Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

SUMMARY:

The Leader, Regulatory Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 11, 2000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Leader, Regulatory Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Type of Review: New.

Title: Evaluation of Independent Programs.

Frequency: One time.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: 1,003.

Burden Hours: 639

Abstract: The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education, has funded a comprehensive two-year evaluation of Parts B and C of the Centers for Independent Living (CIL) program. CIL programs promote a philosophy of independent living-consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy-the goal is to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and enhance the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society. This evaluation will include questionnaire surveys of all CIL directors and a nationally representative sample of current and former consumers of CIL services. The study will examine two major areas: (1) consumer satisfaction and outcomes of services, and (2) systems advocacy and change. The results of the study will be used to complement Section 704 Annual Performance Report data; support RSA Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) reporting requirements; assist CILs to identify successful service and advocacy strategies; and inform advocates and policy makers about the Independent Living Programs.

Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov,, or should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC. 20202-4651. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the internet address OCIO_IMG_Issues@ed.gov or faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Sheila Carey at (202) 708-9915 or via her internet address Sheila_Carey@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.