§ 764. Research and other covered activities

§ 764. Research and other covered activities

(a) Federal grants and contracts for certain research projects and related activities

(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.

(B) Such projects, as described in the State plans submitted by State agencies, may include—

(i) medical and other scientific, technical, methodological, and other investigations into the nature of disability, methods of analyzing it, and restorative techniques, including basic research where related to rehabilitation techniques or services;

(ii) studies and analyses of factors related to industrial, vocational, educational, employment, social, recreational, psychiatric, psychological, economic, and health and wellness variables affecting individuals with disabilities, including traditionally underserved populations as described in section 718 of this title, and how those variables affect such individuals’ ability to live independently and their participation in the work force;

(iii) studies and analysis of special problems of individuals who have significant challenges engaging in community life outside their homes and individuals who are in institutional settings;

(iv) studies, analyses, and demonstrations of architectural and engineering design adapted to meet the special needs of individuals with disabilities, including the principles of universal design and the interoperability of products and services;

(v) studies, analyses, and other activities related to supported employment, and to promoting employment opportunities in competitive integrated employment;

(vi) related activities which hold promise of increasing knowledge and improving methods in the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities and individuals with the most significant disabilities, particularly individuals with disabilities, and individuals with the most significant disabilities, who are members of populations that are unserved or underserved by programs under this chapter;

(vii) studies, analyses, and other activities related to job accommodations, including the use of rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology, and communications technology; and

(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.

(3) In carrying out this section, the Director shall emphasize covered activities that include plans for—

(A) dissemination of high-quality materials, of scientifically valid research results, or of findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from covered activities, including through electronic means (such as the website of the Department of Health and Human Services), so that such information is available in a timely manner to the general public; or

(B) the commercialization of marketable products, research results, or findings, resulting from the covered activities.

(b) Research grants

(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).11 So in original. Probably should be “paragraphs (2) through (16)”. 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.

(2)

(A) Research grants may be used for the establishment and support of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, for the purpose of providing an integrated program of research, which Centers shall—

(i) be operated in collaboration with institutions of higher education, providers of rehabilitation services, developers or providers of assistive technology devices, assistive technology services, or information technology devices or services, as appropriate, or providers of other appropriate services; and

(ii) serve as centers of national excellence and national or regional resources for individuals with disabilities, as well as providers, educators, and researchers.

(B) The Centers shall conduct research and training activities by—

(i) conducting coordinated and advanced programs of research in independent living and rehabilitation targeted toward the production of new knowledge that will improve independent living and rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, 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;

(ii) conducting research in, and dissemination of, employer-based practices to facilitate the identification, recruitment, accommodation, advancement, and retention of qualified individuals with disabilities;

(iii) providing training (including graduate, pre-service, and in-service training) to assist individuals to more effectively provide independent living and rehabilitation services;

(iv) providing training (including graduate, pre-service, and in-service training) for independent living and rehabilitation research personnel and other independent living and rehabilitation personnel;

(v) serving as an informational and technical assistance resource to individuals with disabilities, as well as to providers, educators, and researchers, by providing outreach and information that clarifies research implications for practice and identifies potential new areas of research; and

(vi) developing practical applications for the research findings of the Centers.

(C) The research to be carried out at each such Center may include—

(i) basic or applied medical rehabilitation research, including research on assistive technology devices, assistive technology services, and accessible electronic and information technology devices;

(ii) research regarding the psychological, social, and economic aspects of independent living and rehabilitation, including disability policy;

(iii) continuation of research 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;

(iv) continuation of research to develop and evaluate interventions, policies, and services that support families of those children and adults who are individuals with disabilities;

(v) continuation of research that will improve services and policies that foster the 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; and

(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.

(G) Grants made under this paragraph may be used to provide faculty support for teaching—

(i) independent living and rehabilitation-related courses of study for credit; and

(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.

(J) To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, each such institution or provider described in subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) be of sufficient size, scope, and quality to effectively carry out the activities in an efficient manner consistent with appropriate Federal and State law; and

(ii) demonstrate the ability to carry out the training activities either directly or through another entity that can provide such training.

(K) The Director shall make grants under this paragraph for periods of 5 years, except that the Director may make a grant for a period of less than 5 years if—

(i) the grant is made to a new recipient; or

(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’ 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.

(B) In order to carry out the purposes set forth in subparagraph (A), such a Center shall carry out the research or demonstration activities by—

(i) developing and disseminating innovative methods of applying advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and social knowledge to—

(I) solve independent living and rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers through planning and conducting research, including cooperative research with public or private agencies and organizations, designed to produce new scientific knowledge, and new or improved methods, equipment, and devices; and

(II) study new or emerging technologies, products, or environments, and the effectiveness and benefits of such technologies, products, or environments;

(ii) demonstrating and disseminating—

(I) innovative models for the delivery, to rural and urban areas, of cost-effective rehabilitation technology services that promote utilization of assistive technology devices; and

(II) other scientific research to assist in meeting the educational, employment, and independent living needs of individuals with significant disabilities; or

(iii) conducting research or demonstration activities that facilitate service delivery systems change by demonstrating, evaluating, documenting, and disseminating—

(I) consumer responsive and individual and family-centered innovative models for the delivery to both rural and urban areas, of innovative cost-effective rehabilitation technology services that promote utilization of rehabilitation technology; and

(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.

(C) To the extent consistent with the nature and type of research or demonstration activities described in subparagraph (B), each Center established or supported through a grant made available under this paragraph shall—

(i) cooperate with programs established under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 [29 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.] and other regional and local programs to provide information to individuals with disabilities and the individuals’ representatives to—

(I) increase awareness and understanding of how rehabilitation technology can address their needs; and

(II) increase awareness and understanding of the range of options, programs, services, and resources available, including financing options for the technology and services covered by the area of focus of the Center;

(ii) provide training opportunities to individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to become researchers of rehabilitation technology and practitioners of rehabilitation technology in conjunction with institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations; and

(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.

(D)

(i) In establishing Centers to conduct the research or demonstration activities described in subparagraph (B)(iii), the Director may establish one Center in each of the following areas of focus:

(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’ representatives.

(E) Grants made under this paragraph shall be made on a competitive basis and shall be for a period of 5 years, except that the Director may make a grant for a period of less than 5 years if—

(i) the grant is made to a new recipient; or

(ii) the grant supports new or innovative research.

(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.

(G) Each Center established or supported through a grant made available under this paragraph shall—

(i) cooperate with State agencies and other local, State, regional, and national programs and organizations developing or delivering rehabilitation technology, including State programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 [29 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.]; and

(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.

(4)

(A) Research grants may be used to conduct a program for spinal cord injury research, including conducting such a program by making grants to public or private agencies and organizations to pay part or all of the costs of special projects and demonstration projects for spinal cord injuries, that will—

(i) ensure widespread dissemination of research findings among all Spinal Cord Injury Centers, to rehabilitation practitioners, individuals with spinal cord injury, the individuals’ representatives, and organizations receiving financial assistance under this paragraph;

(ii) provide encouragement and support for initiatives and new approaches by individual and institutional investigators; and

(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.

(B) Any agency or organization carrying out a project or demonstration project assisted by a grant under this paragraph that provides services to individuals with spinal cord injuries shall—