Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2015-title29/html/USCODE-2015-title29-chap16-subchapII-sec764.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 08:11:16+00:00

Document:
(1) To the extent consistent with priorities established in the 5-year plan described in section 762(h) of this title, the Director may make grants to and contracts with States and public or private agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations, to fund part of the cost of projects for the purpose of planning and conducting research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, the purposes of which are to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology, that have practical applications and maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, education, independent living, health and wellness, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most significant disabilities, and improve the effectiveness of services authorized under this chapter.
(2)(A) In carrying out this section, the Director shall emphasize projects that support the implementation of subchapters I, III, V, VI, and VII, including projects addressing the needs described in the State plans submitted under section 721 or 796c of this title by State agencies and from which the research findings, conclusions, or recommendations can be transferred to practice.
(viii) studies, analyses, and other activities affecting employment outcomes as defined in section 705(11) of this title, including self-employment and telecommuting, of individuals with disabilities.
(B) the commercialization of marketable products, research results, or findings, resulting from the covered activities.
(1) In addition to carrying out projects under subsection (a), the Director may make grants under this subsection (referred to in this subsection as "research grants") to pay part or all of the cost of the research or other specialized covered activities described in paragraphs (2) through (17).1 A research grant made under any of paragraphs (2) through (17) 1 may only be used in a manner consistent with priorities established in the 5-year plan described in section 762(h) of this title.
(ii) serve as centers of national excellence and national or regional resources for individuals with disabilities, as well as providers, educators, and researchers.
(vi) developing practical applications for the research findings of the Centers.
(vi) research, dissemination, and technical assistance, on best practices in vocational rehabilitation, including supported employment and other strategies to promote competitive integrated employment for persons with the most significant disabilities.
(D) Training of students preparing to be independent living or rehabilitation personnel or to provide independent living, rehabilitative, assistive, or supportive services (such as rehabilitation counseling, personal care services, direct care, job coaching, aides in school based settings, or advice or assistance in utilizing assistive technology devices, assistive technology services, and accessible electronic and information technology devices and services) shall be an important priority for each such Center.
(E) The Director shall make grants under this paragraph to establish and support both centers dealing with multiple disabilities and centers primarily focused on particular disabilities.
(F) Grants made under this paragraph may be used to provide funds for services rendered by such a Center to individuals with disabilities in connection with the research and training activities.
(ii) other courses offered by the Centers, either directly or through another entity.
(H) The research and training activities conducted by such a Center shall be conducted in a manner that is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
(I) In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Director shall take into consideration the location of any proposed Center and the appropriate geographic and regional allocation of such Centers.
(ii) demonstrate the ability to carry out the training activities either directly or through another entity that can provide such training.
(ii) the grant supports new or innovative research.
(L) Grants made under this paragraph shall be made on a competitive basis. To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, a prospective grant recipient shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
(M) In conducting scientific peer review under section 762(f) of this title of an application for the renewal of a grant made under this paragraph, the peer review panel shall take into account the past performance of the applicant in carrying out the grant and input from individuals with disabilities and the individuals&apos; representatives.
(N) An institution or provider that receives a grant under this paragraph to establish such a Center may not collect more than 15 percent of the amount of the grant received by the Center in indirect cost charges.
(3)(A) Research grants may be used for the establishment and support of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers, operated by or in collaboration with institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations, to conduct research or demonstration activities, and training activities, regarding independent living strategies and rehabilitation technology, including rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, for the purposes of enhancing opportunities for better meeting the needs of, and addressing the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities in all aspects of their lives.
(II) other scientific research to assist in meeting the educational, employment, and independent living needs of, and addressing the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities, including individuals with significant disabilities.
(iii) respond, through research or demonstration activities, to the needs of individuals with all types of disabilities who may benefit from the application of technology within the area of focus of the Center.
(I) Early childhood services, including early intervention and family support.
(II) Education at the elementary and secondary levels, including transition from school to postsecondary education, competitive integrated employment, and other age-appropriate activities.
(III) Employment, including supported employment, and reasonable accommodations and the reduction of environmental barriers as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and subchapter V.
(IV) Independent living, including transition from institutional to community living, maintenance of community living on leaving the workforce, self-help skills, and activities of daily living.
(ii) Each Center conducting the research or demonstration activities described in subparagraph (B)(iii) shall have an advisory committee, of which the majority of members are individuals with disabilities who are users of rehabilitation technology, and the individuals&apos; representatives.
