Interagency Committee 

 on Disability Research 

2016 Report to the President and Congress 
This report is presented on behalf of the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR), 

Kristi W. Hill, PhD, ICDR Executive Director (Acting Chair), and the National Institute on 

Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR); Deputy Director (Acting 

Director). It was produced by New Editions Consulting, Inc. under U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL) Contract No. ED-OSE-12-

C-0054. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of 

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No official endorsement by the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services of any product, commodity, service, or enterprise 

mentioned in this publication is intended or should be inferred. 

This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. 

While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: 

Interagency Committee on Disability Research. (2016). The Interagency Committee on Disability 

Research: 2016 Report to the President and Congress. Washington, D.C. 

The report is available on the ICDR’s website at http://www.icdr.acl.gov.
Contents 

Contents .............................................................................................................................................................iii

Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................. v

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 1

Government-wide Strategic Plan Activites .................................................................................................... 5

Background .................................................................................................................................................... 5

Working Groups ............................................................................................................................................ 7

Development of ICDR Priorities ................................................................................................................ 9

Three Stakeholder Webinars ......................................................................................................................10

Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives .........................................................................................................11

Public Comment Period .............................................................................................................................12

Searchable Government-wide Inventory of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation 

Research ........................................................................................................................................................13

Strategic Planning Next Steps ....................................................................................................................13

Highlighted Activities of the ICDR ..............................................................................................................14

Optimizing Productivity .............................................................................................................................14

Four Executive Committee Meetings.......................................................................................................14

Three Medical Rehabilitation Research Webinars ..................................................................................15

Appendix A: Statutory Authorization ...........................................................................................................17

Appendix B: ICDR Membership and Federal Participation .....................................................................22

Federal Government Agencies ..................................................................................................................23

Independent Agencies and Government Corporations ........................................................................26

Nonfederal Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................26

Universities/Colleges .............................................................................................................................26

Other Organizations ...............................................................................................................................28

Appendix C: Working Group ........................................................................................................................32

Problem Statements .........................................................................................................................................32

Assistive Technology and Universal Design Problem Statements .......................................................32

Problem Statement 1: Accessible, Usable and Interoperable Health Information Technology: 

Health, Wellness and Information Access (Potential for Collaboration with Health and 

Disability ICDR Committee) ................................................................................................................32

Problem Statement 2: Building Capacity .............................................................................................32

Problem Statement 3: Economics of Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design ............33

Community Integration and Participation Problem Statements ..........................................................33

Problem Statement 1: Housing - First Ingredient for Community Integration ............................33

Problem Statement 2: Longitudinal Data Collection on Targeted Populations ............................33
Problem Statement 3: Efficacy of Interventions Designed to Improve Community Integration 

and Participation .....................................................................................................................................34

Problem Statement 4: Methods for Scaling Up Community-Level Interventions with 

Demonstrated Efficacy ..........................................................................................................................34

Problem Statement 5: Optimizing Community Integration and Participation Outcomes through 

Managed Care Delivery Systems ...........................................................................................................35

Problem Statement 6: Evaluation of Outcomes Associated with Services Provided by Centers 

for Independent Living ..........................................................................................................................36

Problem Statement 7: Barriers Associated with Consumers’ Receipt of Medicaid Long-Term 

Services and Supports ............................................................................................................................36

Employment and Education Problem Statements .................................................................................37

Problem Statement 1: Transition ..........................................................................................................37

Problem Statement 2: Development of Evidence-based Practices and Scale-Up.........................37

Problem Statement 3: Career Pathways and the Participation of Individuals with Disabilities ..37

Health, Functioning and Wellness Problem Statements .......................................................................37

Problem Statement 1: Preventive Health Services ............................................................................37

Problem Statement 2: Public Health and Surveillance ......................................................................38

Problem Statement 3: Health Disparities and Interventions for Persons with Disabilities .........39

Problem Statement 4: Health Care Access and Quality ....................................................................39

Appendix D: Response to Public Comments ..............................................................................................40

General Comments................................................................................................................................40

Research Topics......................................................................................................................................43

Strategic Goals and Objectives...........................................................................................................44

Point of Contact ...............................................................................................................................................46
Abbreviations

ACL Administration for 

Community Living

AHRQ Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality

AT Assistive technology

CDC Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

CIL Center for Independent 

Living

CMS Centers for Medicare and 

Medicaid Services

DARPA Defense Advanced 

Research Projects Agency

DHS U.S. Department of 

Homeland Security

DoD U.S. Department of Defense 

DOJ U.S. Department of Justice

DOL U.S. Department of Labor

DOT U.S. Department of 

Transportation 

EC Executive Committee

ED U.S. Department of 

Education

EHR Electronic health record

FCC Federal Communications 

Commission

FDA U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration 

FHWA Federal Highway 

Administration

FTA Federal Transit 

Administration

FY Fiscal year

GSA General Services 

Administration

GWI Government-wide

inventory

HHS U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services 

HRSA Health Resources and 

Services Administration

HUD U.S. Department of Housing 

and Urban Development

IAAP International Association of 

Accessibility Professionals 

ICDR Interagency Committee on 

Disability Research 

IT Information technology

JSC Johnson Space Center

LTSS Long-Term Services and 

Supports 

mHealth Mobile Health 

NASA National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration 

NCHS National Center for Health 

Statistics 

NCMRR National Center for Medical 

Rehabilitation Research

NIA National Institute on Aging

NICHD National Institute of Child 

Health and Human 

Development

NIDILRR National Institute on 

Disability, Independent 

Living, and Rehabilitation 

Research 

NIH National Institutes of Health

NINDS National Institute of 

Neurological Disorders and 

Stroke

NIST National Institute of 

Standards and Technology

NSF National Science

Foundation

OCIO Office of Chief Information 

Officer
ODEP Office of Disability 

Employment Policy

ONC Office of the National 

Coordinator for Health 

Information Technology

OSEP Office of Special Education 

Programs

PHR Personal health record

R&D Research and development

RERC Rehabilitation Engineering 

Research Center

RRTC Rehabilitation Research and 

Training Center 

SAMHSA Substance Abuse and 

Mental Health Services 

Administration

SSA Social Security 

Administration

TARDEC U.S. Army Tank Automotive 

Research Development and 

Engineering Center 

VA U.S. Department of 

Veterans Affairs 

VHA Veterans Health 

Administration

W3C World Wide Web 

Consortium

WIOA Workforce Innovation and 

Opportunity Act 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 1 

Introduction 

The Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) is a coordinating group of federal 

department and agency representatives funding disability, independent living, and 

rehabilitation research. Authorized by the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as amended by the 

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA; see Appendix A), the ICDR promotes 

coordination and cooperation among federal departments and agencies conducting disability, 

independent living, and rehabilitation research programs, including programs relating to 

assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design. 

The ICDR charge is to: 

 identify, assess, and seek to coordinate all federal programs, activities, and projects, and 

plans for such programs, activities, and projects with respect to the conduct of research 

(including assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of 

universal design) related to independent living and rehabilitation of individuals with 

disabilities; 

 obtain input from policymakers, representatives from federal agencies, individuals with 

disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers, and 

providers; 

 share information about research being carried out by members of the committee and 

other federal departments and organizations; 

 identify and make efforts to address areas of research that are not being adequately 

addressed; 

 identify and establish clear research priorities; 

 promote interagency collaboration and joint research activities and reduce unnecessary 

duplication of effort; 

 optimize the productivity of ICDR members through resource-sharing and other costsharing activities; and 

 develop a comprehensive government-wide strategic plan for disability, independent 

living, and rehabilitation research. 

The ICDR develops its agenda and establishes goals and objectives through an interagency 

Executive Committee (EC). The EC is comprised of 17 ICDR statutory member agencies, the ICDR 

standing committee co-chairs, and other designated agency representatives. In carrying out its 

duties, the EC: 

 sets the ICDR agenda; 

 works to promote effective interagency coordination, collaboration, and 

communication; 

 provides guidance to the ICDR committees; 

 reviews and approves committee plans; 

 secures the input of other federal agencies and stakeholders; 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 2 

 develops the ICDR strategic plan; and 

 hosts meetings to advance the agenda of federal departments, offices, and partner 

agencies.

ICDR statutory members include: 

 Secretary, Health and Human Services 

 Director, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation 

Research (Designated Chair) 

 Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration 

 Assistant Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 

 Assistant Secretary, Labor for Disability Employment Policy 

 Secretary, Defense 

 Administrator, Administration for Community Living 

 Secretary, Education 

 Secretary, Veterans Affairs 

 Director, National Institutes of Health 

 Director, National Institute of Mental Health 

 Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

 Secretary, Transportation 

 Assistant Secretary, Interior for Indian Affairs 

 Director, Indian Health Service 

 Director, National Science Foundation 

 Administrator, Small Business Administration 

Some federal partners play key leadership roles on the ICDR by serving as co-chairs for standing 

committees, providing co-funding for specific activities, and providing resources to help the 

ICDR achieve its goals. Appendix B contains a complete list of participating federal agencies in 

fiscal year (FY) 2016. 

The ICDR vision is to be widely recognized for facilitating and coordinating federal interagency 

efforts and for promoting collaborative relationships that maximize the best use of federal 

resources for disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research. To meet these goals, 

the ICDR began the strategic planning process by identifying six guiding principles: 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 3 

Figure 1. ICDR Guiding Principles

1. Stay true to the ICDR mission. The committee should identify its unique niche in 

disability and independent living research and ensure that its efforts benefit its many 

stakeholders and partners. Initiatives should focus on the interagency nature of the 

ICDR and complement the work that agencies are already doing. Establishing a 

consistent, trusted brand would help the ICDR achieve its mission. 

2. Clarify roles and expectations. To ensure buy-in and support from each partner agency, 

the ICDR must clearly establish its expectations. As the ICDR pursues its collective work,

it must consider and respect the diversity of agency missions, perspectives, priorities, 

and decisions. Agencies should be accountable for fulfilling their roles. Committee 

members should be clear on what decisions they are empowered to make and share 

that information with fellow members. 

