Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 2.djvu/304

 112 STAT. 1188 PUBLIC LAW 105^220—AUG. 7, 1998 to reflect the diverse populations of the United States as part of the effort to increase the number of individuals with disabilities, and individuals who are from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds, who are available to provide rehabilitation services. "(e) EVALUATION AND COLLECTION OF DATA.— The Commissioner shall evaluate the impact of the training programs conducted under this section, and collect information on the training needs of, and data on shortages of qualified personnel necessary to provide Reports. services to individuals with disabilities. The Commissioner shall prepare and submit to Congress, by September 30 of each fiscal year, a report setting forth and justifying in detail how the funds made available for training under this section for the fiscal year prior to such submission are allocated by professional discipline and other program areas. The report shall also contain findings on such personnel shortages, how funds proposed for the succeeding fiscal year will be allocated under the President's budget proposal, and how the findings on personnel shortages justify the allocations. "(f) GRANTS FOR THE TRAINING OF INTERPRETERS. — "(1) AUTHORITY.— "(A) IN GENERAL. —For the purpose of training a sufficient number of qualified interpreters to meet the communications needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and individuals who are deaf-blind, the Commissioner, acting through a Federal office responsible for deaf- ness and communicative disorders, may award grants to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations to pay part of the costs— "(i) for the establishment of interpreter training programs; or "(ii) to enable such agencies or organizations to provide financial assistance for ongoing interpreter training programs. "(B) GEOGRAPHIC AREAS.— The Commissioner shall award grants under this subsection for programs in geographic areas throughout the United States that the Commissioner considers appropriate to best carry out the objectives of this section. "(C) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this subsection, the Commissioner shall give priority to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations with existing programs that have a demonstrated capacity for providing interpreter training services. "(D) FUNDING. —The Commissioner may award grants under this subsection through the use of— "(i) amounts appropriated to carry out this section; or "(ii) pursuant to an agreement with the Director of the Office of the Special Education Program (established under section 603 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (as amended by section 101 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (Public Law 105-17))), amounts appropriated under section 686 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. "(2) APPLICATION.—^A grant may not be awarded to an agency or organization under paragraph (1) unless the agency

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