Applications for New Awards; Braille Training Program, 18398-18403 [2024-05290]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18398-18403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05290]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Braille Training Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the Braille 
Training program, Assistance Listing Number 84.235E. This notice 
relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 
1894-0006.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: March 13, 2024.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 13, 2024.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: No later than March 18, 2024, the 
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will 
post a PowerPoint Presentation specifically about the Braille Training 
program at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info. In addition to posting the 
PowerPoint, OSERS will conduct a pre-application meeting specific to 
this competition via conference call to respond to questions. 
Information about the pre-application meeting will be available at 
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info prior to the date of the call. OSERS 
invites you to send questions to [email protected] in advance of the pre-
application conference call. A summary of questions and responses will 
be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info within six business 
days after the pre-application conference call.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 11, 2024.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa DeVaughn, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 4A110, Washington, DC 20202-
5076. Telephone: (202) 987-0144. Email: [email protected].

[[Page 18399]]

    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and 
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Braille Training program offers financial 
assistance to projects that will (1) provide training in the use of 
braille for personnel providing vocational rehabilitation (VR) services 
or educational services to youth and adults who are blind; (2) develop 
braille training materials; (3) develop methods used to teach braille; 
and (4) develop activities used to promote the knowledge and use of 
braille and nonvisual access technology for youth and adults who are 
blind.
    Background: The Braille Training program partners with States and 
public nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of 
higher education, to provide information, material, equipment, and 
training in braille instruction. The support provided by the program 
will increase the knowledge and skills of personnel providing VR 
services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind.
    The Department's invitational priorities align with the Secretary's 
Supplemental Priorities published in the Federal Register on December 
10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) to encourage applicants to promote educational 
equity and adequacy in resources and opportunities for underserved 
students, increase the proportion of well-prepared, diverse, and 
effective educators serving students, with a focus on underserved 
students, and to encourage applicants to incorporate innovative 
technology into the project design and delivery of services.
    Priorities: This notice includes one absolute priority and three 
invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), the 
absolute priority is from section 303(d) of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 773(d)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2024 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    The priority is:

Braille Training Program

    Under this priority, we provide grants for the establishment or 
continuation of projects that provide--
    (1) Development of braille training materials;
    (2) In-service or pre-service training in the use of braille, the 
importance of braille literacy, and methods of teaching braille to 
youth and adults who are blind; and
    (3) Activities to promote knowledge and use of braille and 
nonvisual access technology for blind youth and adults through a 
program of training, demonstration, and evaluation conducted with 
leadership of experienced blind individuals, including the use of 
comprehensive, state-of-the-art technology.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2024 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets one or more of 
these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over 
other applications.
    These priorities are:

Invitational Priority 1

    Projects designed to promote educational equity and adequacy in 
resources for underserved students and adults who are blind, especially 
those located in rural areas, in one of more of the following 
educational settings: (1) Early learning programs, (2) Elementary 
school, (3) Middle school, (4) High school, (5) Career and technical 
education programs, (6) Out-of-school-time settings, (7) Alternative 
schools and programs, (8) Juvenile justice-system or correctional 
facilities, and (9) Adult learning. Projects will expand access to 
high-quality braille training, including in school-based and community-
based settings, by providing braille instruction in the areas of 
literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), 
including mathematical and scientific notations, and by removing 
barriers through implementation of programs that are inclusive with 
regard to race, ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status.

Invitational Priority 2

    Projects designed to increase the number and proportion of 
experienced and effective braille educators and instructors from 
traditionally underrepresented backgrounds or the communities they 
serve, including rural areas, to ensure that underserved students and 
adults, including those in rural areas, have educators from those 
backgrounds and communities, and are not taught at disproportionately 
higher rates by out-of-field and novice teachers compared to their 
peers. Projects will also identify and disseminate pedagogical 
practices in braille training that are inclusive with regard to race, 
ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status so that braille 
educators and instructors are better prepared to create inclusive, 
supportive, equitable, unbiased, and identity-safe learning 
environments for underserved students and adults who are blind.

Invitational Priority 3

    Projects that design and deliver instruction to individuals who are 
blind that effectively integrate innovative technology and provide 
opportunities for individuals who are blind to apply braille technology 
in authentic and real-world settings, such as project-based, work-
based, or other relevant experiential learning opportunities that will 
allow individuals with disabilities who are blind to think critically, 
solve complex problems, communicate and collaborate with others, and 
support their educational and career goals.
    Under this invitational priority, innovative technology that could 
be integrated into the project design includes, but is not limited to: 
(1) Braille translation, such as software that converts text from 
digital formats (i.e., websites, e-books) into braille; (2) Braille 
displays, such as converting digital text into braille characters; (3) 
Voice assistants that can provide audio feedback to braille users, 
helping them navigate and interact with digital interfaces more 
efficiently; (4) Language driven translation tools that can be adapted 
to translate content from one language to another and provide the 
output in braille, making it easier for braille users to access 
information in multiple languages; (5) Braille notation to assist in 
creating braille notation in STEM and art, making these fields more 
accessible to braille users; (6) Descriptive media to explain visual 
information needed to understand content; (7) Technology that generates 
braille controlled (i.e., limited use of certain syllable types, such 
as phonemes, and braille contractions) specific passages and stories 
for individuals who are blind based on their abilities and skill sets; 
and (8) Other relevant innovative technology to promote knowledge and 
use of braille and nonvisual access technology for individuals who are 
blind. The use of any technology in this list is not required, and the 
use of any example does not provide an applicant any advantage in this 
competition. The list is included to assist the applicant in 
understanding the invitational priority.