3. Establish collaborative, lasting working relationships. Committee members must trust 

their partners for mutual efforts to be most effective. Commitment to ICDR’s mission is 

critical, and membership can be encouraged and supported by actively soliciting diverse 

perspectives, positions, and opinions. 

4. Prioritize and focus on shared priorities and essential activities. Identifying realistic and 

meaningful activities will help develop common ground among members, capitalize on 

existing capabilities, and leverage resources. This will assist in decision-making about 

what the ICDR can realistically accomplish with the time and resources available. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 4 

5. Ensure communications and activities are transparent. Communication should be open 

and regular among committee members and across agencies. The ICDR’s goals, 

strategies, and activities should be transparent, with agency contributions openly 

recognized. 

6. Document positive impacts. Success will be determined by measuring the positive 

impacts that disability research and collaboration have on the disability community. The 

ICDR should pursue clearly defined goals that are compelling and meaningful to member 

agencies, demonstrate accountability, and share concrete outcomes. 

During FY 2016, the ICDR focused on promoting and optimizing interagency coordination and 

collaboration through its myriad activities and resulting recommendations. In accordance with 

the ICDR authority, after receiving input from key stakeholders, the ICDR seeks to identify, 

assess, and coordinate federal programs, activities, and projects, as well as plans related to 

research concerning the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. Stakeholder input informs 

the ICDR agenda, projects, activities, and plans. 

To ensure adequate attention to the interest of individuals with disabilities, the ICDR partners 

with a variety of agencies. Participants contribute their knowledge and expertise to working 

groups and conference-planning committees; collect data and conduct research; make 

recommendations on research priorities; and disseminate information. These activities 

stimulate thinking about research-based solutions to issues confronting federal agencies. 

This annual report will detail the activities of the ICDR during FY 2016. The ICDR devoted much 

of its efforts in FY 2016 to the continued development of the government-wide strategic plan 

required by WIOA, as well as soliciting key stakeholder feedback on the plan’s overall content, 

goals, and objectives. Efforts to develop the government-wide plan continued to capitalize on 

potential interagency synergies and reflected the priorities of the WIOA-defined stakeholders: 

policymakers, representatives from other federal agencies conducting relevant research, 

individuals with disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers, 

and providers. During FY 2016, the ICDR hosted a number of meetings, webinars, and 

teleconferences related to developing the government-wide strategic plan to promote 

coordination, collaboration, and partnerships. These activities included: 

 Holding three stakeholder webinars; 

 Supporting the working groups; 

 Putting the Government-wide strategic plan out for public comment; and 

 Initiating the development of Searchable Government-wide Inventory of Disability, 

Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. 

In addition to the development of the strategic plan, the ICDR continued its ongoing activities to 

support its overall mission, goals, and objectives. These activties included: 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 5 

 Operational enhancements to improve productivity and efficiency; 

 Four Executive Committee meetings; and 

 Three medical rehabilitation research webinars. 

Government-wide Strategic Plan Activites 

This section describes the strategic planning activities accomplished during FY 2016. It includes 

pertinent background information, working group activities, and stakeholder input. The draft 

government-wide strategic plan was prepared in December 2016 following a public comment 

period. Once agency vetting is complete, the final strategic plan will be available on the ICDR 

website. 

Background

In July 2014, WIOA mandated significant changes when it reauthorized the ICDR. WIOA (Public 

Law 113-128) included a new requirement for the ICDR to develop a comprehensive 

government-wide strategic plan for disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research. 

The ICDR began a systematic strategic planning process in FY 2015 that continued in FY 2016 to 

develop the comprehensive government-wide strategic plan required under WIOA. The EC and 

standing committee co-chairs provided leadership for the effort. Topical working groups 

composed of federal representatives and disability research stakeholders developed and 

proposed research goals and objectives for the ICDR. The ICDR worked to create an inclusive 

process in order to give due consideration to all of the important needs in disability, 

independent living, and rehabilitation research. 

The strategic plan builds upon previous efforts to promote interagency collaboration and 

overall impact by the ICDR. These include: 

 Focused efforts in FY 2013–2014 to increase federal agency awareness of disability and 

rehabilitation research and related activities across the federal government. Partnership 

meetings highlighted the need for the ICDR to facilitate connections and partnerships 

between federal agencies and across the disability and rehabilitation research 

community. 

 Creating a Sustainable Interagency Coordination Network on Disability Research: Report 

of the Expert Panel (http://icdr.acl.gov/resources/reports/creating-sustainableinteragency-coordination-network-disability-research), which includes the findings and 

recommendations of an ICDR expert panel that met in 2013–2014 to identify the state 

of the science related to interagency collaboration and suggest steps toward creating a 

sustainable interagency disability research network.

 Primer on Interagency Research Collaboration 

(http://icdr.acl.gov/resources/reports/primer-interagency-collaboration), which serves 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 6 

as a reference guide that includes an overview of best practices to foster interagency 

collaboration based on an ICDR literature review, documents from other interagency 

research efforts, and the ICDR expert panel report. 

In August 2015, after considering the recommended practices from these reports, the ICDR 

reviewed other federal strategic planning efforts to adopt a process to develop this 

government-wide strategic plan. The plan requires: 

 a description of measurable goals and objectives, existing resources each agency will 

devote to carrying out the plan, timetables for completing the projects outlined in the 

plan, research activity assignments for responsible individuals and agencies to carry out, 

and research priorities and recommendations; 

 a description of how funds from each agency will be combined, as appropriate, for 

projects administered among federal agencies, and how such funds will be 

administered; 

 the development and ongoing maintenance of a searchable government-wide inventory 

of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research for trend and data analysis 

across federal agencies; 

 guiding principles, policies, and procedures, consistent with the best research practices 

available, for conducting and administering disability, independent living, and 

rehabilitation research across federal agencies; and 

 a summary of underemphasized and duplicative areas of research. 

The EC adopted the following vision and defined how the ICDR would know that their strategic 

planning efforts had been successful: 

1. The ICDR will be widely recognized as the lead organization for facilitating and 

coordinating federal interagency efforts on disability and independent living research. 

The EC will promote disability research needed to fill identified gaps and articulate how 

non-disability research can benefit by considering people with disabilities in the general 

population. 

2. Collaborative relationships will form to ensure the best use of federal resources. 

Member agencies will review each other’s portfolios to help avoid unneeded duplication 

and to build upon overlapping priorities in order to move big research ideas into reality. 

New stakeholders will join the effort to engage in collaborative initiatives. 

3. The organizing framework for the ICDR will promote integrated leadership that supports 

shared ownership and continuity of participation. EC activities and products will reflect 

the best ideas of the group. 

4. A clear set of responsibilities, goals, and cross-agency priorities will help focus efforts 

and increase the quality of the EC’s work. Clearly articulated outcomes and deliverables 

will increase the public trust and strengthen member participation. Incorporating a 

broad range of stakeholder input will help ensure that research is relevant to the needs 

of people with disabilities and the organizations that provide services to them. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 7 

5. Clearly articulated initiatives and specific goals will lead to higher visibility for ICDR 

interagency disability and independent living research and will ultimately improve 

outcomes for programs, policies, and people with disabilities. 

The EC and working group co-chairs provided continued leadership for the strategic planning 

effort. Topical working groups composed of federal representatives and stakeholders generated 

ideas for the ICDR to consider for its strategic plan. 

Working Groups

The ICDR scope is broad. It includes all types of research addressing physical and mental 

function, rehabilitative services and technology, social and community integration, and 

independent living, as well as all types of disabilities and chronic conditions. The ICDR formed 

five strategic planning working groups to identify issues for possible inclusion in the strategic 

plan: 

Figure 2. ICDR Working Groups 

 The Assistive Technology and Universal Design (AT/UD) working group scope 

includes research, design, development, policy, systems, and services related to AT; 

as well as accessibility of electronic information and technology, products, and 

environments. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 8 

 The Community Integration and Participation (CIP) working group scope includes 

research, policy, systems, and services related to behavioral, social, and 

environmental factors affecting inclusion in society. 

 The Employment and Education (EE) working group scope includes research, policy, 

systems, and services related to employment and self-sufficiency of people with 

disabilities, and youth transition to employment, postsecondary education, and 

community life. 

 The Health, Functioning, and Wellness (HFW) working group scope includes 

research, clinical services, translational services, policy, systems, and services related 

to medical rehabilitation, prevention, health and wellness care, public health issues, 

and surveillance, among others. This group focused primarily on health and 

wellness. An additional stakeholder input session suggested the addition of 

“functioning” to the title of this working group.

 The Government-wide Inventory (GWI) working group is charged with developing 

the WIOA-mandated GWI of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation 

research. 

The ICDR engaged in a transparent process with broad stakeholder input from the beginning. 

WIOA defines stakeholders as policymakers, representatives from other federal agencies 

conducting relevant research, individuals with disabilities, organizations representing 

individuals with disabilities, researchers, and providers. The co-chairs invited federal and 

nonfederal stakeholders to join the working groups and recruited additional participants 

through outreach to organizations related to disability, rehabilitation, and independent living 

research and other relevant stakeholders. Stakeholder webinars in November 2015 allowed for 

further stakeholder input. 