(F) To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, a prospective grant recipient shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
(ii) prepare and submit to the Director as part of an application for continuation of a grant, or as a final report, a report that documents the outcomes of the program of the Center in terms of both short- and long-term impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities, the impact of any commercialized product researched or developed through the Center, and such other information as may be requested by the Director.
(iii) establish and maintain close working relationships with other governmental and voluntary institutions and organizations engaged in similar efforts in order to unify and coordinate scientific efforts, encourage joint planning, and promote the interchange of data and reports among spinal cord injury investigations.
(iv) demonstrate and evaluate methods of community outreach for individuals with spinal cord injuries and community education in connection with the problems of such individuals in areas such as housing, transportation, recreation, employment, education, health and wellness, and community activities.
(C) In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Director shall take into account the location of any proposed Spinal Cord Injury Center and the appropriate geographic and regional allocation of such Centers.
in order to unify and coordinate scientific efforts, encourage joint planning, and promote the interchange of data and reports among investigators in the field of end-stage renal disease. No person shall be selected to participate in such program who is eligible for services for such disease under any other provision of law.
(6) Research grants may be used to conduct a program for international rehabilitation research, demonstration, and training for the purpose of developing new knowledge and methods in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities in the United States, cooperating with and assisting in developing and sharing information found useful in other nations in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, and initiating a program to exchange experts and technical assistance in the field of rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities with other nations as a means of increasing the levels of skill of rehabilitation personnel.
(7) Research grants may be used to conduct a research program concerning the use of existing telecommunications systems (including telephone, television, satellite, radio, and other similar systems) which have the potential for substantially improving service delivery methods, and the development of appropriate programming to meet the particular needs of individuals with disabilities.
(8) Grants may be used to conduct a program of joint projects with other administrations and offices of the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Labor, other Federal agencies, and private industry in areas of joint interest involving rehabilitation.
(9) Research grants may be used to conduct a research program to develop and demonstrate innovative methods to attract and retain professionals to serve in rural areas in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, including individuals with significant disabilities.
(C) appropriate services for the parents of such children, including psychological and psychiatric services, parent counseling, and training.
(L) develop new approaches for long-term services and supports for individuals with disabilities, including supports necessary for competitive integrated employment.
(E) be responsive to special initiatives of the Director.
No single grant under this paragraph may exceed $50,000 in any fiscal year and all payments made under this paragraph in any fiscal year may not exceed 5 percent of the amount available for this section to the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research in any fiscal year. Regulations and administrative procedures with respect to financial assistance under this paragraph shall, to the maximum extent possible, be expedited.
(13) Research grants may be used to conduct studies of the independent living and rehabilitation needs of American Indian populations and of effective mechanisms for the delivery of rehabilitation services to Indians residing on and off reservations.
(14) Research grants may be used to conduct a demonstration program under which one or more projects national in scope shall be established to develop procedures to provide incentives for the development, manufacturing, and marketing of orphan technological devices, including technology transfer concerning such devices, designed to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve independence, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency.
(15)(A) Research grants may be used to conduct a research program related to quality assurance in the area of rehabilitation technology.
(iv) development and testing of research-based tools to enhance consumer decisionmaking about rehabilitation technology products and services.
(D) determine the effectiveness of specific alternative or complementary medical practices that show promise for promoting increased functioning, prevention of secondary disabilities, or other positive outcomes for individuals with certain types of disabilities, by conducting controlled research studies.
(1) In carrying out evaluations of covered activities under this section, the Director is authorized to make arrangements for site visits to obtain information on the accomplishments of the projects.
(2) The Director shall not make a grant under this section that exceeds $500,000 unless the peer review of the grant application has included a site visit.
(1) In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subchapter, the Director shall award the funding on a competitive basis.
(2)(A) To be eligible to receive funds under this section for a covered activity, an entity described in subsection (a)(1) shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
(iii) how the applicant will quantifiably measure the goals to determine whether such goals have been accomplished.
(3)(A) In the case of an application for funding under this section to carry out a covered activity that results in the development of a marketable product, the application shall also include a commercialization and dissemination plan, as appropriate, containing commercialization and marketing strategies for the product involved, and strategies for disseminating information about the product. The funding received under this section shall not be used to carry out the commercialization and marketing strategies.
