PAAT PPR Supporting Statement

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology

INFORMATION COLLECTION SUBMISSION

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Annual Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) Program Performance Report (Form RSA-661) will be used to analyze and evaluate the PAAT Program administered by eligible systems in states. These systems provide services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology devices or assistive technology services. RSA uses the form to meet specific data collection requirements of Section 5 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (AT Act). PAAT programs must report annually using the form (copy attached), which is due on or before December 30 each year.

The current version of the form is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2009. RSA has made no substantive changes to the form. The only revision is the addition of a form number, which will be used for internal tracking purposes in RSA’s Management Information System (MIS). The addition of the form number will not have an effect on the respondents. The report will

now be referred to as the Form RSA-661.

RSA is requesting an extension of the form through March 31, 2012. RSA is making this request for the following reasons:

In March 2008, OMB approved the current Annual PAAT Performance Report form as a data collection instrument through March 31, 2009. At the direction of OMB, the Federal agencies responsible for the administration of all protection and advocacy (P&A) programs, including RSA, are participating in an effort to devise common definitions and data elements relevant to reporting by the P&As through the Interagency Workgroup on Common Definitions for Protection and Advocacy Systems Reporting. OMB requested that RSA adopt those data elements applicable to the program, and utilize the common reporting system developed by the workgroup for the purpose of collecting data and information on the PAAT program. However, the work of the Interagency Workgroup is still ongoing and decisions regarding common data elements are not yet final.

Consequently, RSA has made no revisions to the content of the form since that time. Furthermore, because it is not known when the Interagency Workgroup will complete its work, RSA is requesting that OMB grant a three-year extension of this data collection instrument. If the workgroup completes its work within the next three years, RSA will update the form appropriately.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The Annual PAAT Performance Report has enabled RSA to furnish the President and Congress with data on the provision of protection and advocacy services and has helped to establish a sound basis for future funding requests. Data from the form have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of eligible systems within individual states in meeting annual priorities and objectives. These data also have been used to indicate trends in the provision of services from year-to-year.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision of adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Currently, each PAAT system can transmit the Form RSA-661 data by e-mail. RSA has also developed an electronic management information system (MIS), which allows PAAT systems to access and submit data online.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use of the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The Annual PAAT Performance Report provides information on the number of individuals with disabilities currently receiving protection and advocacy services authorized by Section 5 of the AT Act. No similar information is available from other data sources.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Several respondents are not-for-profit organizations. RSA included the respondents and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), formerly known as the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS), a national organization representing the respondents, in the initial development of this collection of information. This was done in an effort to ensure that the information requested could be provided with a minimal burden on the respondents.

6. Describe the consequences to federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Because RSA uses the information obtained by this collection in preparing its annual report to the President and Congress, current data on protection and advocacy services must be made available by eligible systems each year.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results than can be generalized to the universe of study;

• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no special circumstances that require this information collection to be conducted in any manner listed above.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

• Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instruction and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

• Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

During its initial development, the Annual PAAT Performance Report was shared with NDRN and the respondents themselves. Changes were made pursuant to the comments received, and there was agreement on the collection submitted at that time. In addition, we will publish 60-day and 30-day Federal Register Notices to allow public comment prior to OMB approval.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There is no payment or gift to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Confidentiality is assured because the Annual PAAT Performance Report is an aggregate report.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. The justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary; the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This report contains no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should;

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in item.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in item 14.

	Annual Burden
Number of respondents	57
Frequency of response	1
Total annual responses	57
Hours per response	16.0
Total hours	912
Cost per hour	$33
Total cost	$30,096

RSA has estimated the time required for each respondent to complete the form, so that the estimate is consistent with that used in connection with similar reporting instruments used by RSA, in particular, the Annual Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) Program Performance Report (Form RSA-509). RSA conducted a field test of nine respondents to the Annual PAAT Performance Report during its development and found that on average respondents completed the form within 16 hours.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14.)

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

States and territories incur no cost burden in addition to that stated in item 12 above.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Annual cost to federal government 85.5 hours x $38/hour $3,249.00

Annual federal computer costs $ 500.00

Total cost to federal government $3,749.00

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

This submission requires no changes to the burden for hours and costs included in current OMB inventory.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Reports are due to RSA within 90 days following the end of the fiscal year (approximately December 31 of each year). Data reported are evaluated and transmitted to the President and Congress in the Annual Report prepared by the Commissioner.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We are not seeking approval to not display the expiration date.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of new OMB Form 83-I.

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

This collection of information does not employ any statistical methods.

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