(a)
The department, with the advice of persons knowledgeable about providing employment services to persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, shall establish the criteria for choosing contractors.
(b)
The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)
The ability to provide services to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing in the person’s preferred mode of communication.
(2)
The ability to secure community support, including written endorsements of local officials, employers, the workforce investment board of the local workforce investment area and organizations of and for persons who are deaf and hearing impaired.
(3)
The existence of funding from one or more public or private sources.
(c)
Preference shall be given in the selection of a contractor to those proposals which demonstrate all of the following:
(1)
Participation of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing on the potential contractor’s employment services staff, and in the case of a private nonprofit corporation, on the board of directors.
(2)
A commitment to the development and maintenance of self-determination for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.