(1) Under the supervision of the department, the division shall do all of the following:

  (a) Advocate for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons who encounter communication and other difficulties in employment, education, public accommodation, public service, and housing.

  (b) Work closely with all public and privately funded organizations that provide developmental, educational, financial, preventative, protective, placement, recreational, rehabilitative, or health services to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons.

  (c) Encourage providers of services to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons to improve the quality and coordination of their delivery systems.

  (d) Provide information on deafness to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons and the public.

  (e) Provide information and referral services to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons to ensure that their rights are protected.

  (f) Provide information to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons on programs and services provided for them by each level of government.

  (g) Promote new services, when necessary, for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons.

  (h) Sponsor or cosponsor conferences, workshops, or seminars to educate deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons and the public about deafness.

  (i) Maintain statistics, facts, and data pertaining to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons of all ages and degrees of hearing loss.

  (j) Provide technical assistance to state agencies and the public regarding communication accessibility for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons.

  (k) Coordinate with state agencies, the legislature, and the governor on requests for direct interpreter services.

  (l) Fulfill its duties under the deaf persons’ interpreters act, 1982 PA 204, MCL 393.501 to 393.509.

  (2) The division may assess reasonable fees for conferences sponsored or cosponsored by the division, the use of materials developed by the division, and for services provided by the division.