NIDRR Research Agenda: Health, Community Living & Employment

January 25, 2013—The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the Department of Education released three proposed priorities [FR Doc No: 2013-01418] regarding the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) research agenda. The three priorities focus on community living and participation; health and function; and the employment of individuals with disabilities. The proposal requires that research conducted within one of these priorities must focus on at least one of the four stages of research. The four stages of research include: exploration and discovery, intervention development, intervention efficacy, and scale-up evaluation. The intention of the proposed priorities and definitions is to conduct research “on areas of national need” and to “contribute to improved employment and independent living outcomes for individuals with disabilities.” Common to all three priorities is a recommendation to research technologies that could improve health, employment outcomes or community living.  Comments on these proposed priorities are welcomed on or before February 25, 2013.