The ICDR EC, standing committee, and working groups met regularly throughout FY 2016 to 

develop and implement their strategic work plans and discuss current and emerging research 

areas of interest to be considered in the government-wide strategic plan. Topic areas discussed 

in FY 2016 included: 

 Assistive Technology and Universal Design 

o Accessible, Usable, and Interoperable Health Information Technology: Health, 

Wellness, and Information Access (Potential for Collaboration with Health and 

Disability ICDR Committee) 

o Building Capacity 

o Economics of AT and UD 

 Community Integration and Participation 

o Housing-First Ingredient for Community Integration 

o Longitudinal Data Collection on Targeted Populations 

o Methods for Scaling Up Community-Level Interventions with Demonstrated 

Efficacy 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 9 

o Evaluation of Outcomes Associated with Services Provided by Centers for 

Independent Living (CILs) 

o Optimizing CIP Outcomes through Managed Care Services and Barriers 

Associated with Consumers’ Receipt of Medicaid Long-Term Services and 

Supports 

 Employment and Education 

o Transition 

o Development of Evidence-Based Practices and Scale-Up

o Career Pathways and the Participation of Individuals with Disabilities 

 Health and Wellness 

o Health Preventative Services 

o Public Health and Surveillance 

o Health Disparities and Interventions for Persons with Disabilities 

o Health Care Access and Quality 

 Medical Rehabilitation Research 

o Health and Functioning 

o Capacity Building 

o Translational Science 

o Methodological Approaches 

o Collaboration 

o Economics 

o Access to Care/Reimbursement 

Development of ICDR Priorities

Following recommendations received and work completed in FY 2015, the ICDR and its working 

groups continued to focus on actionable, achievable, and strategic efforts and let that guide the 

development of the plan’s goals and objectives. In FY 2015, the groups brainstormed, refined, 

and prioritized ideas. In FY 2016, the groups gathered stakeholder input and selected priorities. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 10

Figure 3. Framework for ICDR Strategic Plan 

Three Stakeholder Webinars

The government-wide strategic plan is the culmination of a yearlong effort to gain consensus on 

guiding principles for success and methodologically produce a document that capitalizes on 

potential interagency synergies and reflects the priorities of the WIOA-defined stakeholders: 

policymakers, representatives from other federal agencies conducting relevant research, 

individuals with disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers, 

and providers. 

During FY 2016, the ICDR hosted three webinars to gather stakeholder input. The purpose of 

the webinars was to provide information to build a comprehensive, government-wide strategic 

plan for disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research and to gather stakeholder 

input on the proposed problem areas that the ICDR may address. 

Participants in the stakeholder webinars reviewed suggested problem statements from each of 

the five working groups. The list of problem statements can be found in Appendix C. After the 

discussion of working group topics, a post-webinar survey was sent out to participants to give 

them an opportunity to provide additional input and identify which of the five overall problem 

statement topics had the most potential for the ICDR to address. All comments pertaining to 

specific problem statements were forwarded to the co-chairs. A total of 23 individuals 

responded to the post-webinar survey (24 percent response rate). 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 11

The information gathered during the stakeholder webinars helped inform the next steps of the 

strategic planning process. Input was used to prioritize and determine the goals and objectives 

of the final plan. 

Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives 

Over the last year, the ICDR has worked to identify the processes and tasks needed to 

operationalize certain parts of the strategic plan. This plan incorporates those recommended 

processes and future actions (including goals and objectives, where possible) to honor both the 

letter and spirit of WIOA. To be successful, the government-wide strategic plan must be an 

iterative document, requiring the ongoing commitment of all federal agencies conducting 

relevant research in the targeted areas. 

To maximize the likelihood of success, the ICDR designed this first government-wide strategic 

plan to focus on a short timeframe—one to three years. The plan highlights both researchrelated and process-related goals and objectives. Working groups forwarded their prioritized 

research-related goals and objectives. The ICDR leadership and EC selected objectives of 

interest to multiple government agencies with short-term opportunities to make significant 

advances. Process-oriented goals are directly tied to WIOA mandates for this plan. 

Working groups, in multiple meetings, extensively discussed and debated research needs and 

priorities. The working group co-chairs conceptualized those needs into problem statements 

and polled stakeholders about their priorities. Working groups also inventoried additional 

research topic areas and questions. These can be found in the supplemental document Working 

Group Research Gaps, Problem Statements, and Final Priorities

(http://icdr.acl.gov/resources/reports/working-group-research-gaps-problem-statements-andfinal-priorities). The EC will continue to revisit the wealth of information gathered through this 

process as key elements of the goals and objectives outlined below are detailed and completed. 

The working groups developed the following draft goals and objectives during FY 2016: 

Goal 1: Improve interagency coordination and collaboration in four thematic research areas—

transition, economics of disability, accessibility, and disparities. 

Objective 1: Identify current and planned agency research activities related to thematic 

framework areas. 

Objective 2: Secure agency commitments for coordination and collaboration in selected 

thematic areas. 

Objective 3: Promote and establish a repository of research materials and best practices 

for accessible and usable health information technology. 

Objective 4: Develop a focused research plan for CIL services to understand their value 

to the disability community. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 12

Objective 5: Develop a housing research portfolio among agencies that share an interest 

in research and policy related to housing for individuals with disabilities. 

Objective 6: Create a Youth Transition Research Academy to analyze and advance 

quality research methodologies to improve the transition-related evidence base. 

Objective 7: Convene key stakeholders to develop infusion and inclusion strategies to 

include persons with disabilities as a target audience among federal agencies conducting 

health and wellness programs and research initiatives. 

Objective 8: Convene key stakeholders to build upon newly defined and emerging 

federal agency priorities for medical rehabilitation. 

Goal 2: Develop a GWI of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research. 

Objective 1: Evaluate the applicability of the Federal RePORTER tool to meet the ICDR 

GWI requirement. 

Objective 2: Develop an action plan to establish a protocol for generating the GWI from 

the Federal RePORTER system. 

Objective 3: Implement and test protocols to generate the new GWI through the 

Federal RePORTER system. 

Goal 3: Promote ongoing stakeholder input on gaps and priorities for disability, independent 

living, and rehabilitation research. 

Objective 1: Assess agency need for disability stakeholder input. 

Objective 2: Develop action plan to create a central resource for stakeholder input. 

Objective 3: Implement stakeholder input resource in accord with action plan.

Public Comment Period 

In a Federal Register notice (Volume 81, No. 197, October 12, 2016) NIDILRR invited the public 

and other federal agencies to comment on the ICDR Draft Government-wide Strategic Plan for 

FY 2017–2020. Participation and input from stakeholders have been important throughout the 

process of developing this initial strategic plan, culminating in the public comment period. Over 

the three-week period, nine comments were received. A summary of the comments and the 

ICDR’s response can be found in Appendix D. The document highlights the main points from the 

nine comments received and describes any changes made to the plan resulting from those 

comments. It is also included as a supplement in the strategic plan for future ICDR reference. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 13

Searchable Government-wide Inventory of Disability, 

Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

WIOA requires the ICDR to develop and maintain a searchable GWI of disability, independent 

living, and rehabilitation research for trend and data analysis across federal agencies. Thus, 

instead of identifying research issues and priorities, the working group studied different options 

for establishing the GWI. 

The working group recommended that the ICDR capitalize upon and leverage an existing 

database, the Federal RePORTER. Federal RePORTER is a searchable public database of 

scientific research awards from federal agencies; this database was formed by Star Metrics, a 

federal and research institution collaboration led by the White House Office of Science and 

Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science 

Foundation (NSF). The Federal RePORTER serves as a repository of data and tools to assess the 

impact of federal research and development (R&D) investments. The Federal RePORTER’s open 

and automated data infrastructure enables users to document and analyze inputs, outputs, and 

outcomes resulting from federal investments in science. 

The system leverages existing data collected by federal agencies on federal investments at the 

individual, award, and institutional levels. It has the potential for broad collaboration between 

federal science and technology funding agencies that share a vision of developing data 

infrastructures and products that support evidence-based analyses of the impact of science and 

technology investment. The goal of the Federal RePORTER is to utilize existing administrative 

data from federal agencies and match them with existing research databases on economic, 

scientific, and social outcomes. 

The GWI working group initiated a beta testing analysis of the Federal RePORTER to assess a 

number of search and analysis features. The first focus was to search for information on the 

research area of “assistive technology” funded across the federal government. The group is 

exploring the possibility of conducting analyses using Federal RePORTER that support the ICDR 

strategic planning process. Potential approaches include testing search and analysis functions,

focusing on identifying potential common ground or shared interests among agencies, and 

seeking opportunities to capitalize on existing capabilities and leverage resources. 

Strategic Planning Next Steps

The EC and the working groups are moving forward with statutory member approval of the final 

strategic plan. In addition to completing the vetting process, the focus in FY 2017 will be on the 

implementation of the strategic plan’s goals and objectives. Working groups will continue to 

meet on a regular basis to execute the strategies for implementation identified in the strategic 

plan, engaging key stakeholders and partners as needed. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 14

Highlighted Activities of the ICDR 

In addition to the development of the strategic plan, the ICDR remained active in the ongoing 

work of its mission and supported continued collaboration among its member agencies and 

partners. Additional activities include hosting four EC meetings and three medical rehabilitation 

research webinars. 

Optimizing Productivity

The collaborative nature of the ICDR extends to leveraging resources and expertise. In 

accordance with continuing efforts to enhance interagency coordination and collaboration, the 

ICDR provides a platform to discuss key issues and emerging concerns, identify innovations, and 

explore partnership opportunities that may result in cost-saving activities. The EC and standing 

committees are regular forums for agency updates, identifying and recommending partnership 

activities and engaging stakeholders from the research, disability advocacy, and other 

communities in a dialogue about disability, rehabilitation, and independent living research and 

emerging issues. 

In FY 2016, the ICDR launched a new website at ICDR.acl.gov. The new design increases 

transparency and enhances the ICDR’s mission to promote coordination and cooperation 

among federal departments and agencies conducting disability, independent living, and 

rehabilitation research programs, including programs relating to AT research and research that 

incorporates the principles of UD. 

The ICDR also utilizes a web-based tool to promote interagency collaboration. The ICDR website 

is designed to promote information dissemination to public stakeholders and promote their 

engagement. Website features afford the standing committees the opportunity to share 

meeting summaries, decisions, recommendations, and other information across the ICDR in 

order to enhance coordination and collaboration. 

