15964 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices 

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)). 

Proposed Selection Criterion 

Background: The Department is 

interested in ensuring that grantees use 

rigorous methods to carry out multi-site 

research conducted under Proposed 

Priority Two. The selection criteria that 

are available for use in DRRP 

competitions (34 CFR 350.53 and 

350.54) are not sufficiently detailed to 

allow evaluation of large-scale multi-site 

collaborative research projects. 

Therefore, we propose an additional 

criterion to address methods for 

carrying out multi-site research 

collaboration and would use this 

selection criterion when evaluating 

applications under the SCIMS MultiSite Collaborative Research Projects 

priority (Proposed Priority Two). This 

proposed criterion will be used to 

evaluate applicants’ capacity to manage 

and carry out a number of complex tasks 

that are involved in the successful 

conduct of multi-site collaborative 

research. 

Proposed Selection Criteria 

In accordance with the provisions of 

34 CFR 350.53 and 350.54 and in 

addition to the selection criteria 

specified in those sections, the Secretary 

proposes to consider the following 

factor in evaluating applications 

submitted under the SCIMS Multi-Site 

Collaborative Research Projects priority: 

The extent to which the applicant 

clearly documents its capacity to carry 

out a multi-site research project, 

including demonstrated administrative 

capabilities, experience with managing 

and following multi-site research 

protocols, and ability to maintain and 

meet standards for quality and 

confidentiality of data gathered from 

multiple sites. 

Final Priorities and Selection Criteria: 

We will announce the final priorities 

and selection criteria in a notice in the 

Federal Register. We will determine the 

final priorities and selection criteria 

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 

selection criteria, subject to meeting 

applicable rulemaking requirements. 

Note: This notice does not solicit 

applications. In any year in which we choose 

to use any of these priorities, 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 

proposed regulatory action. 

The potential costs associated with 

this proposed 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 proposed regulatory 

action, we have determined that the 

benefits of the proposed priorities and 

selection criteria 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. The priorities proposed in 

this notice will generate new knowledge 

through research and development. 

Another benefit of this proposed 

regulatory action is that the 

establishment of new DRRPs will 

improve the lives of individuals with 

disabilities. The new DRRPs will 

generate, disseminate, and promote the 

use of new information that will 

improve the options for individuals 

with disabilities to perform regular 

activities in the community. 

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 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: http://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: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ 

index.html. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

(CFDA) Numbers: 84.133N–1 and 84.133A– 

15. 

Dated: March 17, 2011. 

Alexa Posny, 

Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services. 

[FR Doc. 2011–6711 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

[CFDA: 84.133A–6, 84.133A–7, and 84.133A– 

8] 

Funding Priorities: Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research Projects and 

Centers Program 

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services, Department of 

Education. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed priorities. 

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for 

Special Education and Rehabilitative 

Services proposes three funding 

priorities for the Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research Projects and 

Centers Program administered by the 

National Institute on Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). 

Specifically, this notice proposes a 

priority for the Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA) National 

Network Regional Centers (Proposed 

Priority 1), the ADA National Network 

Knowledge Translation Center 

(Proposed Priority 2), and the ADA 

National Network Research 

Collaborative (Proposed Priority 3). The 

Assistant Secretary may use one or more 

of these priorities for competitions in 

fiscal year (FY) 2011 and later years. We 

take this action to focus attention on 

areas of national need. 

DATES: We must receive your comments 

on or before April 21, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about 

this notice to Lynn Medley, U.S. 

Department of Education, 400 Maryland 

Avenue, SW., Room 5140, Potomac 

Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 

20202–2700. 


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If you prefer to send your comments 

by e-mail, use the following address: 

Lynn.Medley@ed.gov. You must include 

‘‘Proposed Priorities for Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA) National 

Network Regional Centers, Knowledge 

Translation Center, and Collaborative’’ 

in the subject line of your electronic 

message. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Lynn Medley. Telephone: (202) 245– 

7338 or by e-mail: Lynn.Medley@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 proposed priorities is in 

concert with NIDRR’s currently 

approved 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: http://

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 

the 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. 

This notice proposes three priorities 

that NIDRR intends to use for DRRP 

competitions in FY 2011 and possibly 

later years. However, nothing precludes 

NIDRR from publishing additional 

priorities if needed. Furthermore, 

NIDRR is under no obligation to make 

an award for any of these priorities. 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 priorities, we urge you to 

identify clearly the specific priority that 

each comment addresses. 

We invite you to assist us in 

complying with the specific 

requirements of Executive Order 12866 

and its overall requirement of reducing 

regulatory burden that might result from 

these proposed priorities. 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 these proposed priorities 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 selfsufficiency 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). 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

Projects 

The purpose of NIDRR’s Disability 

and Rehabilitation Research Projects 

(DRRPs) are 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 DRRPs can 

be found at: 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. 

