Deaf Action Center’s Non-Profit Interpreting Agency is Making Strides
WEBSITE: http://www.dactexas.org
Deaf Action Center
3115 Crestview
Dallas, Texas 75235
April 15, 2015
For further information, contact:
Heather Hughes, Executive Director
214-521-0407 (V) or 214-377-1898 (VP)
Deaf Action Center’s Non-Profit Interpreting Agency is Making Strides
DALLAS, TX — For 35 years, Deaf Action Center has served the DFW community by being the only non-profit sign language interpreting agency whose mission is solely focused to serve deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Now, they are breaking new ground.
Spearheading these efforts is DAC’s new Communication Access Department Manager, Eric Patterson. Eric, a Wichita-Falls transplant, understands first-hand the obstacles the interpreting market faces – the national interpreter shortage, lack of certification standards, unfair business practices – but remains resolute that change is possible.
“I am energized by the challenges we face,” says Eric. “Through well-paced, intentional policy revisions and a ‘right fit’ approach for placing skilled interpreters with consumers, we can improve communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing community in DFW.”
As a standard practice, DAC has always used interpreting services as a non-profit social enterprise, generating the funds needed to operate their senior citizen and housing programs. Recently however, new leadership has recognized the agency and its critical role in the community can be leveraged to achieve so much more. DAC also realizes the need to provide career opportunities for talented deaf and hard of hearing individuals. By employing an all-inclusive staff, the organization is redefining what it means to have Deaf-centric management model.
Executive Director Heather Hughes comments, “For many years, deaf have been excluded from the process, unaware of what goes on behind the scenes at agencies. One of DAC’s primary objectives is to foster an alliance between these two communities that will lead to the greater empowerment of deaf consumers.”
In keeping with this initiative, Deaf Action Center hosted Deafhood Foundation’s “Journey into Deafhood” and “Allies in Deafhood” sessions. These two nationally recognized workshops were presented in the DFW metroplex for the first time ever at DAC’s Dallas offices in January and attracted a total of 36 participants. The success of these events is indicative of the growing need for consumer advocacy – a need that DAC’s new Communication Access Department is ready to meet through training and outreach.
As Dallas/Fort Worth’s only deaf-centered, non-profit interpreting agency, Deaf Action Center endeavors to set an example of fair business practices, consumer-minded service, and faithfulness to what has been their mission for the past 35 years, and for many years to come:
“Providing those who are deaf and hard of hearing the means to ensure advancement through education, economic security, and good health.”
CONTACT PERSON NAME: Heather Hughes
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
CONTACT TELEPHONE #: 214-377-1898