|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 and hard of hearing", which promotes the hiring of deaf and hard of hearing employees to provide services to their peers, OC DEAF is dedicated to improving the social, economic, health, education and well-beiing of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing 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 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 OCDEAF.
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 larder hearing community. To that end, OC DEAF provides a wide array of health, human employment and community services designed to break down barriers, educate, fill gaps and create opportunity.