(B) In the case of any other application for funding to carry out a covered activity under this section, the application shall also include a dissemination plan, containing strategies for disseminating educational materials, research results, or findings, conclusions, and recommendations, resulting from the covered activity.
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i), (G)(i), is Pub. L. 105–394, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3627, which is classified principally to chapter 31 (§3001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3001 of this title and Tables.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(D)(i)(III), is Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 126 (§12101 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12101 of Title 42 and Tables.
Provisions similar to this section were contained in section 762 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–220.
A prior section 764, Pub. L. 93–112, title II, §204, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 376, provided that a full report on research and training activities be included in annual report to Congress, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 95–602, title I, §109(3), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2963.
2014—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(A), substituted "fund" for "pay" and "employment, education, independent living, health and wellness," for "employment, independent living," and inserted "have practical applications and" before "maximize".
Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(i), inserted "and from which the research findings, conclusions, or recommendations can be transferred to practice" after "State agencies".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(ii)(I), added cl. (ii) and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: "studies and analysis of industrial, vocational, social, recreational, psychiatric, psychological, economic, and other factors affecting rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities;".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(ii)(II), substituted "have significant challenges engaging in community life outside their homes and individuals who are in institutional settings;" for "are homebound and individuals who are institutionalized;".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(ii)(III), inserted ", including the principles of universal design and the interoperability of products and services" after "disabilities".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(v). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(ii)(IV), inserted ", and to promoting employment opportunities in competitive integrated employment" after "employment".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(vii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(ii)(VI), substituted ", assistive technology, and communications technology; and" for "and assistive technology."
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(viii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(B)(ii)(V), (VII), added cl. (viii).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(1)(C), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(A), substituted "(17)" for "(18)" in two places.
"(ii) serve as centers of national excellence and national or regional resources for providers and individuals with disabilities and the individuals&apos; representatives."
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(I), inserted "independent living and" after "research in" and after "will improve" and substituted "maximize health and function (including alleviating or stabilizing conditions, or preventing secondary conditions), and promote maximum social and economic independence of individuals with disabilities, including promoting the ability of the individuals to prepare for, secure, retain, regain, or advance in employment;" for "alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, and promote maximum social and economic independence of individuals with disabilities, especially promoting the ability of the individuals to prepare for, secure, retain, regain, or advance in employment;".
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(III), added cl. (ii). Former cl. (ii) redesignated (iii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(IV), inserted "independent living and" before "rehabilitation services".
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(II), redesignated cl. (ii) as (iii). Former cl. (iii) redesignated (iv).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(V), inserted "independent living and" before "rehabilitation" in two places and struck out "and" at end.
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(II), redesignated cl. (iii) as (iv). Former cl. (iv) redesignated (v).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(v). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(VI), added cl. (v) and struck out former cl. (v) which read as follows: "serving as an informational and technical assistance resource to providers, individuals with disabilities, and the individuals&apos; representatives, through conferences, workshops, public education programs, in-service training programs, and similar activities."
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(II), redesignated cl. (iv) as (v).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(ii)(VI), added cl. (vi).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(I), inserted ", including research on assistive technology devices, assistive technology services, and accessible electronic and information technology devices" after "rehabilitation research".
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(II), substituted ", social, and economic" for "and social" and inserted "independent living and" before "rehabilitation".
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(V), substituted "that promotes the emotional, social, educational, and functional growth of children who are individuals with disabilities, as well as their integration in school, employment, and community activities;" for "to develop and evaluate interventions, policies, and services that support families of those children and adults who are individuals with disabilities; and".
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(III), (IV), redesignated cl. (v) as (iii) and struck out former cl. (iii) which read as follows: "research related to vocational rehabilitation;".
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(iv). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(VI), substituted "to develop and evaluate interventions, policies, and services that support families of those children and adults who are individuals with disabilities;" for "that will improve services and policies that foster the productivity, independence, and social integration of individuals with disabilities, and enable individuals with disabilities, including individuals with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities, to live in their communities."
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(III), (IV), redesignated cl. (vi) as (iv) and struck out former cl. (iv) which read as follows: "continuation of research that promotes the emotional, social, educational, and functional growth of children who are individuals with disabilities;".
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(v), (vi). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iii)(VII), added cls. (v) and (vi). Former cls. (v) and (vi) redesignated (iii) and (iv), respectively.
Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(iv), added subpar. (D) and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: "Training of students preparing to be rehabilitation personnel shall be an important priority for such a Center."
