Eliminate communication barriers
Deaf Virtual Assistants (DVA) provides a wide array of services to ensure access to communication, gainful employment, empowering Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind individuals and their families, as well as providing education, training, advocacy, and youth development needs. As DVA is the leader in the provision of services focused on the needs of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind communities, their families, and supporting agencies/businesses, we are here to help.
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DVA's mission is to empower the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind and to promote access to communication, services, and events in the community. DVA’s envisions a community where there are no communication barriers facing Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind individuals.
We empower those faced with language barriers by promoting access to communication. Our resources help those who have hearing loss or are non-Albanian/Macedonian/Serbian users to fully access those languages in communicating with others. Headquartered in Prishtina, Skopje, and Tirana with satellite offices serving in Belgrad and Podgorica, DVA is the largest provider of services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind in Balkan.
DVA works hard to empower the communities we serve.
Interpreting Services
High quality interpreting services in order to address the communication needs for the communities we serve.
- ASL Interpreting: DVA provides in person and remote Kosovo Signs Language, Albanian Sign Language, Macedonian Signe Language, Serbien Signs Language interpreting to address the communication needs of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-blind individuals in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, business, medical, government, legal, educational, training, mental health and more. Need an interpreter? Contact us Now.
- Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI): A Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is a specialist who is a Deaf individual themselves and provides interpreting services utilizing all the Sign Languages above and other visual and tactual communication forms used by individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-blind. Need a CDI? Contact us to make a request.
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Video remote interpreting is an interpreting service that uses devices such as web cameras or videophones to provide sign language interpreting services. This is done through a remote or offsite interpreter through safe and secure platforms, in order to communicate with individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Need to schedule a remote interpreter? Contact us to make a request.
Employment Services
We offer support to persons with disabilities on deciding on a career, how to get a job, and new job training.
Our goal through Disability Manpower (www.dismanpower.com) at DVA is to empower, support, and advocate for our consumers to have all the tools necessary to be successful in the world of work. Some of our common services are highlighted below.
With CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation and through a partnership with OOD, DVA is able to offer a variety of vocational-related services to persons with disabilities in order to obtain or maintain employment.
Our certified staff will help consumers with community-based assessments, work incentive programs, how to navigate Social Security and employment, how to create a resume, interview for a job, and maintain gainful employment.
DVA can provide education to employers on how to work with individuals who have disabilities. Please contact us to find out more information on how we can partner to provide more access and opportunities to individuals in the workplace with disabilities.
Youth Services
We help youth who are deaf or hard of hearing learn about themselves and develop interpersonal skills.
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- Deaf Youth Leadership Program
Our Deaf Youth Leadership Program includes Career Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth as well as our Deaf Kids and Teens Club. In partnership with the Columbus Hearing Impaired Program and the Deaf School for the Deaf, the Career Options program, located at Dominion Middle School and Upper Arlington, educates middle school students on career choices and encourages participants to consider college or trade school to assist them in becoming gainfully employed upon graduating high school.
In addition, the Deaf Kids & Teens Club provides opportunities for youth ages 9-18 to interact with successful deaf adults and develop positive self-esteem and confidence, while having a great time. The Deaf Youth Leadership Program helps youth who are deaf or hard of hearing learn about themselves and develop interpersonal skills with the goal of helping them reach their fullest potential to become productive adults.
- Deaf Kids and Teens Club & Kids of Deaf Adults
The Deaf Kids and Teens Club and Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) program provide opportunities for youth ages 9-18 to interact with successful deaf adults and develop positive self-esteem and confidence while having a great time. Youth who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have parents who are Deaf learn about themselves and develop interpersonal skills with the goal of helping them reach their fullest potential to become productive adults.
Advocacy Services
Empowering people to overcome communication barriers and access community resources.
Deaf staff help community members in finding housing, understanding their bills, help with Social Security, and much more.
Advocacy services are designed to assist Deaf and hard of hearing people in all those countries to become fully participating members of the community. Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees work toward empowering other Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to overcome communication barriers and access community resources.
DVA employees act as a catalyst in the development of consumers’ problem-solving skills, independent living abilities, and self-advocacy skills.
Education
Presentations on a variety of topics, including KSL, ASL, MSL, SSL, Deaf culture, and interpreting.
DVA supports full inclusion for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing in all community activities and advocates on their behalf. Assistance is offered to individuals to help them understand their rights, as well as to companies and organizations to understand their obligations. DVA employees are available to present on a variety of topics, including Kosovo Sign Language, Albanian Sign Language, Macedonian Sign Language, Serbian Sign Language, Deaf culture, and interpreting.
DVA employees are subject matter experts in the field of deafness and hearing loss in areas such as accessibility, communication access, and Deaf Culture. Other areas of expertise are an explanation of what interpreting is and why it is important to hire an interpreter, education on working with deaf employees, and how to work with transition youth.
Balkan Camp Experience
Balkan Camp provides a communication barrier-free, overnight camp experience that empowers each camper.
This Camp has been created and designed specifically for kids with hearing loss in mind; so all communication at camp will be geared toward each camper’s level of communication. Balkan Camp provides a communication barrier-free, overnight camp experience that empowers each camper.
To provide an overnight camp without communication barriers that empower each kid with hearing loss to realize their full potential through the celebration of their individual identity!
ASL, KSL, MSL, and SSL, will be used throughout camp, as well as other forms of visual and oral communication. Each and every camper’s communication style is valued which results in the kids thriving in a safe, nurturing, and fun atmosphere of friendship! Geared for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids aged 7-18, Balkan Camp is a unique camp experience they will never forget.
Our Vision Statement
We envision the creation of an inclusive, educational, fun, barrier-free environment where kids with hearing loss recognize their full potential through the development of communication skills, leadership potential, self-actualization, and empowerment.
