FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 2, 29 U.S.C. 796j-7961.

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. Place Cursor Here for Definition

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: Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Pre-application Coordination: The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used 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: 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

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 offices for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 90 to 120 days.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: Project periods can be up to five years. Previous project periods have been limited to 36 months. Projects may be continued 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.

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

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Projects in fiscal year are generally approved for a period of up to five years with funding approved on a 12 month basis. Renewals are subject to availability of appropriations.

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.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 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.

Account Identification: 91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $20,000,000; FY 02 est $25,000,000; and FY 03 est $25,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: For FY 2016, the estimated range of awards is $40,000 to $3,143,896, with a median State award, excluding outlying areas of $393,226.

In fiscal year 2001, 56 projects received funding.

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

Regional or Local Office: None.

Headquarters Office: James Billy, Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washingotn, District of Columbia 20202 Email: james.billy@ed.gov Phone: (202) 245-7273.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.ed.gov/

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 sub-grants 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.

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.