. Health Services Research, 45(5 Pt 2): 1523. doi: 10.1111/
j.1475-6773.2010.01145.x. Epub 2010 Aug 2. Available from: 
www.freepatentsonline.com/article/Health-Services-Research/238476482.html. Accessed December 18, 2012.
    Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2007). The Future of Disability in 
America. Field, M.J., & Jette, A.M., editors. Washington, DC: 
National Academies Press.
    Jensen, M.P., Molton, I.R., Groah, S.L., Campbell, M.L., 
Charlifue, S., Chiodo, A., Forchheimer, M., Krause, J.S., & Tate, D. 
(2011). Secondary Health Conditions in Individuals Aging with SCI: 
Terminology, Concepts, and Analytic Approaches. Spinal Cord, 50(5): 
373-378.
    Kemp, B.J., & Mosqueda, L. (Eds.) (2004). Aging with a 
Disability: What the Clinician Needs to Know. Baltimore, MD: Johns 
Hopkins University Press.
    Kinny, S., Patrick, D.L., & Doyle, D.L. (2004). Prevalence of 
Secondary Conditions among People with Disabilities. American 
Journal of Public Health, 94(3): 443-445.
    Ravesloot, C.H., Seekins, T., Cahill, T., Lindgren, S., Nary, 
D.E., & White, G. (2007). Health Promotion for People with 
Disabilities: Development and Evaluation of the Living Well with a 
Disability Program. Health Education Research 22(4): 522. 
doi:10.1093/her/cyl114.
    Ravesloot, C., Seekins, T., & White, G. (2005). Living Well with 
a Disability Health Promotion Intervention: Improved Health Status 
for Consumers and Lower Costs for Healthcare Policy Makers. 
Rehabilitation Psychology, 50: 239-45.
    Rimmer, J.H., Braunschweig, C., & Silverman, K (2000). Effects 
of a Short-Term Health Promotion Intervention for a Predominantly 
African-American Group of Stroke Survivors. American Journal of 
Preventive Medicine, 18: 332.
    Verbrugge, L.M., & Yang, L.S. (2002). Aging with Disability and 
Disability with Aging. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 12(4): 
253-267.
    Washko, M., Campbell, M.L., & Tilly, J.A. (2012). Accelerating 
the Translation of Research into Practice in Long-Term Services and 
Supports: A Critical Need for Federal Infrastructure at the Nexus of 
Aging and Disability. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(2): 
112-125.

Definitions

    The research that is proposed under this priority must be focused 
on one or more stages of research. If the RRTC is to conduct research 
that can be categorized under more than one research stage, or research 
that progresses from one stage to another, those research stages must 
be clearly specified. For purposes of this priority, the stages of 
research, which we published for comment on January 25, 2013 (78 FR 
5330), are:
    (i) Exploration and Discovery means the stage of research that 
generates hypotheses or theories by conducting new and refined analyses 
of data, producing observational findings, and creating other sources 
of research-based

[[Page 14486]]

