35758 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

the bridge may remain closed for two 

and one half hours. 

DATES: This deviation is effective 

between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on June 

15, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: The docket for this 

deviation, [USCG–2013–0395] is 

available at http://www.regulations.gov. 

Type the docket number in the 

‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ 

Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 

associated with this deviation. You may 

also visit the Docket Management 

Facility in Room W12–140, on the 

ground floor of the Department of 

Transportation West Building, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If 

you have questions on this temporary 

deviation, call or email Ms. Judy LeungYee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard 

District, judy.k.leung-yee@uscg.mil, or 

(212) 668–7165. If you have questions 

on viewing the docket, call Barbara 

Hairston, Program Manager, Docket 

Operations, telephone 202–366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Route 

82 Bridge has a vertical clearance of 22 

feet at mean high water and 25 feet at 

mean low water in the closed position. 

The existing drawbridge operating 

regulations are found at 33 CFR 

117.205(c). 

The bridge owner, Connecticut 

Department of Transportation, requested 

a two and a half hour closure to 

facilitate public safety during a public 

event, the 100th Anniversary Parade at 

the bridge. 

Under this temporary deviation the 

bridge may remain in the closed 

position between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 

on June 15, 2013. Vessels that can pass 

under the bridge without a bridge 

opening may do so at all times. 

The Connecticut River supports both 

commercial and recreational navigation 

of various sizes. 

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), 

the bridge must return to its regular 

operating schedule immediately at the 

end of the designated deviation period. 

This deviation from the operating 

regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 

117.35. 

Dated: June 4, 2013. 

Gary Kassof, 

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard 

District. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14123 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

33 CFR Part 117 

[Docket No. USCG–2013–0412] 

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; 

Bishop Cut, Near Stockton, CA 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Notice of deviation from 

drawbridge regulation. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a 

temporary deviation from the operating 

regulation that governs the San Joaquin 

County Highway Bridge across Bishop 

Cut, mile 1.0, near Stockton, CA. The 

deviation is to allow San Joaquin 

County Public Works Department to 

perform structural maintenance work to 

the bridge. This deviation allows the 

bridge to remain in the closed-tonavigation position during the repairs. 

DATES: This deviation is effective from 

12:01 a.m. on September 30, 2013 to 

11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2013. 

ADDRESES: The docket for this deviation, 

[USCG–2013–0412], is available at 

http://www.regulations.gov. Type the 

docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box 

and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open 

Docket Folder on the line associated 

with this deviation. You may also visit 

the Docket Management Facility in 

Room W12–140 on the ground floor of 

the Department of Transportation West 

Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If 

you have questions on this rule, call or 

email David H. Sulouff, Chief, Bridge 

Section, Eleventh Coast Guard District; 

telephone 510–437–3516, email 

David.H.Sulouff@uscg.mil If you have 

questions on viewing the docket, call 

Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, 

Docket Operations, telephone 202–366– 

9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: San 

Joaquin County Department of Public 

Works has requested a temporary 

change to the operation of the San 

Joaquin County Highway Bridge, mile 

1.0, over Bishop Cut, near Stockton, CA. 

The drawbridge navigation span 

provides a vertical clearance of 

approximately 6 feet above Mean High 

Water in the closed-to-navigation 

position. In accordance with 33 CFR 

117.143, the draw opens on signal if at 

least 12 hours notice is given to the San 

Joaquin County Department of Public 

Works at Stockton. Navigation on the 

waterway is commercial and 

recreational. 

The drawspan will be secured in the 

closed-to-navigation position from 12:01 

a.m. on September 30, 2013 to 11:59 

p.m. on October 31, 2013, due to 

structural maintenance work in 

replacing the approach deck slabs. The 

work will require loss of power to the 

bridge electrical systems. 

This temporary deviation has been 

coordinated with commercial operators 

and various marinas. No objections to 

the proposed temporary deviation were 

raised. Vessels that can transit the 

bridge, while in the closed-to-navigation 

position, may continue to do so at any 

time. 

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), 

the drawbridge must return to its regular 

operating schedule immediately at the 

end of the designated time period. This 

deviation from the operating regulations 

is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. 

Dated: May 24, 2013. 

D.H. Sulouff, 

District Bridge Chief, Eleventh Coast Guard 

District. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14122 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

34 CFR Chapter III 

[CFDA Number: 84.133B–1] 

Final Priority; National Institute on 

Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research—Rehabilitation Research 

and Training Centers 

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services, Department of 

Education. 

ACTION: Final priority. 

