Rehabilitation Services Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind

 

To provide any independent living services that are described in 34 CFR Section 367.3(b) of the program regulations to older individuals who are blind that improve or expand services for these individuals; and conduct activities to help improve public understanding of the challenges of these individuals.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
84.177
Federal Agency/Office
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 58,555 individuals received services under the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind program, over half of whom were over 80 years of age. Additionally, approximately 33,641 (57 percent) of those individuals were either legally blind or totally blind; 21 percent of individuals receiving services under this program also has some degree of hearing impairment.
Fiscal Year 2017 56,849 individuals received services under the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind program, over half of whom were over 80 years of age. Additionally, approximately 33,772 (59 percent) of those individuals were either legally blind or totally blind; 20 percent of individuals receiving services under this program also has some degree of hearing.
Fiscal Year 2018 No Current Data Available.
Fiscal Year 2019 No Current Data Available.
Authorization
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 2
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Any State agency in the 50 States and the District of Columbia and territories (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) and outlying areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) designated by the State as the State agency and authorized to provide rehabilitation services to blind individuals may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Older individuals who are blind, as defined in 34 C.F.R. SS367.5 of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (ILOIB) program regulations are the primary beneficiaries of assistance under this program. This term means "An individual aged 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible."
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. 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. Preapplication coordination is required. 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
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. In order to be eligible for an allotment under this program, States must submit an application for a grant under the ILOIB program in the form and manner prescribed by the Department and the application must contain the assurances listed in SS367.31 of the ILOIB program regulations, including an assurances that the designated State agency 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.
Award Procedure
A notice of annual allotment to the State is issued. Initial distributions are subject to reallotment at the end of the fiscal year if the Commissioner determines that the State will not expend its allotment. States receive annual grant award notices and funds may be withdrawn under the Electronic Transfer System.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
34 CFR 76.703 governs the approval/disapproval time of State plans in relation to when a State may begin to obligate funds.
Appeals
The State may appeal to the Office of Administrative Law Judges (34 CFR 81).
Renewals
Awards are made on an annual basis and may be renewed for up to two additional years, for a total of three years under an approved ILOIB application and the availability of funds.
How are proposals selected?
An approved ILOIB application is a condition for receipt of funds under the OIB program under Chapter 2 of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act. Application requirements are contained in section 752(h) of the Rehabilitation Act and 34 CFR SSSS367.30 and 367.31.
How may assistance be used?
The Secretary must first set aside not less than 1.8 percent and not more than 2 percent of the funds appropriated to the ILOIB program to be used to provide training and technical assistance to Designated State Agencies or other providers of ILOIB services that receive ILOIB program funds. The designated State unit may use funds awarded under the ILOIB program to carry out the activities described in the program objectives section of this document. Among the independent living (IL) services that can be provided to older individuals who are blind include services to help correct blindness, the provision of eyeglasses and other visual aids, services and equipment to enhance mobility and self-sufficiency, mobility training, Braille instruction, and other services and equipment to help older persons who are blind adjust to blindness, as well as other IL services as defined in the Rehabilitation Act and the IL program regulations.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
The audit requirements under Subpart F of the Uniform Guidance are applicable. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.
Records
Generally, States and subgrantees must retain records related to grant funds and compliance for a period of 3 years.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title VII of the Rehabilitation Ac to of 1973 Chapter 2, Section 752

Matching is mandatory. Under section 752(f) of the Rehabilitation Act (34 CFR ยงยง367.31(b) and 367.61), the States must contribute $1 for each $9 of Federal grant funding received, in cash or in kind.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made on an annual basis under an approved 3-year ILOIB application. Electronic transfer.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
James Billy,
Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washingotn, DC 20202 US
james.billy@ed.gov
Phone: (202) 245-7273.
Website Address
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0301-0-1-506
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$33,317,000.00; FY 19 est $33,317,000.00; FY 20 est $33,317,000.00; FY 17$33,317,000.00; FY 16$33,317,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 2019, the estimated range of State awards (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) under the distribution formula is $225,000 to $3,332,107, with a median award of $421,728. The statutory amount for each of the four outlying areas is $40,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind. 34 CFR Parts 367; Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2017 No Current Data Available.
Fiscal Year 2018 No Current Data Available.
Fiscal Year 2019 No Current Data Available.

 


Related Federal Grants


Federal Grants Resources