ORANGE COUNTY DEAF EQUAL ACCESS FOUNDATION INC Information

The Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation, better known as OC DEAF, was established in 1979 as an outreach office of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc. (GLAD). Today, OC DEAF is an independent, tax-exempt, non-profit organization with affiliate ties to GLAD. Founded on the principal of "of, by and for the deaf and hard of hearing," which promotes hiring of deaf and hard of hearing employees to provide service to their peers, OC DEAF is dedicated to improving the social, economic, health, education, and cultural well being of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Over the years, OC DEAF, through its individual consumer service provision to no more than ten thousand individuals annually, has dramatically improved the quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing persons and their families. Recognizing the diversity of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community, OC DEAF believes firmly in the concept of personal choice. Any person, regardless of hearing loss or communication mode, is welcome at OC DEAF. The ultimate goal of OC DEAF's service provision is to ensure the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community's equal access to all of the opportunities afforded to the larger hearing community. To this end, OC DEAF provides wide array of health, human, employment, and community services that are designed to break down barriers, educate, fll in gaps, and create opportunity. The mission of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc. (GLAD) is to ensure equal access of the deaf and hard of hearing community to the same opportunities afforded their hearing counterparts. The organization's general purposes and powers are directed around the promotion of the social, recreational, cultural, educational, and vocational well-being of its deaf and hard of hearing constituents. GLAD's specific and primary purpose is to act as a coordinating agency that addresses the broad social service needs of deaf and hard of hearing people through direct service provision, advocacy, research and dissemination of information regarding deafness to parents, professionals and consumers. GLAD has been improving the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing since its creation as a volunteer organization in 1969. GLAD is committed to the philosophy “…of, by, for and with the deaf and hard of hearing.” In accordance with Chapter 1193, Statutes of 1980, GLAD includes deaf and hard of hearing individuals at all levels of the organization. GLAD is dedicated to improving the overall well being of the deaf and hard of hearing community, whereby the Executive Director and 51% of the Board and/or staff are deaf or hard of hearing. Recognizing the diversity of the community, GLAD believes firmly in the concept of personal choice. All persons, regardless of hearing loss or communication mode, as well as race, sex or creed, are welcome at GLAD.