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for 

Special Education and Rehabilitative 

Services announces a priority for the 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

Projects and Centers Program 

administered by the National Institute 

on Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research (NIDRR). Specifically, we 

announce a priority for a Rehabilitation 

Research and Training Center (RRTC) on 

Research and Capacity Building for 

Minority Entities. The Assistant 

Secretary may use this priority for 

competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2013 

and later years. We take this action to 

focus research attention on areas of 

national need. We intend this priority to 

improve outcomes among individuals 

with disabilities. 

DATES: Effective Date: This priority is 

effective July 15, 2013. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 35759 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of 

Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 

Room 5133, Potomac Center Plaza 

(PCP), Washington, DC 20202–2700. 

Telephone: (202) 245–7532 or by email: 

marlene.spencer@ed.gov. 

If you use a telecommunications 

device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 

telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay 

Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 

8339. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose of Program: The purpose of 

the Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research Projects and Centers Program 

is to plan and conduct research, 

demonstration projects, training, and 

related activities, including 

international activities, to develop 

methods, procedures, and rehabilitation 

technology that maximize the full 

inclusion and integration into society, 

employment, independent living, family 

support, and economic and social selfsufficiency of individuals with 

disabilities, especially individuals with 

the most severe disabilities, and to 

improve the effectiveness of services 

authorized under the Rehabilitation Act 

of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation 

Act). 

Rehabilitation Research and Training 

Centers 

The purpose of the RRTCs, which are 

funded through the Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research Projects and 

Centers Program, is to improve the 

effectiveness of services authorized 

under the Rehabilitation Act through 

advanced research, training, technical 

assistance, and dissemination activities 

in general problem areas, as specified by 

NIDRR. Such activities are designed to 

benefit rehabilitation service providers, 

individuals with disabilities, and the 

family members or other authorized 

representatives of individuals with 

disabilities. Additional information on 

the RRTC program can be found at: 

www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/resprogram.html#RRTC. 

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

764(b)(2). 

Applicable Program Regulations: 34 

CFR part 350. 

We published a notice of proposed 

priority in the Federal Register on 

March 6, 2013 (78 FR 14480). That 

notice contained background 

information and our reasons for 

proposing this priority. 

There is one difference between the 

proposed priority and this final priority. 

We have updated the reference to 

NIDRR’s current Long-Range Plan in 

paragraph (a). NIDRR’s Long-Range Plan 

for Fiscal Years 2013–2017 (Plan) was 

published in the Federal Register on 

April 4, 2013 (78 FR 20299) during the 

public comment period for this priority. 

Public Comment: In response to our 

invitation in the notice of proposed 

priority, three parties submitted 

comments on the proposed priority. 

Generally, we do not address 

technical and other minor changes or 

suggested changes the law does not 

authorize us to make under the 

applicable statutory authority. In 

addition, generally we do not address 

comments that raise concerns not 

directly related to the proposed priority 

or definitions. 

Analysis of Comments and Changes: 

An analysis of the comments and of any 

changes in the priority since publication 

of the proposed priority follows. 

Comment: One commenter asked 

whether the RRTC must focus its 

activities on the Federal-State 

vocational rehabilitation (VR) program 

and its mission of assisting individuals 

with disabilities to become employed. 

Discussion: Although applicants may 

choose to focus their research activities 

on topics related to the Federal-State VR 

program, they are not required to do so. 

Changes: None. 

Comment: One commenter asked 

whether military veterans of color with 

disabilities would be a valid target 

population of ‘‘traditionally 

underserved racial and ethnic 

populations,’’ as described in paragraph 

(a) of the priority. 

Discussion: Yes. ‘‘Traditionally 

Underserved Populations’’ is used in 

Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act to 

refer to minority populations who have 

historically had high rates of disability, 

low rates of access to rehabilitation 

services, and relatively poor outcomes, 

compared to white individuals with 

disabilities. Applicants are free to 

propose and justify a focus on veterans 

of color with disabilities or any other 

underserved population. The peer 

review process will determine the 

merits of each application. 

Changes: None. 

Comment: One commenter noted that 

conducting research on the experiences 

and outcomes of individuals with 

disabilities from traditionally 

underserved racial and ethnic 

populations, as required by paragraph 

(a) of the priority, necessitates the 

availability and involvement of research 

personnel with appropriate cultural and 

linguistic capabilities. 

Discussion: NIDRR generally agrees 

that the personnel proposed to conduct 

required RRTC activities must have the 

appropriate backgrounds and expertise. 

