The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers for people with disabilities. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

Field-Initiated RERC on Technologies to Enhance Independence and Community Living For People with Cognitive Disabilities. In this area, NIDILRR seeks to fund research and development toward technologies that contribute to improved abilities of adults with cognitive impairments to perform daily activities of their choice in the home, community, or workplace.

The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) establishes a priority for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Technologies to Enhance Independence and Community Living Among People with Cognitive Disabilities. This RERC must focus on innovative technological solutions, new knowledge, and implementation strategies that enhance the self-management, independence, community living, and quality of life of people with cognitive disabilities. Under this priority, the RERC must research, develop, and evaluate new technologies, or adapt and evaluate existing technologies, to enhance the ability of people with cognitive disabilities to perform daily activities of their choice in the home, community, or workplace. The RERC must be designed to improve outcomes of people with cognitive disabilities in the following outcome domain: community living and participation.

Deadline: April 24, 2024