34 C.F.R. Subpart D—What Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Does the Secretary Assist?
Title 34 - Education
A Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center shall plan and conduct activities that— (a) Further one or more of the purposes listed in §350.2; and (b)(1) Lead to the development of methods, procedures, and devices that will benefit individuals with disabilities, especially those with the most severe disabilities; or (2) Involve rehabilitation technology and enhance opportunities for meeting the needs of, and addressing the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. (Authority: Sec. 204(b)(3); 29 U.S.C. 762(b)(3)) A Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center must be operated by or in collaboration with— (a) One or more institutions of higher education; or (b) One or more nonprofit organizations. (Authority: Sec. 204(b)(3); 29 U.S.C. 762(b)(3)) A Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center shall— (a) Conduct research or demonstration activities by using one or more of the following strategies: (1) Developing and disseminating innovative methods of applying advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and social knowledge to solve rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers through— (i) 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, or devices; and (ii) Studying and evaluating new or emerging technologies, products, or environments and their effectiveness and benefits. (2) Demonstrating and disseminating— (i) Innovative models for the delivery to rural and urban areas of cost-effective rehabilitation technology services that will promote the use of assistive technology services; and (ii) Other scientific research to assist in meeting the employment and independent living needs of individuals with severe disabilities. (3) Conducting research and 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 use of rehabilitation technology; and (ii) Other scientific research to assist in meeting the employment and independent living needs of, and addressing the barriers confronted by individuals with disabilities, including individuals with severe disabilities; (b) To the extent consistent with the nature and type of research or demonstration activities described in paragraph (a) of this section, carry out research, training, and information dissemination activities by— (1) Providing training opportunities to individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to enable them to become rehabilitation technology researchers and practitioners of rehabilitation technology in conjunction with institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations; and (2) Responding, 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 subject area of focus of the Center. (c) Conduct orientation seminars for rehabilitation service personnel to improve the application of rehabilitation technology; (d) Conduct activities that specifically demonstrate means for utilizing rehabilitation technology; and (e) Provide technical assistance and consultation that are responsive to concerns of service providers and consumers. (Authority: Sec. 204(b)(3); 29 U.S.C. 762(b)(3)) A Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center— (a) Shall 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 Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.); and (b) To the extent consistent with the nature and type of research or demonstration activities described in §350.32(a), shall cooperate with the entities described in paragraph (a) of this section to provide information to individuals with disabilities and their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives, to— (1) Increase awareness and understanding of how rehabilitation technology can address their needs; and (2) 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 subject area of focus of the Center. (Authority: Sec. 204(b)(3) and (c); 29 U.S.C. 762(b)(3) and (c)) A Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center conducting research or demonstration activities that facilitate service delivery systems change must have an advisory committee. (Authority: Sec. 204 (b)(3)(D); 29 U.S.C. 762 (b)(3)(D)) The majority of a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center advisory committee's members must be comprised of individuals with disabilities who are users of rehabilitation technology, or their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives. (Authority: Sec. 204(b)(3)(D); 29 U.S.C. 762(b)(3)(D))
Title 34: Education
PART 350—DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH PROJECTS AND CENTERS PROGRAM
Subpart D—What Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Does the Secretary Assist?
§ 350.30 What requirements must a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center meet?
§ 350.31 What collaboration must a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center engage in?
§ 350.32 What activities must a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center conduct?
§ 350.33 What cooperation requirements must a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center meet?
§ 350.34 Which Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers must have an advisory committee?
§ 350.35 What are the requirements for the composition of an advisory committee?
