FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jennifer Pesek, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer.Pesek@deaflaw.org

California Center for Law and the Deaf - www.deaflaw.org

(877) DEAFLAW [332-3529] Toll free Voice & TTY (510) 483-0922 Video Phone

CalCLAD Announces Agency’s New Direction!

The Board of Directors of the California Center for Law and the Deaf (CalCLAD) wishes to announce that effective July 1, 2008, CalCLAD will establish itself as an independent legal services agency. This marks the end of a thirty-year affiliation with Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency. Doing so will enable CalCLAD to better serve the Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in their legal needs.

The Board and CalCLAD’s interim Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Pesek are excited to begin this new journey. Over the past year, the board and the agency have refocused the agency’s mission and scope of services. It is with great pride that we embark on this new phase of the agency.

CalCLAD’s mission is to promote the advancement of civil rights through empowerment and advocacy. CalCLAD’s current scope of services include client services, advocacy, community education and outreach and consultation. Referrals may occur when necessary, to outside legal services. CalCLAD’s refocus will increase the depth and quality of its legal services, allow it to better respond to community needs, and provide more opportunities for expansion of services.

Formed in 1978, CalCLAD is committed to the protection and advancement of legal rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Since 1978, CalCLAD has been affiliated with Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA). DCARA is a community-based nonprofit agency which assists Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to live more independently and productively. Both DCARA and CalCLAD operate with the philosophy of “of, by and for” Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

CalCLAD’s past accomplishments include:
- Legislation with California State Legislature, including the Deaf Education Coalition and the Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights;
- Intervention with hospitals and police departments for provision of interpreting services;
- Increased accessibility to highway and freeway call boxes;
- Equal opportunities for employees of Federal Express: and
- Settlement with San Francisco Airport in physical restructuring for access

CalCLAD will host a series of town hall meetings to connect with the Deaf and hard-of -hearing communities. Please check www.deaflaw.org for updates and schedule of these town hall meetings.