OMB Memo

MEMORANDUM

To: Joshua Brammer

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

Office of Management and Budget

Through: Kate Mullan

Regulatory Information Management Services

U.S. Department of Education

From: Timothy Beatty

Independent Living Unit Supervisor, RSA

Subject: Request for OMB Approval of 1820-0608 Independent Living for Older Individuals who are Blind

The purpose of this memorandum is to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s approval of the revised ED RSA-7-OB Form as a “revision of a currently approved collection.” The current ED RSA-7-OB Form will expire in June 2011. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) requests OMB’s timely final approval to allow adequate time for the grantees to make necessary changes to their databases in order to capture newly added data information.

States are required to submit an annual report in order to receive federal funding under the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (IL-OIB) program. The purpose of this program is to maximize the independence of individuals aged 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible. The IL-OIB program is authorized by chapter 2 of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 105-220). Information collection requirements for the IL-OIB program are specified in section 752(i)(2)(a) of title VII, chapter 2.

The revised ED RSA-7-OB form incorporates revisions to the four performance measures established in 2007 for the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (IL-OIB) program. These measures will better reflect the program’s impact on individual consumers and the community.

Added to capture information that may be required to meet GPRA guidelines, the performance measures can be found under Part VI: Program Outcomes/Performance Measures as follows:

Measure 1.1

Of individuals who received AT (assistive technology) services and training, the percentage who regained or improved functional abilities previously lost as a result of vision loss.

Measure 1.2

Of individuals who received orientation and mobility (O & M) services, the percentage who experienced functional gains or maintained their ability to travel safely and independently in their home and/or community environment.

Measure 1.3

Of individuals who received services or training in alternative non-visual or low vision techniques, the percentage that experienced functional gains or were able to successfully restore and maintain their functional ability to engage in their customary life activities within their home environment and community.

Measure 1.4

Of the total individuals served, the percentage that reported that they are in greater control and are more confident in their ability to maintain their current living situation as a result of services.

Revisions to these established program performance measures consists of the following additional five items:

E1. Enter the Number of individuals served who reported feeling that they are in greater control and are more confident in their ability to maintain their current living situation as a result of services they received (Closed/inactive cases only)

E2. Enter the number of individuals served who reported feeling that they have less control and confidence in their ability to maintain their current living situation as a result of services they received (closed/inactive cases only)

E3. Enter the number of individuals served who reported no change in their feelings of control and confidence in their ability to maintain their current living situation as a result of services they received (closed/inactive cases only)

E4. Enter the number of individuals served who experienced changes in lifestyle for reasons unrelated to vision loss. (closed/inactive cases only)

E5. Enter the number of individuals served who died before achieving functional gain or experiencing changes in lifestyle as a result of services they received. (closed/inactive cases only)

The primary difference in the new ED RSA-7-OB form is the addition of these performance measures to collect additional data on service provision and program efficiency.

Additionally, the revised ED RSA-7-OB form has been streamlined to optimize the usefulness of information collected by only requesting data that demonstrates the range of ways in which the program promotes the independence, empowerment, and community integration of older individuals who are blind. This information will assist RSA in reporting results and outcomes related to the IL-OIB program

In light of the foregoing, RSA respectfully requests that OMB approve the revised ED RSA-7-OB Form.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 245-6156 or at [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration.