The mission of GLAD’s Human Services Department is to provide support and to advance the life of deaf and hard of hearing individuals by empowering them with information, training and opportunities. Human Services also provides training and technical assistance to hearing service providers, employers and community organizations & agencies. GLAD’s Community Advocates and Specialists work with consumers, businesses and service providers to resolve issues or problems concerning communication barriers and other challenges in seven categories:
Communication Assistance
- Free use of videophones during working hours, document translation, and equipment demonstrations
Peer Counseling
- Referrals to appropriate mental health providers, counselors and support groups
Advocacy
- Legal, education, and civil rights, consumer related issues and dispute resolution, IEPs, tip sheets on variety of topics, work with employers, doctors, lawyers and businesses to obtain communication access, attorney referrals
Independent Living Skills
- Develop skills for money management, banking, housing, cooking, shopping, computers, and transportation
Employment Assistance
- Vocational planning and job counseling, sensitivity and communication access trainings for employers and referrals to Employment Development Department (EDD), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and others
Information & Referral
- Where to find services, flyers for community events, lists of accessible businesses and deaf/hard of hearing owned businesses
Community Education & Outreach
- Free workshops on Social Security, Jobs, Disaster Preparedness, Domestic Violence and Identity Theft, free training for employers service providers on working effectively with people who are deaf and hard of hearing, community events and American Sign Language classes (small class fee)
Parent Connections
Parent Connections is a program funded by the California Community Foundation that links families of deaf and hard of hearing children/youth to information, health care services, early intervention programs and to other parents residing in Los Angeles County. The goal is to empower families through education, training and support. Parents become informed participants in education, medical and social decisions that have a life-long impact on their deaf or hard of hearing child.
Parent Connections provides parent group meetings, one-on-one support, advocacy and referral services. It offers information and training to service providers within the early intervention system and to the medical community about the needs specific to deaf and hard of hearing people.
Download the Parent Connections Brochure (English)
Download the Parent Connections Brochure (Spanish)
Parent Connections services
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Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (HH&LD)
Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (HH&LD) is a service designed for hard of hearing and late deafened individuals.
Whether we are born with a hearing loss or acquired later in life as a child, teen or adult, the experience can be challenging. Hearing loss varies greatly. The spectrum ranges from a mild loss to profound deafness.
If you were born hearing and began to lose your hearing later in life, it takes some time to adjust to life with a hearing loss. Growing up hard of hearing is also unique. At GLAD, the Hard of Hearing Specialist can help you access information and resources which will empower you to live better with a hearing loss.
Download the GLAD HH&LD Brochure (English)
Services
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Resources
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Ask an Advocate
Want referrals to local businesses and agencies? Need to schedule interpreters for your communication needs? Facing discrimination issues? Want information about the ADA and other laws? Interested in learning sign language? Are you the parent of a deaf child and need resources? Want to work in the deaf and hard of hearing community? Ask an advocate!
Email: info@gladinc.org