Proposed Priorities: 

This notice contains three proposed 

priorities. Background: The Americans 

with Disabilities Act of 1990, as 

amended (ADA), 42 U.S.C. 12101 et 

seq., prohibits discrimination against 

individuals with disabilities in 

employment, public accommodations, 

State and local government activities, 

and telecommunications. 

Since 1991, NIDRR has supported 

grants to 10 regional Disability and 

Business Technical Assistance Centers 

(DBTACs), which provide ADA training, 

technical assistance, and ADA-related 

materials to individuals and entities 

with rights and responsibilities under 

the ADA. 

In years 2006–2010, NIDRR made 

several key changes in the DBTAC 

program. Specifically, NIDRR added a 

research component to the scope of the 

DBTAC program, established a DBTAC 

Coordination, Outreach, and Research 

Center (DBTAC CORC) (See notice of 

final priorities published in the Federal 

Register on June 9, 2006 (71 FR 33562)), 

and expanded DBTAC data collection 

requirements in order to provide more 

thorough and descriptive reports on the 

volume and content of the services that 

the DBTACs provide. 

NIDRR made these changes in order to 

(a) better align the DBTACs with 

NIDRR’s research mission, and 

(b) enable the DBTACs to develop new 

knowledge about the ADA and DBTAC 

activities in order to enhance ongoing 

training, technical assistance, and 

dissemination activities. Over the past 

five years, the DBTACs have published 

numerous journal articles, held a series 

of research conferences, and conducted 

other knowledge translation activities to 

share the new knowledge about the 

ADA gained from their research. 

Examples of key research topics include 

access to postsecondary education 

among students with disabilities, access 

to healthcare services among people 

with disabilities, and reasonable 

accommodations in the workplace. 


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NIDRR intends to continue these 

research and data collection activities in 

the coming grant cycle by funding the 

ADA National Network Regional 

Centers, the ADA National Network 

Knowledge Translation Center, and the 

ADA National Network Research 

Collaborative. 

In addition to these NIDRR-initiated 

changes, there have also been key 

changes in legislation and regulations 

since the last competition for the 

DBTAC program. For example, in 2008, 

the ADA Amendments Act (Pub. L. 110– 

325) was signed into law. The ADA 

Amendments Act clarifies and expands 

the definition of disability through 

several new provisions. These include a 

provision that affirms that mitigating 

measures (e.g., medication, assistive 

technology, accommodations) have no 

bearing in determining whether an 

individual meets the definition of 

having a disability and another 

provision that clarifies the extent to 

which the ADA covers individuals with 

disabilities that are episodic or in 

remission. In 2010, the U.S. Department 

of Justice published new regulations 

implementing titles II and III of the ADA 

(28 CFR part 35 and 28 CFR part 36). In 

2011, the U.S. Equal Employment 

Opportunity Commission plans to 

publish new regulations implementing 

title I of the ADA (29 CFR part 1630). 

In addition, a number of ADA 

compliance issues have gained more 

attention in recent years, including 

access to information technologies 

(National Council on Disability, 2006) 

and to emergency management services 

(National Council on Disability, 2009, 

U.S. Department of Education, 2008, 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 

2005). These legislative and regulatory 

changes and emerging issues highlight a 

continuing need for NIDRR to support 

activities to raise awareness of, and 

promote compliance with, the ADA. To 

address this need, NIDRR proposes 

three priorities under which it would 

fund an ADA National Network that 

would replace the DBTAC program. 

Under Proposed Priority 1, we would 

establish 10 ADA National Network 

Regional Centers (ADA Regional 

Centers) that would constitute the core 

of the ADA National Network. These 

ADA Regional Centers would provide 

comprehensive training and technical 

assistance and would disseminate 

materials to individuals and entities 

with rights and responsibilities under 

the ADA. 

Under Proposed Priority 2, we would 

fund the ADA National Network 

Knowledge Translation Center (ADA KT 

Center). The ADA KT Center would 

maintain the ADA National Network 

Web site; review and synthesize the 

existing ADA research literature; 

maintain a detailed database describing 

the training, technical assistance, and 

dissemination activities provided by the 

ADA National Network; and promote 

the use of ADA research to implement 

the ADA more effectively. This ADA KT 

Center would also provide logistical and 

financial support for annual meetings of 

the Project Directors of the 10 ADA 

Regional Centers and for a conference 

on ADA-related research. 

