Agency Details:

Deaf Counseling Advocacy And Referral Agency (DCARA)

DCARA promotes self-determination, independence, and celebration of American Sign Language among a diverse Deaf Community regardless of their communication background through its services and programs.

Description:
DCARA provides its clients and communities with the resources, access and counseling services they need to make independent decisions in a variety of situations. In addition, DCARA provides the hearing community with information about the Deaf community and working and living with persons who are Deaf, Deaf-blind, Deafened and hard of hearing, as well as collaborating with other agencies to ensure that their services are more accessible to population that DCARA serves.

History:
In the early 1960's, a group of deaf leaders began DCARA as an all-volunteer agency. Working with other members of the California Association of the Deaf, local churches, and the deaf community, this dedicated group created an agency that would provide interpreting referrals, children's reading assistance, foster parent programs and social activities for deaf seniors. It was incorporated in 1962 as a non-profit agency, under the name of East Bay Counseling and Referral Agency, Inc. (EBCRAD). From meetings in basements, kitchens, and garages of deaf people, the agency grew to be the multi-office agency it is today. In 1976, EBCRAD changed its name to Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA) so that the most important word in the name, "deaf," would be listed alphabetically in the telephone directory. In 1978, DCARA was chosen to be part of a test project to prove that agencies serving deaf could and should be run "Of, By and For the Deaf." The success of that project led to the formation of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Deaf Access Office. We have continued to operate under this philosophy.

Contact people:

Jim Brune, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Leona Galindo, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email) Christine Kanta, Assistant, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (510) 343-1790

Address:

14895 E. 14th Street Suite 200 San Leandro, CA 94578 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.dcara.org

Last updated on December 11, 2009