Serving Philadelphia since 1972
Our purpose is clear.
We’re focused on creating opportunities for Deaf individuals to become more participatory members of Philadelphia through work, fellowship and community activism.
Access
We provide a range of communication access programs including ASL Interpreting Services, ASL classes and other advocacy and training programs that expand accessibility.
Programs
We offer a wide variety of community based programs geared toward different needs and segments of our community, including young adults, parents of deaf and job seekers.
Advocacy
We serve as a local resource agency and provide advocacy services that help Philadelphia businesses and community members become a more inclusive place for Deaf residents.
About DHCC
In 1972, Lillian Hoshauer, a Deaf woman, and other committed individuals, including Doris Stettler and April Nelson, founded a non-profit organization, the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc. (DHCC) for the purposes of promoting communication access and cultural awareness.
Our communication services include sign language interpreting and CART (real-time captioning). Our education services include ASL classes, sensitivity training and workshops. We advocate for individuals to help them gain communication access to services, businesses, educational institutions and their own places of employment.
Download Our Annual Reports
We're a nonprofit organization who, through our own programs and the work we do with local partners, businesses and individuals,
makes our region more inclusive.
People at DHCC
DHCC is a non-profit organization managed by a Board of Directors. The Board designates day-to-day management and authority to the Executive Director who in turn designates responsibilities to staff. DHCC is governed by a set of bylaws and one of the most important is to maintain a Deaf and hard of hearing consumer majority. Lillian Hoshauer, a Deaf woman, had the vision to establish DHCC and it is important to us to receive direction from and be accountable to the people we serve.
Neil McDevitt
Tanya Sturgis
Ken Wesler
Janine Stephan
Kamea Curry
Sam Albany
Peri Himsel
Sara Patterson
Julie Suen
Katie Lafferty
Joe Riggio
Christina Satterly
Tammy Vondra
Karen Leslie-Henry
Joy Harris
Todd Miller
Pat Pomroy
Marsha Miceli
Richard Budney
Sara Nović
Charles McFadden
Ibukun Odunlami
Lillian Hoshauer
April Nelson
Todd Miller
Ben Magee
Kevin Schaffer
Colleen Schaffer
Alesya Starayeva
Dominic Gordine
Connie Wallace
Paulette Fisher
Charles McGowan
Teraca Florence
Neil McDevitt
Tanya Sturgis
Joy Harris
JoAnn Chapman
Maribel Escarfullery
June Goodwin
Mary Hesser
Neil McDevitt
Marge McHenry
Nancy Neff
Sarah Reed
Heather Schmerman
Brian Smith
DHCC is looking for new Board members with vision and a passion to serve.
Since our founding in 1972, the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC) has been recognized as the most effective organization in promoting communication accessibility and cultural awareness for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people in the Philadelphia region. The Board, with a majority of Deaf and hard of hearing members, and staff guide us in our accomplishments.
DHCC is most interested in finding individuals to serve on our board who share our passion to improve communication access. The applicant should have some volunteer experience and prior Board experience is an asset. We have a need of someone who would be able to advise us on legal matters as they arise during board meetings and in the office. We also have a need of individuals with skills in marketing, human resources, technology, and/or fundraising.
DHCC has a by-law that mandates us to have a majority of Deaf and hard of hearing Board members. We encourage individuals with a hearing loss to apply. Other individuals that make good Board members are those with a family member with a hearing loss. Please review information about us throughout the website and the short description of Board member duties and expectations by clicking here or the button below.