Southern California
Association for the Deaf
Deaf Ability Resources
Inspires Innovative Solutions to Enrich the Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities, Focusing on Individuals Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Deaf Ability Resource, Inc. (DAR) was founded in 2014 in response to a growing need for individualized, comprehensive services for persons with disabilities focused on those who are deaf and hard of hearing. DAR assists our clients with personal development, employment readiness, job placement and retention, as well as other supports that reinforce self-determination and lead to self-sufficiency.
Darla Kim CEO
Darla brings to Deaf Ability Resource a record of exceptional leadership and strategic vision with a broad knowledge of Deaf culture, American Sign Language, and the business of providing employment and supportive services to persons with disabilities. Darla served 7 years appointed from the state of CA to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee and continues to advocate for equal access and opportunity for all populations at every level of legislation.
Prior to providing social services to the community, Darla served internationally as a missionary to 25 different countries. Darla uses this experience in embracing culture, language, and people in all she does and understands that relationships are the treasure of life. Darla is a mother and grandmother and loves to spend time with her family. Her love of reading, travel, and music brings her much joy and her work is really who she is and not just what she does.
Aracely Hernandez Program Manager
Aracely graduated from California State University, Northridge with Bachelors degree in Deaf Studies. She is a Deaf Latina woman who was born and raised in Los Angeles. Aracely is tri-lingual in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language with a love for people, learning about different cultures, food, and beautiful places our planet has to offer. Aracely brings a high level of expertise in building her team to bring the best possible outcome of success for our clients.
Julia Kim Grants & Compliance Manager
Julia is a 2017 graduate from Purdue University Global with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration with a Focus in Marketing. Prior to finishing her education, Julia helped to create the branding associated with Deaf Ability Resource including their logo, website, social media, various advertisements, and brochures. She focuses her efforts on reaching DAR's potential consumers, employers, and partners with creative strategies to expand their presence online as well as ensuring all accounting and tax documents for DAR are in compliance.
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Juan Uriona Program Manager PWD
Juan graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Los Angeles and has over ten years' experience creating branding for various companies. Prior to working with DAR he collaborated to create the branding for the company including the logo. Juan is constantly meeting the movers and shakers of Southern California and connecting them with Deaf Ability Resource on a daily basis. He is fluent in English and Spanish has a heart for people of all abilities and helping them achieve their success.
Laura Sanchez LA County Lead Career Service Specialist
Laura began working at DAR as a Job Coach and transitioned into a Lead Career Service Specialist position assisting clients with job search activities. She is bi-lingual English and Spanish speaker and a vocational signer working on her Bachelors degree in Deaf Studies. Laura has worked with clients of multiple abilities for over three years. She is very passionate about working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as well as people in need of assistance in finding employment to become self-sufficient.
Jaspreet Ghotra Orange County Career Service Specialist
Jaspreet was born in the beautiful motherland, India, and moved to America with her wonderful family when she was four years old. She was raised in Washington, and Oregon from 1990, and now lives in California. Jaspreet is proudly Deaf and Indian. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a Bachelor's degree in Deaf Studies. Jaspreet is very passionate about giving back to the Deaf community, she loves to teach, and simply believes people deserve to have an opportunity to achieve success.
Hadel Somo PVSA Instructor/Job Coach
Hadel is a Deaf Chaldean from Iraq. She was born and raised in Batnaya, Iraq. She currently lives in Los Angeles. She is a California State University, Northridge (CSUN) alumni with a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies with a concentration in ASL Literature. She is a part-time ASL Pals via online from Gallaudet University and also, she is an ASL instructor for parenting program from Greater Los Angeles on Deafness, Inc. Lastly, I love seeking to find an opportunity to work unity and passion for all the Deaf community. And, I am also fully supporting to have access to 100 percent of communication and information with Deaf and hard of hearing people. This is a main reason why D/deaf people can succeed in their way of paths.
Preston Kim Legal Advisor
Preston is a UCLA graduate with a post graduate degree from Southwestern Law School. He frequently consults Deaf Ability Resource on Compliance, Policy and Procedure, as well as Human Resources. He has a heart for the disenfranchised and advocates on every level for justice.
Derek Kim Digital Media Artist
Derek holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from OTIS College of Art and Design with a focus in Digital Media and Animation. He is employed by an international toy company but makes time for Deaf Ability Resource in providing character development for DAR's annual calenDAR and video animation as needs arise.
Board of Directors
Ronald Gough
Retired
Department of Rehabilitation
Sierra Madre, CA
Kathi Cluck
Elementary School Assistant
American Leadership Academy Charter School
Tuscon, AZ
Stephanie Wu
Production Designer
PTM Imaging
West Hollywood, CA
Margaret Esquiroz, Esq.
Attorney/ASL interpreter
Encino, CA
Derek Kim
Digital Media and Animatior
Mattel Inc.
Century City, CA
Contact
14252 Culver Dr. Ste. A #523
Irvine, CA 92604
Serving all of Southern California
Video Phone: (323)747-8021