(a) The Secretary evaluates applications under the procedures in 34 CFR part 75.

(b) The Secretary evaluates each application using selection criteria in § 396.31.

(c) In addition to the selection criteria described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary evaluates each application using—

(1) Selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210;

(2) Selection criteria established under 34 CFR 75.209; or

(3) A combination of selection criteria established under 34 CFR 75.209 and selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210.

(Authority: Section 302(f) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 772(f))

In addition to the criteria in 34 CFR 396.30(c), the Secretary uses the following additional selection criterion to evaluate an application. The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which—

(a) The proposed interpreter training project was developed in consultation with State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their related agencies and consumers;

(b) The training is appropriate to the needs of both individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind and to the needs of public and private agencies that provide services to either individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or individuals who are deaf-blind in the geographical area to be served by the training project;

(c) Any curricula for the training of interpreters includes evidence-based practices and promising practices when evidence-based practices are not available;

(d) There is a working relationship between the interpreter training project and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their related agencies, and consumers; and

(e) There are opportunities for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind to provide input regarding the design and management of the training project.

(Authority: Sections 12(c) and 302(f) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772(f))

In addition to the selection criteria listed in § 396.31 and 34 CFR 75.210, the Secretary, in making awards under this part, considers the geographical distribution of projects throughout the country, as appropriate, in order to best carry out the purposes of this program. To accomplish this, the Secretary may in any fiscal year make awards of regional or national scope.

(Authority: Sections 12(c) and 302(f) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772(f))

(a) The Secretary, in making awards under this part, gives priority to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations, including institutions of higher education, with existing programs that have demonstrated their capacity for providing interpreter training.

(b) In announcing competitions for grants and contracts, the Secretary may give priority consideration to—

(1) Increasing the skill level of interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind in unserved or underserved populations or in unserved or underserved geographic areas;

(2) Existing programs that have demonstrated their capacity for providing interpreter training services that raise the skill level of interpreters in order to meet the highest standards approved by certifying associations; and

(3) Specialized topical training based on the communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind.

(Authority: Sections 12(c) and 302(f)(1)(C) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772(f)(1)(C))

A grantee must contribute to the cost of a project under this program in an amount satisfactory to the Secretary. The part of the costs to be borne by the grantee is determined by the Secretary at the time of the grant award.

(Authority: Section 12(c) and 302(f) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772(f))