Rehabilitation Services-Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (84.177)

Program

84.177 Rehabilitation Services-Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Special Education And Rehabilitative Services

Authorization

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Executive Order Title VII, Chapter 2.

Program Number

84.177

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide independent living services to individuals aged 55 or older who are blind, whose severe visual impairments make competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Federal funds are used to improve or expand independent living services. Among the services provided are those to help correct or modify visual disabilities, provide eyeglasses and other visual aids, provide services and equipment to enhance mobility and self-care, provide training in Braille and other services to help older individuals who are blind adjust to blindness, provide teaching services in daily living activities, and other supportive services that enable individuals to live more independently. Funds can also be used to improve public understanding of the problems faced by visual older individuals who are blind.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Any State agency (including territories/possessions designated by the State as the State agency) authorized to provide rehabilitation services to blind individuals may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals aged 55 or older whose severe visual impairments make gainful employment extremely difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible and beneficial.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Any application for a grant must contain assurances that the designated State unit will seek to incorporate any new methods and approaches relating to services for older individuals who are blind into the State plan for Independent Living Services.

Award Procedure

Awards are made on approval of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and the Assistant Secretary, OSERS, based on a review of findings of Federal and nonfederal reviewers.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 120 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Awards are made on an annual basis. Projects may be continued for up to 4 additional years based on annual review of accomplishments, submittal of a continuation application, and the availability of funds. Renewals are available only through the new application process.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Cost-sharing of $1 for each $9 of Federal grant funding is required.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects in fiscal year are generally approved for a period of up to 5 years with funding approved on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject to availability of appropriations. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, annual performance and financial reports are required. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of five years after completion.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Funding was received by 56 projects in FY 08. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $32,320,000; FY 09 est $32,320,000; FY 10 est $34,151,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

to be determined.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Section 752 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, and 34 CFR 367, as amended.

Related Programs

84.132 Centers for Independent Living; 84.169 Independent Living_State Grants; 84.240 Program of Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights; 84.399 Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind, Recovery Act

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Thomas Kelley Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: thomas.kelley@ed.gov Phone: (202) 245-7404

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Projects have extended services to subgroups of the older blind population that are vulnerable to premature or unnecessary institutionalization as well as to older deaf-blind persons. These projects provide services in both rural and urban areas and about half of the grantees make subgrants to community nonprofit agencies to deliver services. In addition to in-home and/or facility- based service provisions, mobile units and community minicenters are available near the residences of persons being served. All projects provide comprehensive independent living services. Fiscal Year 2009: Grants were awarded to 56 designated State units. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Selection criteria for this program are extent of need for the project, plan of operation, quality of key personnel, budget and cost-effectiveness, evaluation plan, adequacy of resources, service comprehensiveness, and likelihood of sustaining program. Criteria for selecting projects are published in program regulation at 34 CFR 367.