(a) Establishment; membership; meetings

(1) In order to promote coordination and cooperation among Federal departments and agencies conducting disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research programs, including programs relating to assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design, there is established within the Federal Government an Interagency Committee on Disability Research (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Committee”), chaired by the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, and comprised of such members as the President may designate, including the following (or their designees): the Director, the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of Transportation, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, the Director of the Indian Health Service, the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

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(2) The Committee shall meet not less than four times each year, and for not less than 1 of such meetings at least every 2 years, the Committee shall invite policymakers, representatives from other Federal agencies conducting relevant research, individuals with disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, researchers, and providers, to offer input on the Committee’s work, including the development and implementation of the strategic plan required under subsection (c).

(b) Duties

(1) After receiving input individuals ¹ with disabilities, the Committee shall identify, assess, and seek to coordinate all Federal programs, activities, and projects, and plans for such programs, activities, and projects with respect to the conduct of research (including assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design) related to independent living and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

(2) In carrying out its duties with respect to the conduct of Federal research (including assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design) related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, the Committee shall—

(A) share information regarding the range of assistive technology research, independent living research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal design, that is being carried out by members of the Committee and other Federal departments and organizations;

(B) identify, and make efforts to address, gaps in assistive technology research, independent living research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal design that are not being adequately addressed;

(C) identify, and establish, clear research priorities related to assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design for the Federal Government;

(D) promote interagency collaboration and joint research activities relating to assistive technology research, independent living research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal design at the Federal level, and reduce unnecessary duplication of effort regarding these types of research within the Federal Government; and

(E) optimize the productivity of Committee members through resource sharing and other cost-saving activities, related to assistive technology research, independent living research, and research that incorporates the principles of universal design.

(c) Strategic plan

(1) The Committee shall develop a comprehensive government wide strategic plan for disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research.

(2) The strategic plan shall include, at a minimum—

(A) a description of the—

(i) measurable goals and objectives;

(ii) existing resources each agency will devote to carrying out the plan;

(iii) timetables for completing the projects outlined in the plan; and

(iv) assignment of responsible individuals and agencies for carrying out the research activities;

(B) research priorities and recommendations;

(C) a description of how funds from each agency will be combined, as appropriate, for projects administered among Federal agencies, and how such funds will be administered;

(D) the development and ongoing maintenance of a searchable government wide inventory of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research for trend and data analysis across Federal agencies;

(E) guiding principles, policies, and procedures, consistent with the best research practices available, for conducting and administering disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research across Federal agencies; and

(F) a summary of underemphasized and duplicative areas of research.

(3) The strategic plan described in this subsection shall be submitted to the President and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives.

(d) Annual report

Not later than December 31 of each year, the Committee shall prepare and submit, to the President and to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report that—

(1) describes the progress of the Committee in fulfilling the duties described in subsections (b) and (c), and including specifically for subsection (c)—

(A) a report of the progress made in implementing the strategic plan, including progress toward implementing the elements described in subsection (c)(2)(A); and

(B) detailed budget information.²

(2) makes such recommendations as the Committee determines to be appropriate with respect to coordination of policy and development of objectives and priorities for all Federal programs relating to the conduct of research (including assistive technology research and research that incorporates the principles of universal design) related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities; and

(3) describes the activities that the Committee recommended to be funded through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other mechanisms, for assistive technology research and development and research and development that incorporates the principles of universal design.

(e) Definitions

In this section—

(1) the terms “assistive technology” and “universal design” have the meanings given the terms in section 3002 of this title; and

(2) the term “independent living”, used in connection with research, means research on issues and topics related to attaining maximum self-sufficiency and function by individuals with disabilities, including research on assistive technology and universal design, employment, education, health and wellness, and community integration and participation.