OC Deaf - Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation
About Us
Learn more about OC Deaf’s story, mission, advisory board, and OC Deaf staff.
About Us
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. Over the years, OC-DEAF, through its individual consumer service provision to more than ten thousand individuals annually, has dramatically improved the quality of life of deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled persons and their families.
Mission
The mission of the Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation (OC DEAF) is to ensure equal access of the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled 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 welfare of its deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled constituents.
OC DEAF’s specific and primary purpose is to act as a coordinating agency that addresses the broad social service needs of deaf, hard of hearing deafblind and deaf disabled people through direct service provision, advocacy, research and dissemination of information regarding deafness to parents, professionals and consumers.
OC DEAF is committed to the philosophy of “…of, by, for and with the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled.” In accordance with Chapter 1193, Statutes of 1980, OC DEAF includes deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled individuals at all levels of the organization.
OC DEAF is dedicated to improving the overall well being of the deaf, hard of hearing deafblind and deaf disabled Community. It is founded on the philosophy “of, by and for the deaf,” whereby the Director, 51% of the Board and/or staff are deaf or hard of hearing. Recognizing the diversity of the deaf community, OC DEAF 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 OC DEAF.
History
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 under the jurisdiction of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
Founded on the principal “of, by, for and with the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled”, which promotes the hiring of deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled employees to provide services to their peers, OC DEAF is dedicated to improving the social, economic, health, education and well-being of the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled community.
Over the years, OC DEAF, through its individual consumer service provision to more than ten thousand individuals annually, has dramatically improved the quality of life for deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled persons and their families.
The ultimate goal of OC DEAF’s service provision is to ensure the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled community’s equal access to all of the opportunities afforded to the public hearing community. OC DEAF provides a wide array of health, human employment and community services designed to break down barriers, educate, fill gaps and create opportunities.
Advisory Board
The purpose of the OC DEAF Advisory board is to financially support the goals and mission of OC DEAF through fund raising and deaf community activities. The OC DEAF Advisory Board is responsible for coordinating major fund raising events, and developing recommendations regarding deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled community activities, grants, requests for proposals, and other potential funding or community building sources.
OC DEAF Staff:
Alicia Catalan – Regional Director
Lizbeth Reynoso – Administrative Assistant
Joanna Hinojosa – Community Advocate
Tanya Eustace – Family Educator / Deaf Coach
Support Us
With your support, we can achieve even more—by meeting the needs of newborns, children, teens, adults and senior citizens through additional programs that enhance the lives of deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and deaf disabled people everywhere.