Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Deaf Peer Mentor Doreen Solar provides the following Independent Living Services:

ECNV's Mission
Meet Deaf Peer Counselor Doreen Solar
Peer Counseling Services
Independent Living Skills Training Services
Information and Referral Services
Consumer Advocacy Services
Assistive Technology Services
Doreen's Publications (newsletter, vlog and blog entries)
Contact Information

ECNV's Mission

Transcript

ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV’s) mission is to END dependence through the empowerment of all persons with all types of disabilities living in the Northern Virginia area, who live and work in Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, and Loudoun.

[ top ]

Meet Deaf Peer Mentor Doreen Solar

Transcript

Hello, my name is Doreen Solar. Let me explain briefly about myself. Since 2007, I have been a Peer Counselor for ECNV.

I was born to a deaf mother and a hard of hearing father in Chicago. I am fluent in ASL.

I came to Washington, D.C. in 1998 to study at Gallaudet University
where I obtained both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Social Work.

I am passionate about working with deaf and hard of hearing people to empower them to live independently. I also want to be a positive role model in the Deaf Community to show them that they can be anything they want to be.

[ top ]

Peer Counseling Services

Transcript

ECNV's Four Core Services. They are offered free of charge.

I will provide unique service of assisting other person who are deaf or hard of hearing with achieving one’s independent living goals.

For example: I will work one-on-one with an individual through direct communication and ASL. The objective is to help identify and explore options and resolve some conflicts such as employment opportunities, communication barriers, etc.

[ top ]

Independent Living Skills Training Services

Transcript

Personal budget training I provide independent living skills training that will improve an individual’s ability to live more independently.

Example: I will show the individual how to manage a personal budget,
improve their literacy skills, deal with insensitive and discriminatory behaviors of others, and many more.

[ top ]

Information and Referral Services

Transcript

I have extensive knowledge of local deaf and hard of hearing related resources and will work with an individual to locate the community resources.

[ top ]

Consumer Advocacy Services

Transcript

I will assist in obtaining necessary support services from other agencies in the community.

Example: I will provide assistance with personal advocacy issues, such as rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SSA appeals, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.

[ top ]

Assistive Technology Services

Transcript

Video phone call I can teach the individual how to use a TTY, how to make videophone calls, and familiarize them with the latest in technology for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.