NIDRR does not typically specify or 

require those areas of expertise in its 

priorities. Instead, we rely on the peer 

review process to determine the quality 

of the proposed personnel’s training, 

experience, and knowledge in the areas 

specified in the priority. These 

personnel considerations are spelled out 

in the peer review criteria for project 

staff that we employ in all NIDRR 

competitions (34 CFR 350.54(n)). 

Changes: None. 

Comment: One commenter suggested 

that the priority include cultural 

competence in the Center’s required 

capacity building efforts. 

Discussion: As we described in the 

background to the proposed priority (78 

FR 14480), NIDRR anticipates that the 

minority entities that are the recipients 

of the RRTC’s capacity building efforts 

will already have close social and 

cultural connections to individuals with 

disabilities from minority backgrounds. 

Building the capacity of minority 

entities to conduct disability and 

rehabilitation research may include a 

focus on cultural competence. However, 

there is a wide range of other disability 

and rehabilitation research capacities to 

be built at minority entities and on 

which applicants may choose to focus— 

developing a robust research 

infrastructure, including administrative 

and technological support, research 

libraries, and research-focused graduate 

and postdoctoral research training 

programs, for example. While nothing in 

the priority precludes applicants from 

including cultural competence as a 

component of their capacity building 

efforts, NIDRR does not wish to limit the 

range of applications that we receive by 

requiring all applicants to do so. 

Changes: None. 

Comment: One commenter questioned 

the need for this priority. 

Discussion: By publishing this 

priority and creating an RRTC on 

Research and Capacity Building for 

Minority Entities, we are fulfilling the 

intent and the requirements of Section 

21 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Changes: None. 

Final Priority 

Background 

This final priority is in concert with 

NIDRR’s Plan, which can be accessed on 

the Internet at the following site: 

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/ 

nidrr/policy.html. 

Through the implementation of the 

Plan, NIDRR seeks to improve the health 

and functioning, employment, and 

community living and participation of 

individuals with disabilities through 

comprehensive programs of research, 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

35760 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

engineering, training, technical 

assistance, and knowledge translation 

and dissemination. The Plan reflects 

NIDRR’s commitment to quality, 

relevance, and balance in its programs 

to ensure appropriate attention to all 

aspects of well-being of individuals 

with disabilities and to all types and 

degrees of disability, including lowincidence and severe disabilities. 

Priority—RRTC on Research and 

Capacity Building for Minority Entities 

The Assistant Secretary for Special 

Education and Rehabilitative Services 

establishes a priority for a Rehabilitation 

Research and Training Center (RRTC) on 

Research and Capacity Building for 

Minority Entities. One purpose of the 

RRTC is to generate new knowledge 

about the experiences and outcomes of 

individuals with disabilities from racial 

and ethnic minority backgrounds that 

can be used as a foundation for 

developing interventions to improve 

those outcomes. Another purpose of the 

RRTC is to enhance rehabilitation 

research capacity at minority entities, as 

defined in section 21 of the 

Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 718). The 

RRTC must contribute to these 

outcomes by: 

(a) Conducting research that examines 

experiences and outcomes of 

individuals with disabilities from 

traditionally underserved racial and 

ethnic populations. Applicants must 

focus their research activities on topics 

that fall under at least one of the 

following major life domains identified 

in NIDRR’s Long-Range Plan for Fiscal 

Years 2013–2017 (78 FR 20299): (1) 

Employment, (2) Community Living and 

Participation, or (3) Health and 

Function. 

(b) Conducting research on the 

feasibility and potential effectiveness of 

methods and models for enhancing 

disability and rehabilitation research 

capacity and infrastructure at minority 

entities. 

(c) Serving as a national resource 

center for minority entities that are 

seeking to develop their research 

infrastructure, and to enhance their 

capacity to engage in disability and 

rehabilitation research. The RRTC must 

provide technical assistance and 

training to minority entities in order to 

develop their institutional research 

infrastructure and enhance their 

capacity to conduct disability and 

rehabilitation research. 

(d) Involving individuals with 

disabilities from traditionally 

underserved racial and ethnic 

populations in planning and 

implementing the RRTC’s activities and 

evaluating its work. 

(e) Providing outreach and training 

that enhances awareness of NIDRR and 

its research programs among minority 

entities. 

(f) Developing and implementing a 

strategy for disseminating research, 

training, and technical assistance 

products developed by the RRTC. The 

RRTC’s dissemination strategy must 

include an online information 

dissemination system that meets a 

government- or industry-recognized 

standard for accessibility by individuals 

with disabilities. 