Four Executive Committee Meetings 

The EC met in November, January, June, and September of FY 2016. The meetings gave the EC 

members the opportunity to convene and discuss strategic planning activities, review drafts of 

the strategic plan, and vote on and approve the various versions. 

November 2015: The EC reviewed working group progress and stakeholder input related to 

potential problem statements in order to refine ideas and potential initiatives to include in the 

ICDR strategic plan, including: 

 consideration of potential synergies, common ideas, and resources; 

 deliberation on which ideas warrant further development as a part of the ICDR strategic 

planning process; and 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 15

 initial work to draft measurable goals and objectives, timetables, needed resources, and 

key responsible individuals/agencies. 

January 2016: The EC considered strategic plan priorities and action plans recommended by the 

working groups in order to select a small, achievable list of priorities that can move forward in 

the draft strategic plan. Activities included: 

 providing input on problem statements and action plans;

 selecting a small, achievable list of priorities;

 discussing the process for assuring agency “buy-in” if an agency has a major stake or 

role in a particular priority; and

 determining next steps, including possible action on recommended priorities not 

selected for inclusion in the strategic plan. 

June 2016: The EC discussed the draft strategic plan and how the ICDR will move forward to 

implement it. Discussions included: 

 government-wide scope of the ICDR;

 the draft strategic plan and steps for stakeholder input;

 information to be collected in the data call to agencies;

 working group updates; and 

 EC membership.

September 2016: The EC discussed and approved the draft strategic plan and how the ICDR will 

move forward to implement it. Discussions included: 

 approval of the strategic plan;

 information to be collected in the data call to agencies;

 working group updates; and 

 the launch of the new ICDR website.

Meeting summaries and any supplemental materials can be found on the Executive Committee 

page on the ICDR website at: http://icdr.acl.gov/committee/executive-committee.

Three Medical Rehabilitation Research Webinars

As a result of stakeholder input, the ICDR held three webinars to obtain additional input on the 

medical rehabilitation aspects of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research. The 

group conducted a more detailed gap analysis related to rehabilitation research and the crosscutting themes of transition, economics of disability, accessibility, and disparities. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 16

One suggestion from these meetings that was implemented right away was changing the 

working group “Health and Wellness” to “Health, Functioning, and Wellness” to ensure 

stakeholders understand that the scope of the working group recognizes the importance of 

medical rehabilitation. 

Participants were asked to prioritize from a list of seven key topics that were discussed during 

the three meetings (health and functioning, capacity building, translational science, 

methodological approaches, collaboration, economics, and access to care/reimbursement). 

Based on the results, access to care/reimbursement, health and functioning, and translational 

science were suggested as the top three topics for the ICDR to include in the government-wide 

strategic plan. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 17

Appendix A: Statutory Authorization 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 

(WIOA) (Public Law 113-128)

Title 29 – Labor; Chapter 16 – Vocational Rehabilitation and other Rehabilitation Services; 

Subchapter II – Research and Training 

§763. Interagency Committee 

Retrieved from: 

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=Title+29+Chapter+16+%3F+Vocational+Rehabilitation

+and+other+Rehabilitation+Services%3B+Subchapter+II+%3F+Research+and+Training&f=treeso

rt&fq=true&num=13&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title29-section763

(1)

(a) Establishment; membership; meetings 

 In order to promote coordination and cooperation among Federal departments and 

agencies conducting disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research programs, 

including programs relating to assistive technology research and research that 

incorporates the principles of universal design, there is established within the Federal 

Government an Interagency Committee on Disability Research (hereinafter in this section 

referred to as the "Committee"), chaired by the Secretary, or the Secretary's designee, 

and comprised of such members as the President may designate, including the following 

(or their designees): the Director, the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services 

Administration, the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 

the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, the Secretary of 

Defense, the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, the Secretary of 

Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Director of the National Institutes of 

Health, the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, the Administrator of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of Transportation, the 

Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, the Director of the Indian Health 

Service, the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Administrator of the 

Small Business Administration. 

(2) The Committee shall meet not less than four times each year, and for not less than 1 of 

such meetings at least every 2 years, the Committee shall invite policymakers, 

representatives from other Federal agencies conducting relevant research, individuals with 

disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers, and 

providers, to offer input on the Committee's work, including the development and 

implementation of the strategic plan required under subsection (c). 

(b) Duties 

(1) After receiving input individuals 1

 with disabilities, the Committee shall identify, assess, 

and seek to coordinate all Federal programs, activities, and projects, and plans for such 

programs, activities, and projects with respect to the conduct of research (including 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 18

assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal 

design) related to independent living and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. 

(2) In carrying out its duties with respect to the conduct of Federal research (including 

assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal 

design) related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, the Committee shall- 

(A) share information regarding the range of assistive technology research, independent 

living research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal design, that is 

being carried out by members of the Committee and other Federal departments and 

organizations; 

(B) identify, and make efforts to address, gaps in assistive technology research, 

independent living research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal 

design that are not being adequately addressed; 

(C) identify, and establish, clear research priorities related to assistive technology 

research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design for the 

Federal Government; 

(D) 

(E)

promote interagency collaboration and joint research activities relating to assistive 

technology research, independent living research, and research that incorporates the 

principles of universal design at the Federal level, and reduce unnecessary duplication of 

effort regarding these types of research within the Federal Government; and 

optimize the productivity of Committee members through resource sharing and 

other cost-saving activities, related to assistive technology research, independent living 

research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal design. 

(c) Strategic plan 

(1) The Committee shall develop a comprehensive government-wide strategic plan for 

disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research. 

(2) The strategic plan shall include, at a minimum- 

(A) a description of the- 

(i) measurable goals and objectives; 

(ii) existing resources each agency will devote to carrying out the plan; 

(iii) timetables for completing the projects outlined in the plan; and 

(iv) assignment of responsible individuals and agencies for carrying out the 

research activities; 

(B) research priorities and recommendations; 

(C) a description of how funds from each agency will be combined, as appropriate, for 

projects administered among Federal agencies, and how such funds will be 

administered; 

(D) the development and ongoing maintenance of a searchable government-wide 

inventory of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research for trend and data 

analysis across Federal agencies; 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 19

(E) guiding principles, policies, and procedures, consistent with the best research 

practices available, for conducting and administering disability, independent living, and 

rehabilitation research across Federal agencies; and 

(F) a summary of underemphasized and duplicative areas of research. 

(3) The strategic plan described in this subsection shall be submitted to the President and 

the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee 

on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives. 

(d) Annual report 

Not later than December 31 of each year, the Committee shall prepare and submit, to the 

President and to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 

Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a 

report that- 

(1) describes the progress of the Committee in fulfilling the duties described in subsections 

(b) and (c), and including specifically for subsection (c)- 

(A) a report of the progress made in implementing the strategic plan, including progress 

toward implementing the elements described in subsection (c)(2)(A); and 

(B) detailed budget information.2

 

(2) makes such recommendations as the Committee determines to be appropriate with 

respect to coordination of policy and development of objectives and priorities for all Federal 

programs relating to the conduct of research (including assistive technology research and 

research that incorporates the principles of universal design) related to rehabilitation of 

individuals with disabilities; and 

(3) describes the activities that the Committee recommended to be funded through grants, 

contracts, cooperative agreements, and other mechanisms, for assistive technology 

research and development and research and development that incorporates the principles 

of universal design. 

(e) Definitions 

In this section- 

(1) the terms "assistive technology" and "universal design" have the meanings given the 

terms in section 3002 of this title; and 

(2) the term "independent living", used in connection with research, means research on 

issues and topics related to attaining maximum self-sufficiency and function by individuals 

with disabilities, including research on assistive technology and universal design, 

employment, education, health and wellness, and community integration and participation. 

(Pub. L. 93–112, title II, §203, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, §405, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 

1173 ; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §401(16)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 

2681–337 , 2681-412; Pub. L. 105–394, title II, §201, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3651 ; Pub. L. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 20

108–364, §3(b)(1), Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1737 ; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, §434, July 22, 2014, 

128 Stat. 1664.) 

Prior Provisions 

Provisions similar to this section were contained in section 761b of this title prior to the general 

amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–220. 

A prior section 763, Pub. L. 93–112, title II, §203, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 376 , relating to 

making of grants and contracts for training of personnel involved in vocational services to 

handicapped individuals, was renumbered section 304 of Pub. L. 93–112 and transferred to 

section 774 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–128. 

Amendments 

2014-Pub.L 113-128

 Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(1)(A),substituted "conducting disability, 

independent living, and rehabilitation research" for "conducting rehabilitation 

research", "chaired by the Secretary, or the Secretary's designee," for "chaired by the 

Director", and "the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Administrator 

of the Small Business Administration." for "and the Director of the National Science 

Foundation." and inserted "the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment 

Policy, the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the Administration for Community 

Living," after "Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,". 

 Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(1)(B), inserted ", and for not less than 1 of such 

meetings at least every 2 years, the Committee shall invite policymakers, 

representatives from other Federal agencies conducting relevant research, individuals 

with disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers, 

and providers, to offer input on the Committee's work, including the development and 

implementation of the strategic plan required under subsection (c)" after "each year". 

 Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(2)(A), substituted "individuals with disabilities" for 

"from targeted individuals" and inserted "independent living and" before 

"rehabilitation". 

 Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(2)(B)(i), inserted "independent living research," 

after "assistive technology research,". 

 Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (D), (E). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(2)(B)(ii)–(iv), inserted ", independent 

living research," after "assistive technology research".

 Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(5), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated 

(d). 

 Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(6)(A), substituted "Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions of the Senate" for "Committee on Labor and Human Resources of 

the Senate" in introductory provisions. 

 Pub. L. 113–128, §434(3), (4), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d) and struck out former 

subsec. (d) which related to recommendations for coordinating research among Federal 

departments. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 21

 Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(6)(B), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) 

which read as follows: "describes the progress of the Committee in fulfilling the duties 

described in subsection (b) of this section;". 

 Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 113–128, §434(7), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) 

which read as follows: "the term 'targeted individuals' has the meaning given the term 

'targeted individuals and entities' in section 3002 of this title." 

2004-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–364 added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which 

read as follows: "In this section, the terms 'assistive technology', 'targeted individuals', and 

'universal design' have the meanings given the terms in section 3002 of this title." 

1998-Pub. L. 105–277 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 105–220, 

§405, which enacted this section. 

 Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–394, §201(1), inserted "including programs relating to 

assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal 

design," after "programs,". 

 Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–394, §201(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), 

substituted "targeted individuals" for "individuals with disabilities and the individuals' 

representatives", inserted "(including assistive technology research and research that 

incorporates the principles of universal design)" after "research", and added par. (2). 

 Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–394, §201(3), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. 

(c) which read as follows: "The Committee shall annually submit to the President and to 

the appropriate committees of the Congress a report making such recommendations as 

the Committee deems appropriate with respect to coordination of policy and 

development of objectives and priorities for all Federal programs relating to the conduct 

of research related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities." 

 Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 105–394, §201(4), added subsecs. (d) and (e). 

Change of Name 

 Committee on Labor and Human Resources of Senate changed to Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions of Senate by Senate Resolution No. 20, One Hundred 

Sixth Congress, Jan. 19, 1999. 



1

 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "from".

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSCprelim-title29-

section763&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUyOS1zZWN

0aW9uNzYy%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim%20-%20763_1 



2

 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSCprelim-title29-

section763&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUyOS1zZWN

0aW9uNzYy%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim%20-%20763 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 22

Appendix B: ICDR Membership and 

Federal Participation 

The ICDR is chaired by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or 

her designee. The authorizing statute identifies the leadership from 16 other departments, 

agencies, and offices, as well as others the president may designate, as statutory members who 

provide leadership and oversight for the committee. Statutory members include: 

Secretary, Health and Human Services 

Director, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research 

Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration 

Assistant Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 

Assistant Secretary, Labor for Disability Employment Policy 

Secretary, Defense 

Administrator, Administration for Community Living 

Secretary, Education 

Secretary, Veterans Affairs 

Director, National Institutes of Health 

Director, National Institute of Mental Health 

Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Secretary, Transportation 

Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs 

Director, Indian Health Service 

Director, National Science Foundation, 

Administrator, Small Business Administration 

In addition to the statutory members, other federal and nonfederal partners contribute to the 

deliberations, events, and products of the ICDR. Some federal partners play key leadership roles 

on the ICDR by serving as co-chairs for standing committees, co-funding activities, and 

providing resources to support achievement of ICDR goals. In FY 2016, the ICDR hosted a 

number of federal entities, and stakeholder organizations, memberships, and businesses. 

Throughout the year 15 federal agencies, 13 independent government agencies/corporations, 

54 universities and colleges, and 138 other stakeholder organizations and businesses 

participated in the activities of the ICDR. The following is a list of partners who supported ICDR 

activities in FY 2016: 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 23

Federal Government Agencies 

General Services Administration (GSA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Peace Corps 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

U.S. Forest Service 

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

U.S. Census Bureau 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 

U.S. Army

Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program (CRMRP) 

Medical Research and Materiel Command (MRMC)

Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) 

Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP)

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity (ODMEO) 

U.S. Department of Education (ED)

Institute of Education Sciences (IES); National Center for Special Education Research 

(NCSER) 

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) 

Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) 

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 

Office of the Secretary (OS)

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) 

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)

Administration on Children and Families (ACF) 

Administration for Community Living (ACL)

Administration on Disabilities 

Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 24

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation 

Research (NIDILRR) 

The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement (CEPI)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)

Office of Minority Health (OMH)

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)

Division of Human Development and Disability (DHDD)

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Center for Devices and Radiological Health 

Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL)

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)

National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) 

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Division of Behavioral and Social Research (DBSR)

Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology (DGCG)

Office of Special Populations

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) 

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) 

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 25

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Office of Accessible Systems & Technology (OAST) 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) 

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

Office of Justice Programs 

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)

U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) 

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) 

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

U.S. Department of State 

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Office of Operations Research and Development (R&D) 

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation 

U.S. Department of Treasury 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 

Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D)

VA Medical Center – Washington D.C. 

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 

Office of Research & Development (ORD)

U.S. Senate 

U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)

Office Employment Support Programs (OESP) 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 26

Independent Agencies and Government Corporations

U.S. Access Board 

Corportation for National and Community Services (CNCS)

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

National Council on Disability (NCD) 

National Science Foundation (NSF)

National Security Agency (NSA)

Nonfederal Stakeholders

Universities/Colleges 

Azusa Pacific University 

Baylor University College of Medicine

Boston University, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation 

Brandeis University

The College of New Jersey 

Cornell University – School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), Yang-Tan Employment and 

Disability Institute (EDI) 

Dartmouth College 

Drexel University

George Washington University – The GW mHealth Collaborative, Center For Rehabilitation 

Counseling Research And Education (CRCRE)

Georgia Institute of Technology – Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) 

Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

Ohio State University (OSU) 

Oregon State University

Pennsylvania State University (PSU) 

Pfeiffer University

Portland State University 

Rochester Institute of Technology - National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)

Rutgers University 

Southern University

Syracuse University 

Towson University

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – Lakeshore Foundation 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 27

University at Albany, The State University of New York (SUNY)

University of Arkansas

University of Baltimore

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Center on Assistive Technology, 

Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer (KT4TT), Center for Inclusive Design 

and Environmental Access (IDEA)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

University of Central Florida (UCF)

University of Chicago – National Opinion Research Center (NORC)

University of Colorado – School of Medicine (CU)

University of Connecticut (UConn)

University of Delaware – Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS)

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

University of Iowa – Center for Disabilities and Development

University of Kansas – (UDL-IRN); Research and Training Center on Independent Living (RTCIL)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES)

University of Maryland – School of Medicine

University of Massachusetts(UMASS), Boston – Institute for Community Inclusion 

University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Medical School – Transitions RTC 

University of Michigan 

University of Minnesota 

University of Montana – Rural Institute on Disabilities, Research and Training Center on Rural 

Communities (RTC)

University of New Hampshire – Institute on Disability (IOD)

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina, Charlotte – National Technical Assistance Center on Transition 

(NTACT)

University of Pennsylvania (UPENN)

University of Pittsburgh – Health Sciences Library System (HSLS)

University of Southern California (USC)

University of Texas at Houston (UTH) – School of Dentistry

University of Wisconsin – Madison, Trace Research & Development Center

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) – Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on 

Employment of People with Physical Disabilities (VCU-RRTC)

Wayne State University – Institute of Gerontology

West Virginia University (WVU)
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 28

Other Organizations

3C Institute

Abt Associates

Accessibility Partners

AEGIS.net, Inc.

Aetna

Ai Squared

Allscripts

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

American Association on Health & Disability (AAHD)

American College of Cardiology (ACC)

American Council of the Blind (ACB)

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

American Health Care Association (AHCA)

American Institutes for Research (AIR), SEDL

American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Amputee Coalition

Anikto LLC

ao Strategies

Apprio, Inc.

The Arc of the United States

Assistive Technology Partners

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN)

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

AT&T Services, Inc.

Autism Society of America

Battelle Memorial Institute

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID)

Boston Children’s Hospital 

California Department of Social Services

Carolinas HealthCare System

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 29

Center for Civic Design

Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY)

Charis Youth Center

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Children's National Health System

Chiron Business Solutions

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

City of Alexandria Workforce Development Center

Citywide Council on Special Education

Cleveland Sight Center

Cognitive Compass

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

Computing Research Association (CRA)

Concepts, Inc.

Connected Health Resources

Department of Disability Services (DDS) – DC Government

Dinah F. Cohen Consulting, LLC

Disability Policy Consortium

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC)

Division of Rehabilitation Services – Maryland.gov (DORS)

Easter Seals

EHRSelector.com

Freedom Scientific

Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)

Full Circle Interdisciplinary (FCI) Consulting

GENEX Services, LLC

Goodwill Industries International

The Green Technology Group, LLC.

HCM Strategists, LLC

Healthwise

Hispanic Business Foundation of Maryland

Howard County Public Schools

IBM

IMPAQ International LLC

Inclusion Research Institute (IRI)

Inclusive Technologies

Independence Care System

Independent You
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 30

Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)

Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL)

Institute for Matching Person & Technology

Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI)

Intel

Investment Company Institute (ICI)

Ivymount Corporation

JBS International, Inc.

Karavive

Kessler Foundation 

The Lewin Group

Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP)

M. Davis and Company, Inc.

Managed Care Advisors, Inc. (MCA)

Maryland State Department of Education

Mathematica Policy Research (MPR)

MedStar Family Choice

National Alliance for Caregiving

The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, Got Transition

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)

National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH (NCAM)

National Center for Environmental Health Strategies, Inc. (NCEHS)

National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH)

National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD)

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

National Down Syndrome Society

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation 

NebulaRiver, LLC

New York State Department of Health

Northeast ADA Center

Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) – DC Government

Partnership for Action. Voices for Empowerment (PAVE)

Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC

Prince George's County Public Schools, Maryland

Project Management Institute (PMI)

Prosocial Applications, Inc.

Public Health Institute (PHI)
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 31

Qualcomm, Inc.

RCM of Washington, Inc. 

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

Rehabilitation Opportunities, Inc. (ROI) 

RespectAbility USA

Ribbon Consulting Group 

Senior & Disability Services, Lane Council of Governments

Shepherd Center 

Social Dynamics, LLC

SourceAmerica 

South Carolina Commission for the Blind

Southwest ADA Center 

Spina Bifida Association

St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute 

Statewide Independent Living Council Training & Technical Assistance Center (SILC T&TA) 

Sutter Health 

TASH

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) 

TransCen, Inc.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) 

United Spinal Association

The Usability People 

User-View, Inc.