[[Page 18400]]

Definitions

    For purposes of the invitational priorities, the following 
definitions apply:
    Children or students with disabilities means children with 
disabilities as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1401(3)) and 34 CFR 300.8, 
or students with disabilities, as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973 (29 U.S.C. 705(37)).
    Educator means an individual who is an early learning educator, 
teacher, principal, or other school leader, specialized instructional 
support personnel (e.g., school psychologist, counselor, school social 
worker, early intervention service personnel), paraprofessional, or 
faculty.
    English learner means an individual who is an English learner as 
defined in section 8101(20) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965, as amended, or an individual who is an English language 
learner as defined in section 203(7) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act.
    Underserved student means a student (which may include children in 
early learning environments, students in K-12 programs, students in 
postsecondary education or career and technical education, and adult 
learners, as appropriate) in one or more of the following subgroups:
    (a) A student who is living in poverty or is served by schools with 
high concentrations of students living in poverty.
    (b) A student of color.
    (c) A student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian 
Tribe.
    (d) An English learner.
    (e) A child or student with a disability.
    (f) A disconnected youth.
    (g) A technologically unconnected youth.
    (h) A migrant student.
    (i) A student experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
    (j) A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or 
intersex (LGBTQI+) student.
    (k) A student who is in foster care.
    (l) A student without documentation of immigration status.
    (m) A pregnant, parenting, or caregiving student.
    (n) A student impacted by the justice system, including a formerly 
incarcerated student.
    (o) A student who is the first in their family to attend 
postsecondary education.
    (p) A student enrolling in or seeking to enroll in postsecondary 
education for the first time at the age of 20 or older.
    (q) A student who is working full-time while enrolled in 
postsecondary education.
    (r) A student who is enrolled in or is seeking to enroll in 
postsecondary education who is eligible for a Pell Grant.
    (s) An adult student in need of improving their basic skills or an 
adult student with limited English proficiency.
    (t) A student performing significantly below grade level.
    (u) A military- or veteran-connected student.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 773(d).
    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal 
civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Estimated Available Funds: $342,000.
    The Administration has requested $7.3 million for the Training and 
Demonstration Programs for FY 2024, of which we intend to use $342,000 
for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on 
final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to 
allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress 
appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: Year 1: $115,000; Years 2-5: 
$230,000.
    Maximum Award: Year 1: We will not make an award exceeding $115,000 
for the first budget period of 12 months; Years 2-5: We will not make 
an award exceeding $230,000 for each budget period of 12 months.
    Note: Applicants must describe, in their applications, the amount 
of funding being requested for each 12-month budget period.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 3.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: States and public or nonprofit agencies and 
organizations, including institutions of higher education.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require 
cost sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an 
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding 
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please 
see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under 
this competition may not award subgrants to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(e), a 
grantee may contract for supplies, equipment, and other services in 
accordance with 2 CFR 200.317-200.326, Procurement Standards.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554, which contain requirements and 
information on how to submit an application.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.

[[Page 18401]]

    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, 
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the 
application narrative to no more than 50 pages and (2) use the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the abstract (follow the guidance 
provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the 
table of contents, the resumes, the reference list, the letters of 
support, or the appendices. However, the recommended page limit does 
apply to all of the application narrative, including all text in 
charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots. Applicants are 
expected to make the contents of their application accessible for 
individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible. Tutorials 
and resources for making documents accessible are available for free on 
RSA's National Clearinghouse for Rehabilitation Training Materials at 
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/accessibility-resources.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210, have a maximum score of 100 points, and are as 
follows:
    (a) Need for project. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or 
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project;
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project will prepare 
personnel for fields in which shortages have been demonstrated; and
    (iii) The potential replicability of the proposed project or 
strategies, including, as appropriate, the potential for implementation 
in a variety of settings.
    (b) Quality of the project design. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    (ii) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating 
the proposed project will result in information to guide possible 
replication of project activities or strategies, including information 
about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the 
project;
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance;
    (iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice; and
    (v) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
    (c) Quality of project services. (25 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services;
    (ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services;
    (iii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services; and
    (iv) The extent to which the results of the proposed project are to 
be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the information 
or strategies.
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation. (25 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project;
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
valid and reliable performance data on relevant outcomes (as defined in 
34 CFR 77.1(c));
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well 
implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)) 
about the project's effectiveness;
    (iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible;
    (v) The qualifications, including relevant training, experience, 
and independence, of the evaluator;
    (vi) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies; and
    (vii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.
    (e) Quality of the management plan. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestone for accomplishing 
project tasks;
    (ii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and

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adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project;
    (iii) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and 
continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project; and
    (iv) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 
3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant 
if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
    5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with:
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may approve a data 
collection period for a grant for a period of up to 72 months after the 
end of the project period and provide funding, separate from this 
funding opportunity, for the data collection period for the sole 
purpose of collecting, analyzing, and

[[Page 18403]]

reporting performance measurement data regarding the project.
    5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of Department reporting 
under 34 CFR 75.110, grantees must submit information to allow 
measurement of project outcomes and performance consistent with its 
approved application. For the Braille Training program, a grantee must 
collect and report information on:
    (a) The number of participants who attend the program disaggregated 
by adults and youth.
    (b) The number of participants who successfully complete the 
program disaggregated by adults and youth.
    (c) The number of personnel who attend the program.
    (d) The number of personnel who successfully complete the program.
    (e) The number of trained personnel who subsequently report 
obtaining or advancing in positions where they provide braille 
instruction to blind youth and adults following completion of the 
program.
    Grantees are required to report annually to the Rehabilitation 
Services Administration (RSA) on these data.
    6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, whether 
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance 
targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an 
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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 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.

Glenna Wright-Gallo,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2024-05290 Filed 3-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P