Under Proposed Priority 3, we would 

fund two collaborative research grants 

that contribute to ADA knowledge of 

national significance. This priority 

would allow the ADA Regional Centers 

to conduct collaborative research using 

the regional network structure as a 

foundation for multi-site research to 

inform ADA implementation and to 

improve the performance of the ADA 

National Network. 

References: 

National Council on Disability. (2009, 

August 12). Effective emergency 

management: Making improvements for 

communities and people with 

disabilities. Retrieved December 7, 2010, 

from http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/

publications/2009/pdf/

NCD_EmergencyManagement.pdf. 

National Council on Disability. (2006, 

December 26). Over the horizon: 

Potential impact of emerging trends in 

information and communication 

technology on disability policy and 

practice. Retrieved December 7, 2010, 

from http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/

publications/2006/pdf/emerging_

trends.pdf. 

U.S. Department of Education. (2008, 

April). Emergency management 

research and people with disabilities: A 

research guide. Retrieved December 7, 

2010, from http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/ 

research/pubs/index.

html#emergencyguide. 

U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. (2005, July 21). Individuals 

with disabilities in emergency 

preparedness. Retrieved December 7, 

2010, from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/ 

assets/crcl-icc-report-july05.pdf. 

Proposed Priority 1—Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network 

Regional Centers. 

The Assistant Secretary for Special 

Education and Rehabilitative Services 

proposes a priority for the funding of 10 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

Projects (DRRPs) to serve as the ADA 

National Network Regional Centers 

(formerly known as Disability Business 

Technical Assistance Centers 

(DBTACs)), one within each of the 10 

U.S. Department of Education regions 

that cover all of the United States. 

Together, the 10 ADA National Network 

Regional Centers (ADA Regional 

Centers), along with the ADA National 

Network Knowledge Translation Center 

(ADA KT Center, funded under a 

separate priority) and the ADA Research 

Collaboratives (funded under a separate 

priority) will comprise the ADA 

National Network. Each ADA Regional 

Center must be designed to contribute to 

the following outcomes: 

(a) Improved understanding by ADA 

stakeholders of their rights and 

responsibilities under the ADA. Each 

ADA Regional Center must contribute to 

this outcome by implementing a 

sustained program of training, technical 

assistance, and information 

dissemination (collectively, ADA 

Network Services), aimed at ADA 

stakeholders, including local, regional, 

and national groups representing such 

stakeholders. NIDRR anticipates that 

ADA stakeholders will need information 

on both longstanding ADA requirements 

as well as recent legislative and 

regulatory changes affecting those 

requirements, such as the ADA 

Amendments Act, the revised title II 

and III regulations (28 CFR parts 35 and 

36, respectively), the anticipated 

revisions to the title I regulations (29 

CFR part 1630), and information on 

issues associated with ADA compliance 

in emerging areas such as access to 

information technologies and 

emergency management services. For 

purposes of this priority, the term ‘‘ADA 

stakeholders’’ refers to individuals and 

entities with rights and responsibilities 

under the ADA. 

(b) Improved understanding of ADA 

stakeholders’ need for and receipt of 

ADA Network Services over time, 

including services to address emerging 

issues related to compliance with ADA 

requirements. Each of the 10 ADA 

Regional Centers must contribute to this 

outcome by— 

(1) Entering, directly into the database 

maintained by the ADA National 

Network Knowledge Translation Center 

(‘‘ADA KT Center’’, funded under a 

separate priority), the required data 

about each of the ADA Network 

Services that it provides. These data 

must include, but are not limited to, (1) 

the ADA title or titles, regulations, and 

specific topics that are addressed by the 

ADA Network Services provided, (2) the 

modality of service provision (e.g., inperson presentation, webinar), and (3) 

non-identifying information about the 

recipient or recipients of the ADA 

Network Services; 

(2) Collaborating with the ADA KT 

Center to analyze data about ADA 

stakeholder requests for information and 

the services that the ADA Regional 


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Center provides, and applying new 

knowledge from those analyses to 

further tailor and improve the provision 

of ADA Network Services; and 

(3) Identifying and implementing 

other appropriate methods for assessing 

the needs of ADA stakeholders. 

(c) Enhanced efficiency and 

effectiveness of ADA Network Services. 

Each of the ten ADA Regional Centers 

must contribute to this outcome by— 

(1) Partnering with the ADA KT 

Center and other ADA Regional Centers 

to develop, provide, and distribute ADA 

training and technical assistance 

materials, and other informational 

products and services. These materials, 

products, and services include, but are 

not limited to, the ADA National 

Network Web site, as well as materials, 

products, and services that are relevant 

to ADA stakeholders in multiple 

regions. 