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) 

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Western New York Independent Living, In
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 32

Appendix C: Working Group 

Problem Statements 

After initial brainstorming, the working groups developed problem statements that 

incorporated the most pressing ideas identified through the brainstorming process. The 

following are the problem statements identified by the working groups by the end of FY 2015. 

In FY 2016, the ICDR continued to work with stakeholders to refine priorities and coordinate 

efforts within the federal government and select actionable strategies for ICDR activities. 

Assistive Technology and Universal Design Problem 

Statements

Problem Statement 1: Accessible, Usable and Interoperable Health 

Information Technology: Health, Wellness and Information Access 

(Potential for Collaboration with Health and Disability ICDR 

Committee) 

The Affordable Care Act has spurred the development of person centered health information 

technology (IT). Though people with disabilities and older adults make up a large population of 

users of health, many health IT systems, including “apps,” electronic health records (EHRs), 

personal health records (PHRs), telehealth, and kiosks, are not accessible and/or usable. Nor is 

the industry utilizing current knowledge about universal design. Research related to the 

benefits for clinical, home and community-based service delivery systems is limited. There is a 

need to apply accessibility standards to health IT and introduce vendors to automated 

testing/evaluation tools. Research is needed on all aspects of accessibility in health IT physical 

design as well as interface. One expressed need is for the ICDR to promote, sponsor, or 

assemble a repository of education materials and best practices. This resource could provide 

examples (back end and front end) of health IT accessible designs. 

Problem Statement 2: Building Capacity

There is a need to build capacity in research, practice, academia, and industry. This work should 

involve people with disabilities in the planning and decision making at all levels. Some key areas 

of focus may include integrating accessibility and disability into standard curriculum for 

engineers/developers/designers and health workforce, and creating scalable course materials, 

and promoting accessibility hackathons. Additional activities such as promoting the newly 

forming certification program of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals 

(IAAP) and exploring possible certification of vocational rehabilitation assessment and intake 

specialists are also suggested. Another key are of focus is the development of a Community of 

Practice where researchers of different disciplines are engaged and involved in cross-cutting 

accessibility initiatives. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 33

Problem Statement 3: Economics of Assistive Technology (AT) and 

Universal Design 

The Committee expressed interest in gathering hard data on the economics of universal design 

and AT, including policy research and development. It is a branch of the sociology of technology 

that is needed for sustainability. We need to contemplate the possibility that the Quality of Life 

and other benefits to consumers may be great, but may come at a price to consumers, 

providers and taxpayers. Efforts should focus on countering misinformation about the cost of 

accessibility with data that shows real costs and real benefits, and demonstrate the benefits of 

incorporating accessibility at the start of design rather than introducing AT at the end of 

development. Another area of focus should be on the aging population and the growing 

demand for accessibility across all life domains. 

Community Integration and Participation Problem 

Statements

Problem Statement 1: Housing - First Ingredient for Community 

Integration 

Outcomes related to community integration are directly associated with the availability and 

quality of housing resources for persons with disabilities. How might investigators evaluate and 

measure the characteristics of housing stocks at both community and population levels? To 

what degree does discrimination constitute a barrier to obtaining satisfactory housing? 

Developing a research portfolio on the relationship between housing and community 

integration should induce the resources and cooperative participation of the HUD Office of 

Policy Development and Research. Investigating outcomes associated with enforcement of the 

1999 Olmstead decision, toward ensuring that persons with disabilities receive housing and 

other services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, should induce the 

involvement of the OCR at DOJ. Surveying persons with disabilities about their degree of need 

for home modifications, financial assistance for housing, and preferences for specific locations 

or types of housing units all represent worthwhile investigations within this category of a 

forthcoming research portfolio. 

Problem Statement 2: Longitudinal Data Collection on Targeted 

Populations 

Very little is understood about whether system-level interventions among persons with 

intellectual or psychiatric disabilities actually generate any beneficial effects on selfdetermination, social inclusion, participation, quality of life or employment. Such constructs 

and outcomes are difficult to quantify. Evaluating such outcomes generally requires data 

derived from longitudinal observations of individuals or a cohort who receive either formal, 

informal or no support services. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 34

A forthcoming research portfolio related to longitudinal data collection among persons with 

intellectual disabilities and/or mental disorders would incorporate investigation into “best 

practices” or methods for identifying and following specific persons with specific types of 

disabilities. Such methods would address persons enrolled in formal service delivery systems, as 

well as those who receive either informal or no services and who therefore might be difficult to 

track and follow longitudinally, but whose experiences contribute to overall community-level 

outcomes. Nevertheless, convening and maintaining a true longitudinal cohort of such persons 

would be expensive and challenging. Therefore, research on the longitudinal benefits of 

community integration might emphasize alternate statistical approaches, such as modeling 

community-level inputs and outputs among members of a “virtual cohort.”

Problem Statement 3: Efficacy of Interventions Designed to 

Improve Community Integration and Participation

These cornerstone “Four E-Words” substantially influence the conduct of research on 

community integration and participation: Efficacy, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Evaluation. To 

date, very little is understood about the very first concept, Efficacy, when considering 

community-level interventions. What works? What interventions work best and among the 

greatest number of patients or clients? Are there gradations or degrees of efficacy of certain 

interventions among persons with specific types of disabilities? Should interventions with low 

efficacy be jettisoned?

Formal investigation is needed into “Intervention Efficacy.” Generally, there is demand for 

research into the efficacy of services and supports provided by actual Centers for Independent 

Living (CILs); although well meaning, some CIL-delivered interventions might not be efficacious, 

either at the level of the individual client or his or her own community. Specifically, there is 

expanding need to understand the prioritization of services typically delivered within the CIL 

umbrella, in order to maximize inputs for the highest-priority or most efficacious services. For 

example, it would be worthwhile to quantify whether such services as housing assistance, peer 

counseling to enhance self-determination, or employment assistance have differential effects 

on overall community integration.

Problem Statement 4: Methods for Scaling Up Community-Level 

Interventions with Demonstrated Efficacy

The results from several decades of NIDRR-sponsored research, particularly generated by the 

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) and Rehabilitation Engineering Research 

Center (RERC) programs, have been impressive in demonstrating the usefulness and general 

efficacy of interventions or programmatic initiatives, but generally only among individual clients 

or small cohorts of study participants. Moreover, very little is understood about the differential 

effects of specifically targeting of interventions to or among individuals, health care 

practitioners or disability service providers, or at the community at-large, and whether 

combining targeted interventions yields greater effects than one intervention alone.
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 35

In the new era represented by specifically incorporating “Independent Living” concepts into 

NIDILRR’s mission, rather than testing or demonstrating previously-evaluated interventions at 

the cohort level, it might be worthwhile and necessary to test and demonstrate methods for 

scaling up those cohort-level interventions that might work best or generate the most favorable 

outcomes at the community level. It will be important to identify and measure the most 

efficient strategies for scaling up small-bore interventions into large-caliber community 

interventions. For example, research results recently generated by one RRTC demonstrated 

that persons with disabilities who are employed respond with high degree of sensitivity to the 

specific characteristics of coverage within their employer-sponsored health insurance packages, 

even inducing “job mobility” or job changes among such employees seeking to maximize their 

health insurance benefits. How could these effects be similarly demonstrated at the national or 

population level? Could interventions targeting large numbers of employees with disabilities, 

such as awareness about health insurance coverage gaps, change employer or employee 

behaviors, be associated with improved outcomes in community integration? “Scaling up” is 

broader than simply increasing service volume or inputs to accommodate a larger number of 

clients. Instead, scaling up requires understanding community dynamics, the differential 

presence of barriers and facilitators in each community, and priorities expressed by persons 

with disabilities in specific types of communities, such as rural communities.

Problem Statement 5: Optimizing Community Integration and 

Participation Outcomes through Managed Care Delivery Systems

States, mostly under the Medicaid program, are rapidly creating or adapting systems for 

delivering health and social services among individuals with disabilities under managed care

delivery systems, for example, invoking capitated payment or other integrated care systems. On 

one hand, some managed care providers have a reputation for delivering services at a minimum 

level. A worthwhile line of investigation would be into the detrimental effects of managed care 

systems on outcomes associated with health, employment or community integration, or other 

healthcare outcomes for disabled persons. There are also beneficial aspects or outcomes 

associated with delivering health and social services in managed care environments, which 

might contribute over time to improvements in community integration and peoples’ degree of 

participation in their communities. How might managed care systems be engineered to deliver 

the potentially beneficial outcomes, without delivering undesirable or unsatisfactory outcomes, 

particularly when evaluated at the level of local communities?

At the level of the community or population, it is important to support investigations into the 

delivery and receipt of specific types of services typically offered by managed care providers. 

For example, providing an assigned, qualified personal care assistant for clients in Medicaid 

home and community-based services programs, which may be delivered by managed care 

organizations, represents a quantifiable intervention whose effects could be measured. What 

might be the characteristics of a personal care assistant intervention in the managed care 

environment that contribute to enhanced quality of life?
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 36

Problem Statement 6: Evaluation of Outcomes Associated with 

Services Provided by Centers for Independent Living 

Few can question the intrinsic value of services offered by CILs, nor their role in bolstering 

disability rights and self-determination. Nevertheless, little is understood about the net impact 

of specific types of services and delivery methods utilized by CILs on behalf of individual 

patients and clients when assessed at the community level. What works or doesn’t work at the 

CILs? Should services with only a low level of demonstrated efficacy be provided by CILs 

optionally or according to client preference? What is the untapped potential of CILs to deliver 

health and social services not adequately delivered by other types of personnel or agencies? 

As with any business organization or entity, it is worthwhile to clarify those management 

practices that enhance the operation of CILs, which are highly-specialized business 

organizations offering services for clients with both hidden and visible disabilities. How might 

CILs better induce clients who had not previously participated in CIL programs to enter the 

facility and receive optimized services? If clients express satisfaction with the receipt of specific 

services, such as job coaching, housing assistance or legal counseling, how can such services be 

streamlined in order to provide them for a larger proportion of clients within a community? 

