Research Program Overview National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Robert J. Jaeger, Ph.D. Interagency and International Affairs Interagency and International Affairs offices N I D R R

NIDRR 2 Organization Details l Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) includes: –Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) –Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) –National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) l Legislative Authority: –Title II, Rehabilitation Act, as amended –Assistive Technology Act of 1998

NIDRR 3 NIDRR History l 1954: Rehabilitation Research Program established, amendment to Vocational Rehab Act (Mary Switzer) l 1978: National Institute of Handicapped Research (NHR) established, amendment to Rehab Act l 1980: NHR moved from HEW to Department of Education l 1986: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) established, amendment to Rehab Act

NIDRR 4 Mission Statement To generate, disseminate, and promote the use of knowledge that will improve the ability of disabled individuals to perform regular activities in the community, and increase the capacity of society to provide full opportunities and supports for participation.

NIDRR 5 NIDRR’s Statutory Charge To support research to maximize the self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities of all ages

NIDRR 6 Domains of NIDRR Research Focus on the WHOLE PERSON interacting with SOCIETY and the ENVIRONMENT

NIDRR 7 Growth of Disability and Rehabilitation Research Biomedical and technological breakthroughs and increased longevity Independent living and civil rights advocacy by and for persons with disabilities

NIDRR 8 Values That Drive Disability and Rehabilitation Research at NIDRR Scientific Excellence Consumer Relevance

NIDRR 9 NIDRR’s Core Research Areas l Improved Employment Outcomes l Health and Function l Technology for Access and Function l Independent Living/Community Integration l Associated Areas –statistics, rehabilitation outcomes measures, rehabilitation science, disability studies and policy

NIDRR 10 NIDRR Core Research Areas l Employment –Federal policy and state policy –Vocational rehabilitation strategies –Technology –Ergonomics –Workplace supports –Macroeconomic models

NIDRR 11 NIDRR Core Research Areas l Health and Function –Medical rehabilitation –Health and wellness –Service delivery –Health services policy –New and emerging disabilities

NIDRR 12 NIDRR Core Research Areas l Technology for Access and Function –Systems of Technology Telecommunications Telecommunications Information technology Information technology l The Built Environment l Universal Design

NIDRR 13 NIDRR Core Research Areas l Independent Living and Community Integration –Strategies to support independent living and community integration l Associated Disability Research Areas –Rehabilitation and disability outcomes –Disabilities statistics –Disabilities studies

NIDRR 14 Distribution of NIDRR Funding by Research Area

NIDRR 15 NIDRR Funding Mechanisms l Research and Training Centers l Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers l Model Systems l Field-Initiated Projects (Research and Development) l Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects l Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training l Fellowships l Dissemination and Utilization Grants l Small Business Innovative Research l ADA Technical Assistance Centers l State Technology Assistance Projects

NIDRR 16 NIDRR’s FY 2001 Budget

NIDRR 17 NIDRR Funding Mechanisms l Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers –Average $750,000 per year –Advanced programs of research –Focus on new knowledge –Affiliation with institutions of higher education –Research training, dissemination, and technical assistance

NIDRR 18 NIDRR Funding Mechanisms l Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects –At least $250,000 –Projects that emphasize research, demonstration, dissemination, and technical assistance l Model Systems: –TBI ($345,000 per year) –SCI ($333,000 per year) –Burn ($295,000 per year) –Innovative projects for the development, delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive services

NIDRR 19 NIDRR Funding Mechanisms l Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers –Average $900,000 per year –Advanced Research of an engineering or technical nature –Affiliation with institutions of higher education –Emphasized technology transfer – Requires dissemination efforts

NIDRR 20 NIDRR Funding Mechanisms l Field-Initiated Projects –$150,000 per year –May be research or development –Funding for three-years –Decided by standing panels

NIDRR 21 NIDRR Funding Mechanisms l Advanced Rehabilitation Research Program –$150,000 per year –Advanced rehabilitation research training at post-doctoral level –Award made to educational institutions only –Must be interdisciplinary

NIDRR 22 How NIDRR Arrives At Priorities l Administration’s interest/directives l Director’s initiatives l Scientific, cultural, and social trends l Consumer and other constituent input l Strategic team initiatives l Statutory provisions

NIDRR 23 Peer Review Ensures That: l Activities supported by NIDRR are of the highest scientific, administrative, and technical quality l Activity results may be widely applied to appropriate target populations and rehabilitation problems

NIDRR 24 Composition of Peer Panels l Scientists and other experts –Who work in rehabilitation or related fields –Who are qualified on the basis or training, knowledge, or experience and to give expert advice on the applications under review

NIDRR 25 Factors Considered In Selecting Reviewers l Level of formal scientific or technical education l Scientific, technical, or administrative activities appropriate to applications to be reviewed l Roles of potential reviewers in those activities l Quality of those activities

NIDRR 26 l Awards and honors from scientific and professional agencies and organizations outside the Department l Knowledgeable individuals with disabilities, or parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities l Individuals from diverse populations Factors Considered In Selecting Reviewers

NIDRR 27 Obtaining Priority Information l Website: –Click on Funding Opportunities »Forecast Funding (Chart 5 for OSERS) »Discretionary Grant Application Packages »Federal Register Documents »ED General Administration Regulations

NIDRR 28 Accessible NIDRR Web Pages Accessible NIDRR Web Pages NIDRR home page: National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research home page: National Rehabilitation Information Center home page:

NIDRR 29 President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative For Disability l Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed Technology l Expanding Educational Opportunities l Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce l Promoting Full Access to Community Life Issued in February 2001