A new Web site has been developed by the government’s Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) to gather comments and recommendations on research needs for Americans with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Education announced today. The committee, chaired by Steven James Tingus, director of the Education Department’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), produced the site to help ensure that federal research efforts meet the needs of the disability community. The site can be found at http://www.icdr.us/.From the U.S. Department of Education:New Web Site to Gather Comments about Disability Research Needs
FOR RELEASE:
February 24, 2003 Contact: Jim Bradshaw, (202) 401-1576
A new Web site has been developed by the government’s Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) to gather comments and recommendations on research needs for Americans with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Education announced today.
The committee, chaired by Steven James Tingus, director of the Education Department’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), produced the site to help ensure that federal research efforts meet the needs of the disability community.
The site can be found at http://www.icdr.us/.
“We want to make it easier for individuals with disabilities, their family members and other stakeholders to let us know what research issues we should consider,” Tingus said. “We will use this feedback to generate recommendations on research and development that will improve the lives of people with disabilities.”
Upon opening the home page, the reader sees in bold letters, “Send your comments to the ICDR.”
Clicking that link takes the reader to a comment form where individuals may offer their ideas about access to technology, education, employment, community life, health care and other needs.
Other links on the page cover topics such as:
President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative to help people with disabilities;
The ICDR statutory authority and mission;
Membership of the committee; and
Links to other disability sites.
“Coordinated research among federal agencies is an essential part of creating barrier-free living for people with disabilities. This is a significant part of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative,” said Robert Pasternack, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services. “That is ICDR’s mission.
“This website allows all Americans interested in these important issues to provide input on potential areas of needed research in areas affecting Americans with disabilities,” Pasternack said.
The ICDR Web site will serve as a catalyst for information sharing and be a source for recommendations to the president and Congress on policy and priorities related to disability and rehabilitation research.
The site will also increase awareness of federal disability research activities and make new research outcomes more available to the public. Congress recognized the importance of coordination among federal agencies in the area of disability and rehabilitation research by establishing the ICDR in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Besides Tingus and Pasternack, the ICDR membership includes the commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the secretary of Education, secretary of Veterans Affairs, director of the National Institutes of Health, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, administrator of NASA, secretary of Transportation, the assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, director of the Indian Health Service, and the director of the National Science Foundation, or their designees.
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