Problem Statement 7: Barriers Associated with Consumers’ Receipt 

of Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports 

States have continued expanding their Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) 

programs. - In this expansion, many states have utilized managed care delivery systems to 

expand HCBS to various populations, which can present practical difficulties. For example, 

states may have a financial incentive to deliver HCBS programs through managed care 

companies. However, full information is not available about the longer-term negative or 

positive outcomes of delivering such a service at the community level to disabled persons. 

Moreover, among persons with some types of disabilities, for example intellectual disabilities, 

and among the states, there can be broad differences in the types or intensities of HCBS 

services delivered. As a result, there is much variability in the depth and quality of data 

collected and reported about services and outcomes. 

It is important and timely to examine this problematic breadth or divergence of types of HCBS 

provided by states. Improving data quality and accessibility to transparent data about HCBS 

including quality metrics at par with clinical performance measures would be of paramount 

interest. Methods for estimating the size of unserved or underserved populations would be 

essential, too. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 37

Employment and Education Problem Statements

Problem Statement 1: Transition 

Many students, youth, and adults with disabilities continue to face challenges as they transition 

from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education and employment. 

These individuals often have lower graduation rates, lower postsecondary enrollment rates, 

and higher unemployment rates than peers without disabilities. Evidence-based practices have 

the potential to guide programs and services for youth and young adults as they transition from 

the educational system to the workplace. Promising areas for future research include 

workplace learning, career planning, early vocational rehabilitation involvement, mitigating risk 

factors, employer perspectives, and disclosure of disability. 

Problem Statement 2: Development of Evidence-based Practices 

and Scale-Up

Evidence-based practices are only useful if they result in improved outcomes when 

implemented in real-world settings. Research in disability employment should produce 

evidence-based practices that are successful at scale-up. Federal priorities in disability research 

should encourage researchers to: 1) develop evidence-based practices, 2) conduct research in 

how to bring promising evidence-based practices, interventions, and programs to scale, 3) 

incorporate principles of implementation science, and 4) plan for scale early in the research 

design process. 

Problem Statement 3: Career Pathways and the Participation of 

Individuals with Disabilities 

Career pathways are a workforce development approach that increases the number of adult 

workers in the U.S. who gain industry-recognized and academic credentials necessary to work 

in jobs that are in-demand. Career pathways structure intentional connections among 

employers, adult basic education, support service to providers, occupational training, and 

postsecondary education programs. A number of career pathways efforts are underway with 

limited information on how to study career pathway participants with disabilities. 

Health, Functioning and Wellness Problem Statements

Problem Statement 1: Preventive Health Services 

There is limited research about how preventive health care and services to promote optimal 

health and wellness, and avert worsening of sequelae for children and adults with disabilities. 

Across the health care continuum, integrated approaches are needed to simultaneously 

address the many risk factors and conditions, as well as the medical, functional, and societal 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 38

limitations including determinants that influence the health and well-being of persons with 

disabilities. 

To effectively and equitably address the disparities in the continuum of care, cross-cutting and 

integrated strategies can include (1) epidemiology and surveillance for early detection and 

prevention or to inform needed programs, (2) environmental and community approaches to 

promote health, support healthy behaviors, including wellness centers to promote healthy 

lifestyles and (3) interventions that reduce barriers to care and improve the effective use of 

clinical and preventive services for persons with disabilities. This also means increasing full 

participation in the community, by reasonable modifications of policies, practices and 

procedures. 

Some additional related examples: 

 Health promotion and wellness facilities that facilitate healthy living, optimal 

functioning and effective coping strategies. 

 How to ensure that services needed to create a healthy life are studied. For example, 

gyms that support disability exercise do not exist. Especially in rural areas, people with 

disabilities have difficulty getting places. 

 Need for behavioral health and mental health services 

 Need for evidence-based health transition programs for youth with disabilities 

 Research on disparities and health outcomes among persons with disabilities with 

poorer outcomes

Problem Statement 2: Public Health and Surveillance 

There is a need for better surveillance methods or tools in public health to measure and track 

prevalence of disabilities and untangle congenital, acquired, and disability derived conditions 

from chronic conditions. The American Community Survey adopted disability identifiers are 

helpful. However, since disability is a complex construct, additional identifiers are needed to 

inform research and promote scientifically sound interventions. Public health and policy 

professionals need to consider initiatives that will help reduce disability-related health 

disparities. 

Other related issues: 

 Infuse disability populations into federal initiatives on health and public health 

consistently and meaningfully. 

 Examine morbidity and mortality differences between different groups (income, race 

and ethnicity) in people with and without disabilities. 

 Many researchers have noted the “aging tsunami,” but aging with a (congenital or 

acquired) disability is an overlooked issue. 

 Address the issue of multiple chronic conditions in persons with disabilities 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 39

Problem Statement 3: Health Disparities and Interventions for 

Persons with Disabilities 

Individuals with disabilities experience significant health disparities compared to the 

nondisabled population. Despite the documented need, the focus on health disparity issues 

within the disability population is limited. Members of racial and ethnic minority groups with 

disabilities experience higher rates of health disparities compared to their nondisabled peers of 

the same race and ethnicity. Certain sub-types of disabilities contribute more to the disparity 

depending on the type of variable. Research on health disparities and health interventions 

needs to focus on subpopulation differences. Categorical, functional, and social approaches to 

addressing disabilities will have major implications for addressing disparities. 

1. Develop capacity at the state level with state agencies responsible for achieving health 

equity for individuals with disabilities.

2. Adopt a social determinants approach to addressing health disparities. 

3. Integrate family and community issues into the intervention framework model. 

Problem Statement 4: Health Care Access and Quality 

There is ample evidence of the barriers to health care access and quality care, experienced by 

persons with disability. In general, interventions addressing disparities in health care and 

quality for persons with disabilities fall short of environmental and contextual factors, makes 

unrealistic assumptions about equity in structural accessibility, access to resources and cultural 

and linguistic sensitivity. This results in reduced participation among persons with disabilities, 

especially those with multiple chronic conditions. 

Some additional related examples: 

 Not having access to adaptive equipment (wheelchair, accessible technology devices) is 

a barrier. 

 Delaying medical care because of cost is a problem for people with disabilities- what are 

the policy/program interventions that could address this problem? 

 Barriers to health care access often manifest as a local problem (inaccessible clinics, 

health care provider attitudes, transportation, etc.) but there is little research on local 

approaches to resolving access problems. 

 Develop a cultural competency model for addressing health care 

 How do we measure the cost as a nation not to successfully care for people with 

disabilities? 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 40

Appendix D: Response to Public 

Comments 

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. 113–128) requires the 

Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) to develop a comprehensive governmentwide strategic plan. In a Federal Register Notice (Volume 81, No. 197, October 12, 2016) the 

Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Rehabilitation, and 

Independent Living Research (NIDILRR) invited the public and other federal agencies to 

comment on the ICDR Draft Government-wide Strategic Plan for FY 2017–2020. 

Participation and input from stakeholders have been important throughout the process of 

developing this initial strategic plan. This document highlights the main points from the nine 

comments received and describes any changes made to the plan resulting from those 

comments. It will be added as a supplement to the strategic plan for future ICDR reference. 

General Comments 

Comment: One comment highlighted a concern that the document did not highlight the critical 

importance of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research in enhancing the lives 

of people with injuries, illnesses, disabilities, and chronic conditions; the prevention of such 

conditions; and the transformative nature of the strategic plan itself, including clear reasons 

why statutorily required and other federal agencies should participate in and provide resources 

to support and coordinate the strategic plan. 

ICDR Response: The ICDR concurs with this observation and added more to the plan 

about the importance of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research and 

the important role of the ICDR and participating federal agencies in establishing 

research priorities with specific agency commitments of the time and resources 

required to advance disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research that 

maximizes the health, functioning, inclusion, employability, and quality of life for people 

with disabilities. 

Comment: One commenter observed that the government-wide strategic plan does not contain 

all the strategic plan components as specified in the WIOA statute. The commenter suggested 

that the ICDR characterize the document as a background paper prepared by a contractor to 

help guide the ICDR in the development of a strategic plan. The commenter was concerned that 

the disclaimer language on page 2 indicated that a contractor had prepared the report and that 

the views in the draft document did not represent the positions and policies of the ICDR. 

ICDR Response: This first strategic plan clearly states that it does not yet contain all the 

requirements for a comprehensive strategic plan as authorized by WIOA. The ICDR, 

charged with coordinating the development of the strategic plan, carefully considered 

the required components in the statute to develop measurable goals and objectives to 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 41

meet the full requirements. The draft plan, as written, contains essential foundational 

work that must be done before all mandated components can be accomplished. It also 

contains measurable goals and objectives to move forward with activities for the six 

working groups (Assistive Technology and Universal Design, Community Integration and 

Participation, Employment and Education, Health, Functioning, and Wellness, 

Government-wide Inventory, and Agency Research Data Call). This is not an ICDR work 

plan; it is a plan coordinated by the ICDR and executed by its statutory members. 

The plan is the result of considerable ICDR and working group deliberations that 

included extensive federal and stakeholder input. WIOA did not authorize funding to 

support ICDR activities. The federal effort of staff time by federal representatives who 

participate on the ICDR and/or its activities is contributed by participating agencies. 

NIDILRR contracts for the logistical and technical support required to carry out the work 

of the ICDR. The contractor assisted the ICDR during the strategic plan development 

process by supporting meetings, gathering input, collecting all comments, and preparing 

the government-wide strategic plan documents and supplements. The work of the 

contractor was informed by the ICDR, working group deliberations, and stakeholder 

input, under the direction of Kristi Hill, Deputy Director of NIDILRR, Executive Director 

and Designated Acting Chair of the ICDR. The disclaimer language, standard in many 

draft government documents, acknowledges that the document has not been vetted or 

approved by the ICDR member agencies. 