(2) Attending and participating in the 

annual meetings of the ADA Regional 

Centers’ Project Directors, to be held in 

Washington, DC. 

Proposed Priority 2—Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network 

Knowledge Translation Center (ADA KT 

Center). 

The Assistant Secretary for Special 

Education and Rehabilitative Services 

proposes a priority for the funding of a 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

Project (DRRP) to serve as an Americans 

with Disabilities Act (ADA) National 

Network Knowledge Translation Center 

(ADA KT Center). For purposes of this 

priority, the term ‘‘ADA stakeholders’’ 

refers to individuals and entities with 

rights and responsibilities under the 

ADA. Under this priority, the ADA KT 

Center must be designed to contribute to 

the following outcomes: 

(a) Optimal efficiency and impact of 

the ADA National Network’s training, 

technical assistance, and information 

dissemination activities (ADA Network 

Services). The ADA KT Center must 

contribute to this outcome by— 

(1) Establishing and implementing an 

online system to enable the 10 ADA 

Regional Centers to share training and 

technical assistance documents and 

other materials; 

(2) Facilitating the joint development 

of ADA products and materials by the 

10 ADA Regional Centers in content 

areas in which it is possible to 

maximize resources and avoid 

duplication of efforts; 

(3) Serving as the central repository 

for ADA National Network information 

and products, and maintaining ADA 

Network document portals and Web 

sites currently funded by NIDRR; and 

(4) Organizing and providing 

logistical and financial support for 

annual meetings of the ADA Regional 

Centers’ Project Directors in 

Washington, DC. These meetings will 

facilitate collaboration between the 10 

ADA Regional Centers, and will allow 

the Project Directors of the ADA 

Regional Centers to meet and share 

information directly with their Federal 

partners in the U.S. Department of 

Justice, Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission, and other relevant 

agencies. 

(b) Increased use of available ADArelated research findings to inform 

behavior, practices, or policies that 

improve equal access in society for 

individuals with disabilities. The ADA 

KT Center must contribute to this 

outcome by— 

(1) Systematically reviewing existing 

ADA-related research. The ADA KT 

Center must identify and conduct 

systematic reviews of individual ADA 

research studies to assess the quality of 

those studies and to synthesize the 

findings from those studies. In so doing, 

the ADA KT Center must select 

appropriate review methods, taking into 

account the type of research and stage 

of knowledge development in each area 

of ADA research. These areas may 

include, but are not limited to research 

on specific titles of the ADA, research 

on ADA issues in specific industries, 

and research on ADA issues that are 

relevant to individuals with specific 

types of disabilities; and 

(2) Identifying, for future research, 

topics that would provide new 

knowledge or tools to help individuals 

with rights and responsibilities under 

the ADA (ADA stakeholders) implement 

and comply with the ADA. The ADA KT 

Center must identify future research 

topics based on the information 

gathered through the systematic reviews 

conducted under paragraph (b)(1) of this 

priority, in combination with 

information about gaps in ADA 

stakeholder knowledge related to ADA 

implementation. The ADA KT Center 

must collaborate with ADA stakeholders 

to determine these knowledge gaps. 

(c) Increased awareness and 

utilization of ADA-related research 

findings by appropriate ADA 

stakeholder groups. The ADA KT Center 

must contribute to this outcome by— 

(1) Combining or adapting knowledge 

translation approaches from the existing 

literature to disseminate and promote 

the use of ADA-related research 

generated by the ADA National Network 

Research Collaborative (funded under a 

separate priority) and other NIDRR 

grantees as appropriate; and 

(2) Organizing and providing 

logistical and financial support for a 

conference on ADA-related research. 

This conference must highlight research 

findings produced by the ADA National 

Network Research Collaborative and 

other ADA researchers. This conference 

must take place in year five of the ADA 

National Network grant cycle. 

(d) Improved understanding of ADA 

stakeholders’ need for and receipt of 

ADA Network Services over time, 

including services to address emerging 

issues related to compliance with ADA 

requirements. The ADA KT Center must 

contribute to this outcome by— 

(1) Continuing the operation and 

maintenance of the existing database for 

data submitted by each of the ADA 

Regional Centers. This database was 

previously known as the Outcome 

Measurement System, and is presently 

operated by the DBTAC Coordination, 

Outreach, and Research Center (CORC). 

This database was designed to contain 

data on each DBTAC’s core activities, 

including training, technical assistance, 

public awareness events, and 

dissemination of materials. In operating 

and maintaining this database, the ADA 

KT Center must ensure confidentiality 

of personally identifiable information, 

and provide quality control and dataretrieval capabilities, using costeffective technologies and a userfriendly interface; 

(2) Providing training and technical 

assistance to ADA Regional Centers on 

analyzing data and using the database; 

(3) Monitoring the quality of data 

submitted by the ADA Regional Centers; 

and 

(4) Collaborating with NIDRR and the 

ADA Regional Centers to ensure that the 

database is accurate, comprehensive, 

easy to use, and up-to-date. 