Types of Priorities 

When inviting applications for a 

competition using one or more 

priorities, we designate the type of each 

priority as absolute, competitive 

preference, or invitational through a 

notice in the Federal Register. The 

effect of each type of priority follows: 

Absolute priority: Under an absolute 

priority, we consider only applications 

that meet the priority (34 CFR 

75.105(c)(3)). 

Competitive preference priority: 

Under a competitive preference priority, 

we give competitive preference to an 

application by (1) awarding additional 

points, depending on the extent to 

which the application meets the priority 

(34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting 

an application that meets the priority 

over an application of comparable merit 

that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 

75.105(c)(2)(ii)). 

Invitational priority: Under an 

invitational priority, we are particularly 

interested in applications that meet the 

priority. However, we do not give an 

application that meets the priority a 

preference over other applications (34 

CFR 75.105(c)(1)). 

This notice does not preclude us from 

proposing additional priorities, 

requirements, definitions, or selection 

criteria, subject to meeting applicable 

rulemaking requirements. 

Note: This notice does not solicit 

applications. In any year in which we choose 

to use this priority, we invite applications 

through a notice in the Federal Register. 

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 

Regulatory Impact Analysis 

Under Executive Order 12866, the 

Secretary must determine whether this 

regulatory action is ‘‘significant’’ and, 

therefore, subject to the requirements of 

the Executive order and subject to 

review by the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive 

Order 12866 defines a ‘‘significant 

regulatory action’’ as an action likely to 

result in a rule that may— 

(1) Have an annual effect on the 

economy of $100 million or more, or 

adversely affect a sector of the economy, 

productivity, competition, jobs, the 

environment, public health or safety, or 

State, local, or tribal governments or 

communities in a material way (also 

referred to as an ‘‘economically 

significant’’ rule); 

(2) Create serious inconsistency or 

otherwise interfere with an action taken 

or planned by another agency; 

(3) Materially alter the budgetary 

impacts of entitlement grants, user fees, 

or loan programs or the rights and 

obligations of recipients thereof; or 

(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues 

arising out of legal mandates, the 

President’s priorities, or the principles 

stated in the Executive order. 

This final regulatory action is not a 

significant regulatory action subject to 

review by OMB under section 3(f) of 

Executive Order 12866. 

We have also reviewed this final 

regulatory action under Executive Order 

13563, which supplements and 

explicitly reaffirms the principles, 

structures, and definitions governing 

regulatory review established in 

Executive Order 12866. To the extent 

permitted by law, Executive Order 

13563 requires that an agency— 

(1) Propose or adopt regulations only 

upon a reasoned determination that 

their benefits justify their costs 

(recognizing that some benefits and 

costs are difficult to quantify); 

(2) Tailor its regulations to impose the 

least burden on society, consistent with 

obtaining regulatory objectives and 

taking into account—among other things 

and to the extent practicable—the costs 

of cumulative regulations; 

(3) In choosing among alternative 

regulatory approaches, select those 

approaches that maximize net benefits 

(including potential economic, 

environmental, public health and safety, 

and other advantages; distributive 

impacts; and equity); 

(4) To the extent feasible, specify 

performance objectives, rather than the 

behavior or manner of compliance a 

regulated entity must adopt; and 

(5) Identify and assess available 

alternatives to direct regulation, 

including economic incentives—such as 

user fees or marketable permits—to 

encourage the desired behavior, or 

provide information that enables the 

public to make choices. 

Executive Order 13563 also requires 

an agency ‘‘to use the best available 

techniques to quantify anticipated 

present and future benefits and costs as 

accurately as possible.’’ The Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs of 

OMB has emphasized that these 

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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 35761 

techniques may include ‘‘identifying 

changing future compliance costs that 

might result from technological 

innovation or anticipated behavioral 

changes.’’ 

We are issuing this final priority only 

on a reasoned determination that its 

benefits justify its costs. In choosing 

among alternative regulatory 

approaches, we selected those 

approaches that maximize net benefits. 

Based on the analysis that follows, the 

Department believes that this regulatory 

action is consistent with the principles 

in Executive Order 13563. 

We also have determined that this 

regulatory action does not unduly 

interfere with State, local, and tribal 

governments in the exercise of their 

governmental functions. 

In accordance with both Executive 

orders, the Department has assessed the 

potential costs and benefits, both 

quantitative and qualitative, of this 

regulatory action. The potential costs 

are those resulting from statutory 

requirements and those we have 

determined as necessary for 

administering the Department’s 

programs and activities. 