Comment: One commenter highlighted the distinction and interaction between scientific 

research, engineering development, and clinical development, and the transformation of the 

outputs from those three processes into outcomes and impacts such as market products and 

clinical interventions through related agency programs, or through extramural sponsorship of 

stakeholders. He suggested the need for definitions that reconcile outputs from research, with 

their subsequent role as inputs to the processes of engineering and clinical design, 

development, and delivery. The definitions section should incorporate the most recent 

definitions of both scientific research and engineering development to include the (NIDILRR 

developed) Stages of Research and the States of Development. This commenter noted the 

absence of a logic model, adding that the draft plan does not define clear goals to achieve 

transformations, which will result in a low positive impact for persons with disabilities and 

relevant stakeholder groups. 

ICDR Response: The ICDR agrees that it is important to consider goals and activities that 

clearly lead to positive impacts for persons with disabilities. The government-wide strategic 

plan has three broad goals: 

 Goal 1: Identify current and planned agency research activities related to the 

thematic framework areas of transitions, economics of disability, accessibility, and 

disparities. 

 Goal 2: Develop a government-wide inventory of disability, independent living, and 

rehabilitation research. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 42

 Goal 3: Promote ongoing stakeholder input on gaps and priorities for disability, 

independent living, and rehabilitation research. 

At this stage of the strategic planning process, the ICDR is concentrating on ways to 

encourage agency coordination and cooperation related to the four defined thematic areas. 

In deciding upon the thematic areas, the ICDR considered extensive stakeholder input to 

identify themes that were meaningful and likely to spur multiple agency interest and action. 

The ICDR envisioned a process that could stimulate sharing and leverage research 

knowledge in new and creative ways to identify research gaps and opportunities for 

coordination and collaboration among agencies traditionally focused on different topics. As 

the ICDR begins to implement the plan and engage in specific activities, it will continue to 

be intentional about how its activities and recommendations result in ultimate benefits for 

people with disabilities. 

One of the key activities in the plan is a data call to relevant agencies to understand the 

existing research and development portfolios and priorities. In doing so, we can begin to 

distinguish between these very different processes and make the necessary distinctions 

called for by the commenter. 

Comment: Commenters suggested that the report be more specific about which stakeholders 

should be consulted in drafting and carrying out the strategic plan. 

ICDR Response: From the beginning, ICDR designated acting chair, Kristi Hill, directed 

the process to be as inclusive and transparent as possible. The stakeholder groups are 

described throughout the strategic plan as the Congress defines them: policymakers, 

representatives from other federal agencies conducting relevant research, individuals 

with disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers and 

providers. The ICDR and working groups widely solicited participation and input into 

working group proposed priorities, as well as stakeholder response to the proposed 

priorities and objectives forwarded by the working groups. Throughout the process, the 

ICDR engaged representatives from 21 federal agencies, departments, and offices; 3 

independent government agencies/corporations; 37 universities and colleges; and 43 

other stakeholder organizations and businesses. The ICDR publicized the meetings 

through its email list and through press releases to many organizations from the 

stakeholder community. The ICDR will continue to welcome all interested parties in the 

development and implementation of future strategic plans and ICDR coordinated 

activities. 

Comment: One commenter questioned whether the ICDR should develop a strategic plan given 

the upcoming change in administration. 

ICDR Response: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the 

ICDR to coordinate the development of a government-wide strategic plan. This plan was 

developed to meet the Congressional mandate. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 43

Research Topics 

Comment: Several comments suggested additional research topics for the ICDR to consider. 

These suggestions included: 

 Patient-oriented, comparative effectiveness research for orthotics and prostheses 

devices in large scale, multi-site rigorously designed studies that include costeffectiveness outcomes in addition to clinical outcomes. 

 Orthotics and prosthetics research must be targeted to age-specific populations 

including pediatrics and the developing child; adult wage-earner and job focused 

accommodation, high-achieving active populations (sports involvement), and aging 

persons to maintain mobility; and independence later in life. 

 Research related to the measurement of rehabilitation-specific professional training 

program structures, process, and outcomes (i.e., professional competencies), and the 

use of such data to improve rehabilitation-specific professional training, and so to 

improve the functioning of persons experiencing disability. 

 Disparities in personalized health information, which contribute to disparities in 

precision medicine. 

 The value of specific education and training for qualified vocational rehabilitation 

counselors given recent changes to vocational rehabilitation counselor standards in 

WIOA. 

 The effect of electromagnetic radiation on people with implants, children, workers, and 

others with electromagnetic hypersensitivity 

 How to make public accommodation more accessible for people with electromagnetic 

hypersensitivity. 

 Early intervention for workers who are “on the road to” labor force exit and/or receiving 

public benefits because of a medical problem. 

 How low reimbursement rates create barriers to access to care, resulting in health 

disparities. 

 Potential interventions among various disability and health programs. This would be a 

multi-agency approach of the ICDR and lends itself to produce evidence and identify 

new metrics for assessing to possible interrelated effects of various programs that serve 

the same populations including: 

o The possible effect on Medicare program costs and individual health outcomes 

of the 24-month SSDI waiting period for Medicare eligibility. 

o The potential interaction between a state’s eligibility rules for Medicaid home 

and community-based waiver programs and SSI spending for nursing facility 

residents in that state. 

A general comment suggested that translational research and impact should be infused 

throughout the document, particularly for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. 

ICDR Response: The draft plan noted the broad scope of disability, independent living, and 

rehabilitation research. The ICDR and working groups considered over 200 suggestions for 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 44

potential areas of research from stakeholders to narrow the scope of the plan to 

measurable and achievable goals and objectives. In doing so they considered the following 

factors: 

 Focuses on the interagency nature of the ICDR. 

 Has the potential to develop common ground among agencies. 

 Capitalizes on existing capabilities. 

 Leverages resources. 

 Benefits multiple partners and stakeholders. 

 Priority for the disability community. 

 Presents an opportunity to advance in an area. 

 Considers gaps in knowledge and obstacles to overcome in order to make progress. 

The added suggestions for research will be helpful as the ICDR collects information from 

federal agencies related to their current and planned agency research activities along the 

thematic framework areas (transition, economics of disability, accessibility, and disparities) 

and secures commitments for coordination and collaboration in those thematic areas. In 

doing so the ICDR will be able to access all the suggested research areas in one document as 

it considers research gaps and priorities in the future. 

Strategic Goals and Objectives 

Comment: A few commenters made suggestions for the ICDR to consider while implementing 

the strategic plan. These suggestions are outlined below: 

 Cross-Cutting Theme: Transitions. Transitions for individuals (particularly youth) involve 

multiple service transitions, rather than transitions involving a single set of services or 

outcomes. The commenter suggested that the ICDR explore replacing current supports 

for SSI recipients 18 to 30 years old who choose to pursue attainment of a substantial 

career by age 40 with an integrated service package that invests in their ongoing career 

attainment efforts. Examples of these projects include Career ACCESS, Project Search, 

Bridges to Work, and Pathways to Work. 

 Cross-Cutting Theme: Economics of Disability. The ICDR should provide orthotics and 

prosthetics economic research funding to assist in providing accurate and objective 

information that policy decision-makers can consider when conducting important costvalue determinations that many times directly influence patient access and benefits 

 Goal 1, Objective 1: Identify current and planned agency research activities related to 

thematic framework area. Consider clearly defining “development projects.” It is not 

clear if this includes engineering development, standards/guidelines development, 

and/or clinical intervention development. There should be a logic model illustrating how 

research outputs become beneficial impacts. 

 Goal 1, Objective 2: Secure agency commitments for coordination and collaboration in 

selected thematic areas. It is important that agencies enter into formal agreements 

such as MOUs. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 45

 Goal 1, Objective 3: Promote and establish a repository of research materials and best 

practices for accessible and usable health information technology (IT). The repository 

should also include wellness. 

 Goal 1, Objective 4: Develop a focused research plan for Centers for Independent 

Living (CILs) services to understand their value to the disability community. CIL 

services should be evidence-based/informed. Information on the outcomes of their 

services must be made widely available to people with disabilities and their families.

 Goal 1, Objective 6: Create a Youth Transition Research Academy to analyze and 

advance quality research methodologies to improve the transition-related evidence 

base. It will be important to collaborate with family-led organizations such as parent 

centers and Family to Family organizations as they assist parents of youth and young 

adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs through the transition process. 

 Goal 1, Objective 7: Convene key stakeholders to develop infusion and inclusion 

strategies to include persons with disabilities as a target audience among federal 

agencies conducting health and wellness programs and research initiatives. The ICDR 

should collaborate with the National Association of County and City Health Officials 

(NACCHO) and their committee/toolkit on public health and people with disabilities. 

Additional key stakeholders include Family Voices/Family-to-Family Health Information 

Centers (FV/F2FHICS). 

 Goal 3. Objective 1: Assess agency need for disability stakeholder input. Stakeholders 

should include parent centers, FV/F2FHIIC, NACCHO, and self-advocates. Another 

commenter recommended that the ICDR should explicitly include manufacturers, 

designers, suppliers, value-added retailers, clinicians, consultants, information brokers, 

employers, educators, attorneys, and reimbursement officials involved in the provision 

of AT/UD devices and services. 

ICDR Response: Once the draft plan is approved, the working groups will begin 

implementing the plan. This input from the individuals and organizations that commented 

on the plan, along with their ideas for areas of research, will be available as a supplement to 

the strategic plan. 
ICDR 2016 Annual Report 46

Point of Contact 

For further information regarding this report, or to report any errors or omissions, please 

contact: 

Kristi W. Hill, PhD 

Executive Director, Interagency Committee on Disability Research 

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research 

Administration for Community Living 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

330 C Street SW, Room 1304 

Washington, DC 20201 

Email: ICDRinfo@neweditions.net