Subsec. (b)(2)(E). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(v), struck out "comprehensive" after "both".
Subsec. (b)(2)(G)(i). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(vi), inserted "independent living and" before "rehabilitation-related".
Subsec. (b)(2)(I). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(vii), (viii), redesignated subpar. (J) as (I) and struck out former subpar. (I) which read as follows: "The Director shall encourage the Centers to develop practical applications for the findings of the research of the Centers."
Subsec. (b)(2)(J) to (N). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(B)(viii), redesignated subpars. (K) to (O) as (J) to (N), respectively. Former subpar. (J) redesignated (I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(C)(i), inserted "independent living strategies and" before "rehabilitation technology".
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(C)(ii)(I), inserted "independent living and" before "rehabilitation problems".
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(C)(ii)(II), substituted "educational, employment," for "employment".
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iii)(II). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(C)(ii)(III), substituted "educational, employment," for "employment".
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(i)(II). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(C)(iii), substituted "postsecondary education, competitive integrated employment, and other age-appropriate" for "postschool".
Subsec. (b)(3)(G)(ii). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(C)(iv), inserted "the impact of any commercialized product researched or developed through the Center," after "individuals with disabilities,".
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(i). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(D)(i), substituted "independent living, employment," for "vocational" and "unique" for "special" and inserted "social and functional needs, and" before "acute care".
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(D)(ii), inserted "education, health and wellness," after "employment,".
Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(E), added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: "Research grants may be used to conduct a program of joint projects with the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Health Services Administration, the Administration on Aging, the National Science Foundation, the Veterans&apos; Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, other Federal agencies, and private industry in areas of joint interest involving rehabilitation."
Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(F), (G), redesignated par. (10) as (9) and struck out former par. (9) which read as follows: "Research grants may be used to conduct a program of research related to the rehabilitation of children, or older individuals, who are individuals with disabilities, including older American Indians who are individuals with disabilities. Such research program may include projects designed to assist the adjustment of, or maintain as residents in the community, older workers who are individuals with disabilities on leaving the workforce."
Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(G), redesignated par. (12) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (9).
Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(H)(i), substituted "employment needs, opportunities, and outcomes (including those relating to self-employment, supported employment, and telecommuting) of individuals with disabilities, including" for "employment needs of individuals with disabilities, including" in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(F), (G), redesignated par. (13) as (11) and struck out former par. (11) which read as follows: "Research grants may be used to conduct a model research and demonstration project designed to assess the feasibility of establishing a center for producing and distributing to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing captioned video cassettes providing a broad range of educational, cultural, scientific, and vocational programming."
Subsec. (b)(11)(B). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(H)(ii), inserted "and employment related" after "the employment".
Subsec. (b)(11)(G) to (L). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(H)(iii)–(v), added subpars. (G) to (L).
Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(I)(i), (iii), in introductory provisions, inserted "an independent living or" after "conduct" and, in concluding provisions, substituted "National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research" for "National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research".
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(G), redesignated par. (14) as (12). Former par. (12) redesignated (10).
Subsec. (b)(12)(D). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(I)(ii), inserted "independent living or" before "rehabilitation".
Subsec. (b)(13). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(J), inserted "independent living and" before "rehabilitation needs".
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(G), redesignated par. (15) as (13). Former par. (13) redesignated (11).
Subsec. (b)(14). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(K), substituted ", full participation, and economic self-sufficiency." for "and access to gainful employment."
Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(G), redesignated par. (16) as (14). Former par. (14) redesignated (12).
Subsec. (b)(15) to (18). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(2)(G), redesignated pars. (17) and (18) as (15) and (16), respectively. Former pars. (15) and (16) redesignated (13) and (14), respectively.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–128, §435(3), added subsec. (d).
2010—Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(vi). Pub. L. 111–256 substituted "intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities" for "mental retardation and other developmental disabilities".
1998—Pub. L. 105–277 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 105–220, §405, which enacted this section.
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i), (G)(i). Pub. L. 105–394 substituted "the Assistive Technology Act of 1998" for "the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)".
For meaning of references to an intellectual disability and to individuals with intellectual disabilities in provisions amended by section 2 of Pub. L. 111–256, see section 2(k) of Pub. L. 111–256, set out as a note under section 1400 of Title 20, Education.
1 So in original. Probably should be "paragraphs (2) through (16)".

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