ED National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Budget Code:  
The Education Department's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, within the office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, funds several programs with projects related to High Performance Computing and Communication. These include the Rehabilitation Engineering Research centers (RERC) program, the Technology-Related Assistance program (TRA), the Research and Demonstration program, the Field Initiated Research program, and interagency programs.

RERCs conduct coordinated programs of advanced engineering or technological research: to develop and test new engineering solutions to problems confronting individuals with disabilities; to develop systems for the exchange of technical and engineering information; and to improve the distribution of technological devices and equipment to individuals with disabilities. These centers have been established in the following areas supporting universal access to HPCC technology: Adaptive Computers and Information Systems; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Hearing Enhancement and Assistive Devices; Technology for Blind, Visually Impaired, and Multihandicapped Individuals; and for planning purposes only, Universal Access and Telecommunications. Funding for these activities is about $3 million per year.

The combined Research and Demonstration and Field Initiated Research programs yield about $1.7 million per year in HPCC relevant research activities. The TRA program involves 52 entities (primarily states) with programs of systems change that include personnel, equipment, and a system to generate database information that could be network accessible. Approximately 14% of the funding for the TRA program or $4.9 million per year is allocated to this activity. Dissemination and Utilization activities account for about $2.5 million per year allocated to production of information available for network access primarily through contract support of the National Rehabilitation Information center (NARIC). NARIC collects the results of federally funded research projects related to disability and rehabilitation research.
Budget ($ M)
FY 95 Act 11.40
FY 96 Pres 11.40
FY 96 Est 11.40
FY 97 Rqst 11.40
Program Component Areas
  FY 96 FY 97
HECC    
LSN    
HCS    
HuCS 11.40 11.40
ETHR    
Agency Ties
DARPA  
NSF Partner
DOE  
NASA  
NIH  
NSA  
NIST  
NOAA  
EPA  
ED  
AHCPR  
VA Partner
Milestone Changes  
FY 1995 Actual Milestones FY 1996 Estimated Milestones FY 1997 Agency Requested Milestones
Enhancement of continuing research centers and programs to include a focus on ethnic and cultural diversity and increased participation of persons with disabilities in policy research.

Established two major research teams to pursue work in technology related to the National Information Infrastructure access and productive use by persons with disabilities. 		Demonstrate an enhanced capability to deliver useful government information to persons with disabilities. NIDR will continue funding of 15 continuing and 1 new Rehabilitation Engineering Research centers (RERCs). These centers support programs designed to conduct research, demonstration, and training activities. RERCs focus on issues dealing with rehabilitation technology, including rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology devices and services.