information. This research stage may include identifying or describing 
the barriers to and facilitators of improved outcomes of individuals 
with disabilities, as well as identifying or describing existing 
practices, programs, or policies that are associated with important 
aspects of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Results achieved 
under this stage of research may inform the development of 
interventions or lead to evaluations of interventions or policies. The 
results of the exploration and discovery stage of research may also be 
used to inform decisions or priorities.
    (ii) Intervention Development means the stage of research that 
focuses on generating and testing interventions that have the potential 
to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Intervention 
development involves determining the active components of possible 
interventions, developing measures that would be required to illustrate 
outcomes, specifying target populations, conducting field tests, and 
assessing the feasibility of conducting a well-designed intervention 
study. Results from this stage of research may be used to inform the 
design of a study to test the efficacy of an intervention.
    (iii) Intervention Efficacy means the stage of research during 
which a project evaluates and tests whether an intervention is 
feasible, practical, and has the potential to yield positive outcomes 
for individuals with disabilities. Efficacy research may assess the 
strength of the relationships between an intervention and outcomes, and 
may identify factors or individual characteristics that affect the 
relationship between the intervention and outcomes. Efficacy research 
can inform decisions about whether there is sufficient evidence to 
support ``scaling-up'' an intervention to other sites and contexts. 
This stage of research can include assessing the training needed for 
wide-scale implementation of the intervention, and approaches to 
evaluation of the intervention in real world applications.
    (iv) Scale-Up Evaluation means the stage of research during which a 
project analyzes whether an intervention is effective in producing 
improved outcomes for individuals with disabilities when implemented in 
a real-world setting. During this stage of research, a project tests 
the outcomes of an evidence-based intervention in different settings. 
The project examines the challenges to successful replication of the 
intervention, and the circumstances and activities that contribute to 
successful adoption of the intervention in real-world settings. This 
stage of research may also include well-designed studies of an 
intervention that has been widely adopted in practice, but that lacks a 
sufficient evidence-base to demonstrate its effectiveness.
    Proposed Priority:
    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services proposes a priority for an RRTC on Promoting Healthy Aging for 
Individuals with Long-Term Physical Disabilities. The RRTC must 
contribute to the development of new knowledge and accelerate the 
development, modification, and evaluation of evidence-based 
interventions and strategies that can be applied in clinical and 
community-based settings to promote healthy aging, including reducing 
secondary conditions, of individuals with long-term physical 
disabilities.
    To contribute to this outcome the RRTC must--
    (a) Conduct research activities in one or more of the following 
priority areas, focusing on individuals aging with long-term physical 
disabilities as a group or on individuals in specific disability or 
demographic subpopulations of individuals with long-term physical 
disabilities:
    (i) Individual and environmental factors associated with improved 
access to rehabilitation and health care resulting in improved health 
and function outcomes for individuals aging with long-term physical 
disabilities.
    (ii) Interventions that contribute to improved health and function 
outcomes for individuals aging with long-term physical disabilities. 
Interventions include any strategy, practice, program, policy, or tool 
that, when implemented as intended, contributes to improvements in 
outcomes for the specified population.
    (iii) Effects of government practices, policies, and programs on 
health care access and on health and function outcomes for individuals 
aging with long-term physical disabilities.
    (iv) Technology to improve health and function outcomes for 
individuals aging with long-term physical disabilities;
    (b) Focus 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 must be clearly specified. These stages 
and their definitions are provided in the ``Definitions'' section of 
this notice;
    (c) Serve as a national resource center related to health and 
function for individuals aging with long-term physical disabilities, 
their families, and other stakeholders by:
    (i) Providing information and technical assistance to service 
providers, individuals aging with long-term physical disabilities and 
their representatives, and other key stakeholders;
    (ii) Providing training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to rehabilitation providers and other disability 
service providers, to facilitate more effective delivery of services to 
individuals aging with long-term physical disabilities. This training 
may be provided through conferences, workshops, public education 
programs, in-service training programs, and similar activities;
    (iii) Disseminating research-based information and materials 
related to health and function for individuals aging with long-term 
physical disabilities; and
    (d) Involve key stakeholder groups in the activities conducted 
under paragraph (a) in order to maximize the relevance and usability of 
the new knowledge generated by the RRTC.
    Types of Priorities:
    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. The effect of each type of priority follows:
    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (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)).
    Final Priority:
    We will announce the final priority in a notice in the Federal 
Register. We will determine the final priority after considering 
responses to this notice and other information available to the 
Department. This notice does not preclude us from proposing additional 
priorities, requirements, definitions, or

[[Page 14487]]

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 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 proposed 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 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 proposed priority only upon a reasoned 
determination that its benefits would justify its costs. In choosing 
among alternative regulatory approaches, we selected those approaches 
that would maximize net benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, 
the Department believes that this regulatory action is consistent with 
the principles in Executive Order 13563.
    We also have determined that this regulatory action would not 
unduly interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the 
exercise of their governmental functions.
    In accordance with both Executive orders, the Department has 
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 Department's programs and activities.
    The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
and Centers Program have been well established over the years. Projects 
similar to the RRTC 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.
    Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) 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 or TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    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.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: March 1, 2013.
Michael Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-05227 Filed 3-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P