Proposed Priority 3—ADA National 

Network Research Collaborative. 

The Assistant Secretary for Special 

Education and Rehabilitative Services 

proposes a priority for the funding of a 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

Project (DRRP) to serve as a National 

ADA Network Research Collaborative 

(Collaborative). The Collaborative must 

be designed to contribute to knowledge 

of national significance related to ADA 

implementation and compliance. To be 

eligible under this priority, an applicant 

must have received a grant under the 

ADA National Network Regional Center 

priority (Priority 1). The Collaborative 

must conduct research using the 

regional structure of the ADA National 

Network as a foundation for multi-site 

research that would inform ADA 

implementation efforts. The 

Collaborative must consist of the 

applicant and an additional three or 

more of the NIDRR-funded ADA 

Regional Centers (for a minimum of four 

ADA Regional Centers). In addition, the 


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Collaborative may include researchers 

who are not a part of the ADA National 

Network. For purposes of this priority, 

the term ‘‘ADA stakeholders’’ refers to 

individuals and entities with rights and 

responsibilities under the ADA. The 

Collaborative must be designed to 

contribute to the following outcomes: 

(a) Improved knowledge related to 

ADA implementation. The Collaborative 

must contribute to this outcome by— 

(1) Conducting research on one or 

more areas in the ADA. These areas may 

include, but are not limited to research 

on specific titles of the ADA, research 

on ADA issues in specific industries, or 

research on ADA issues that are relevant 

to individuals with specific types of 

disabling conditions; 

(2) Addressing research questions or 

hypotheses of national significance that 

are directly relevant to individuals and 

entities with rights and responsibilities 

under the ADA (ADA stakeholders); and 

(3) Using appropriate and clearlyidentified research designs to generate 

reliable and valid findings. 

(b) Improved ADA stakeholder 

awareness and utilization of research 

findings produced by the ADA National 

Network. The Collaborative must 

contribute to this outcome by— 

(1) Preparing research products (e.g., 

articles and presentations) that describe 

the findings of the Collaborative’s 

research. The Collaborative must also 

share these research products and 

research findings with the ADA 

Regional Centers and the ADA KT 

Center, which the Department intends 

to fund under separate priorities, for 

further dissemination to ADA 

stakeholders; and 

(2) Participating in the ADA National 

Network research conference. 

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 Priorities: We will announce the 

final priorities in a notice in the Federal 

Register. We will determine the final 

priorities after considering responses to 

this notice and other information 

available to the Department. This notice 

does not preclude us from proposing 

additional priorities or requirements, 

definitions, or selection criteria, subject 

to meeting applicable rulemaking 

requirements. 

Note: This notice does not solicit 

applications. In any year in which we choose 

to use these priorities, 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 

proposed regulatory action. 

The potential costs associated with 

this proposed 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 proposed regulatory 

action, we have determined that the 

benefits of the proposed priorities 

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. These proposed priorities 

will generate new knowledge through 

research and development. Another 

benefit of these proposed priorities is 

that the establishment of new DRRPs 

will improve the lives of individuals 

with disabilities. The new DRRPs will 

generate, disseminate, and promote the 

use of new information that will 

improve the options for individuals 

with disabilities to perform regular 

activities in the community. 

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 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: http://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: http://

www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

(CFDA) Number: 84.133A–6, 84.133A–7, and 

84.133A–8. 

Dated: March 17, 2011. 

Alexa Posny, 

Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services. 

[FR Doc. 2011–6713 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Notice of Availability of the Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement and 

Public Hearing Notice for the Texas 

Clean Energy Project, near Odessa, 

Ector County, TX 

AGENCY: Department of Energy. 

ACTION: Notice of Availability and 

Public Hearing. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Energy (DOE) announces the availability 

of the Texas Clean Energy Project Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/ 

EIS–0444D) for public review and 

comment, as well as the date, location, 

and time for a public hearing. The draft 

environmental impact statement (EIS) 

analyzes the potential environmental 

impacts associated with the Texas Clean 

Energy Project (TCEP), which would be 

constructed and operated by Summit 

Texas Clean Energy, LLC, an affiliate of 

Summit Power Group, Inc. (Summit). 

Summit’s proposal was selected by DOE 

to receive financial assistance under the 

Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI) 

program. 

DOE prepared this draft EIS in 

accordance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES