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. 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.
The purpose of this particular RERC is to conduct research and development activities toward understanding and optimizing technologies and services used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing. NIDILRR plans to make one RERC award under this opportunity. The grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods.
Deadline: May 6, 2024
The RERC must conduct advanced engineering research and development activities that
contribute to improved outcomes for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Research and
development topics under this priority may include but are not limited to:
1. Hearing aid features, functions, and performance.
2. Cochlear implant features, functions, and performance.
3. Assistive listening systems.
4. Telecommunications relay services, including video relay services.
5. Educational and employment technologies.
6. Sign language recognition technologies.
7. Video-captioning technologies.
8. Technologies and services to optimize language acquisition and speech production by
infants and children using hearing aids or cochlear implants.
States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.