[§348F-3]  Duties and functions of theboard.  The board shall perform the following duties and functions:

(1)  Establish guidelines for the design of buildingsand facilities by or on behalf of the State and counties in accordance withsection 103-50;

(2)  Provide review and recommendations on all stateand county plans for buildings and facilities, in accordance with section103-50;

(3)  Establish guidelines for the utilization ofcommunication access services provided for persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing,or deaf-blind in state programs and activities.  Guidelines include, but arenot limited to, determining the qualifications of interpreters who may provideservices, the amount of payment to interpreters, and the credentialing ofinterpreters who do not hold national certification via a state screeningprocess;

(4)  Administer the statewide program for parking fordisabled persons, in accordance with part III of chapter 291;

(5)  Serve as public advocate of persons withdisabilities by providing advice and recommendations on matters relating toaccess for persons with disabilities, with emphasis on legislative matters,administrative rules, policies, and procedures of the state and countygovernments;

(6)  Review and assess the problems and needs relatingto access for persons with disabilities in the State in order to providerecommendations in the improvement of laws and services;

(7)  Serve as the designated state agency tocoordinate the efforts of the State to comply with the requirements of the Americanswith Disabilities Act for access to services, employment, telecommunications,and facility and site design;

(8)  Provide technical assistance and guidance to, butnot limited to, state and county entities in order to meet the requirements ofstate, federal, and county laws providing for access for persons withdisabilities through public education programs and other voluntary complianceefforts; and

(9)  Administer funds allocated for its work,including disbursement and allocation of funds that may be available frompublic and private sources; provided that such disbursement and allocationshall be consistent with the specific requirements and purposes of thischapter. [L 1999, c 282, pt of §2]