The benefits of the Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research Projects and 

Centers Program have been well 

established over the years. Projects 

similar to the new RRTC have been 

completed successfully, and the new 

RRTC, established consistently with this 

final priority, is expected to improve the 

lives of individuals with disabilities 

from minority backgrounds; generate 

through research and development, 

disseminate, and promote the use of 

new information that will improve the 

outcomes for individuals with 

disabilities; and increase the capacity of 

minority entities to conduct disability 

and rehabilitation research and develop 

rehabilitation research professionals. 

Accessible Format: Individuals with 

disabilities can obtain this document in 

an accessible format (e.g., braille, large 

print, audiotape, or compact disc) on 

request to the program contact person 

listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT. 

Electronic Access to This Document: 

The official version of this document is 

the document published in the Federal 

Register. Free Internet access to the 

official edition of the Federal Register 

and the Code of Federal Regulations is 

available via the Federal Digital System 

at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you 

can view this document, as well as all 

other documents of this Department 

published in the Federal Register, in 

text or Adobe Portable Document 

Format (PDF). To use PDF you must 

have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is 

available free at the site. 

You may also access documents of the 

Department published in the Federal 

Register by using the article search 

feature at: www.federalregister.gov. 

Specifically, through the advanced 

search feature at this site, you can limit 

your search to documents published by 

the Department. 

Dated: June 11, 2013. 

Michael K. Yudin, 

Delegated the authority to perform the 

functions and the duties of the Assistant 

Secretary for Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14227 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

34 CFR Chapter III 

Final Priority; National Institute on 

Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research—Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research Projects and 

Centers Program—Rehabilitation 

Engineering Research Centers 

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services, Department of 

Education. 

ACTION: Final priority. 

[CFDA Number: 84.133E–4.] 

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for 

Special Education and Rehabilitative 

Services announces a priority for a 

Rehabilitation Engineering Research 

Center (RERC) on Universal Interfaces 

and Information Technology Access 

under the Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research Projects and Centers Program 

administered by the National Institute 

on Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research (NIDRR). The Assistant 

Secretary may use this priority for a 

competition in fiscal year (FY) 2013 and 

later years. We take this action to focus 

research attention on areas of national 

need. We intend to use this priority to 

improve outcomes for individuals with 

disabilities. 

DATES: Effective Date: This priority is 

effective July 15, 2013. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of 

Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 

room 5133, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), 

Washington, DC 20202–2700. 

Telephone: (202) 245–7532 or by email: 

marlene.spencer@ed.gov. 

If you use a telecommunications 

device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 

telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay 

Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 

8339. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

notice of final priority is in concert with 

NIDRR’s Long-Range Plan (Plan) for 

Fiscal Years 2013–2017. The Plan, 

which was published in the Federal 

Register on April 4, 2013 (78 FR 20299), 

can be accessed on the Internet at the 

following site: www.ed.gov/about/ 

offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html. 

Through the implementation of the 

Plan, NIDRR seeks to improve the health 

and functioning, employment, and 

community living and participation of 

individuals with disabilities through 

comprehensive programs of research, 

engineering, training, technical 

assistance, and knowledge translation 

and dissemination. The Plan reflects 

NIDRR’s commitment to quality, 

relevance, and balance in its programs 

to ensure appropriate attention to all 

aspects of well-being of individuals 

with disabilities and to all types and 

degrees of disability, including lowincidence and severe disabilities. 

Purpose of Program: The purpose of 

the Disability and Rehabilitation 

Research Projects and Centers Program 

is to plan and conduct research, 

demonstration projects, training, and 

related activities, including 

international activities, to develop 

methods, procedures, and rehabilitation 

technology that maximize the full 

inclusion and integration into society, 

employment, independent living, family 

support, and economic and social selfsufficiency of individuals with 

disabilities, especially individuals with 

the most severe disabilities; and to 

improve the effectiveness of services 

authorized under the Rehabilitation Act 

of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation 

Act). 

Rehabilitation Engineering Research 

Centers Program 

The purpose of NIDRR’s RERCs 

program, which is funded through the 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

Projects and Centers Program, is to 

improve the effectiveness of services 

authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. 

It does so by conducting advanced 

engineering research, developing and 

evaluating innovative technologies, 

facilitating service delivery system 

changes, stimulating the production and 

distribution of new technologies and 

equipment in the private sector, and 

providing training opportunities. RERCs 

seek to solve rehabilitation problems 

and remove environmental barriers to 

improvements in employment, 

community living and participation, 

and health and function outcomes of 

individuals with disabilities. 

The general requirements for RERCs 

are set out in subpart D of 34 CFR part 

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