The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has made education a central focus of its 51st Biennial Conference on July 3-7, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to an entire track of workshops dedicated to education and educational advocacy, one of our plenary sessions will feature CEASD President Dr. Ronald J. Stern on Wednesday July 4, 2012 at 3:45 pm.
Dr. Ronald Stern is renowned for his expertise and experience in the field of deaf education as the Superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf, as well as the current President of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD). He was born in Philadelphia and grew up in New York City attending a variety of schools, and then earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Gallaudet University and a master's degree in deaf education from California State University, Northridge. He obtained his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico in 2008. Prior to his current position, Dr. Stern was a classroom teacher, principal, and Director of Instruction mostly at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont spanning 25 years.
In his role as CEASD President, Dr. Stern began and leads the Child First campaign, in partnership with the NAD, to prioritize the determination of the individual deaf child’s language and communication needs and to ensure that the child’s individual strengths and needs drive the IEP and educational placement decisions. He will share the vision and plans for the Child First campaign in his plenary presentation.
“CEASD President and NMSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Stern is the ideal keynote speaker to present on the need for educational advocacy at our 51st Biennial NAD Conference,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins. “The NAD and CEASD are partners in this initiative to promote quality education for all deaf and hard of hearing children.”
The 51st Biennial NAD Conference, with the theme of “Nothing About Us, Without Us!” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Louisville and the Kentucky International Convention Center from July 3-7, 2012. Workshops, plenaries, exhibits, and traditional events such as the NAD College Bowl, Miss Deaf America Ambassador Competition are on the schedule along with Opening Ceremonies at a baseball game, 4th of July Kentucky Association of the Deaf steamboat benefit cruise and a NAD Benefit BBQ on the closing day of the Conference and DeaFestival. For the first time, the NAD is partnering with the famed DeaFestival Kentucky, which will bring deaf performing and visual artists -- a feast for the eyes!
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.
The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans.
The NAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of individual and organizational donors, including corporations and foundations.
The deadline to submit priority proposals is now extended to June 9, 2012. If you missed the opportunity to submit a priority proposal, please do so now!
The NAD Board of Directors welcomes submissions from individual members and organizational affiliates for proposed priorities for the next two years (2012-2014). These tend to be issues-oriented in nature, with focus on advocacy issues of importance that can be accomplished within a two-year timeframe. Proposed priorities will be presented to and voted upon by individual and affiliate members (General Forum); the top 30 proposals will then be narrowed down to the top 20 priorities for 2012-2014 by vote of official delegates (Council of Representatives) at the 51st Biennial NAD Conference. These then go to the NAD Board of Directors for follow up action during 2012-2014. There are two ways to submit priority proposals:
Email (open and print PDF form; complete, scan and submit via e-mail)
Fax (open and print PDF form; complete and submit via fax)
One form must be submitted for each priority proposal; multiple forms may be submitted.
- Click here for Guidelines on Writing Priority Proposals
- Click here to download the Priority Proposal Form (Online)
- Click here to download the Priority Proposal Form (MS Word document)
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard will address a plenary session on Friday, July 6, at 3:45 p.m. in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom during the 51st Biennial NAD Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, July 3-7, 2012.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that Colin Allen, president of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) will be the keynote speaker during the Opening Ceremonies of the 51st Biennial NAD Conference, July 3-7, 2012 in Louisville, KY.
WFD President Allen was elected by delegates to the WFD General Assembly just prior to the World Congress of the WFD held July 2011 in Durban, South Africa. Mr. Allen, who is from Australia, has worked extensively over the years with the WFD both as a board member and a project coordinator. He has been involved in various development cooperation projects all over the world and led local and national deaf associations in Australia. Previously he was actively involved in camp activities of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section. Currently Mr. Allen serves as the Director of Services for the Deaf Society of New South Wales.
“We are deeply honored to welcome WFD President Colin Allen and members of the WFD Board to the 51st Biennial NAD Conference,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve as host for and partner with WFD in celebration of its 100th Board meeting, a historic milestone.”
The WFD Board meets from June 29 to July 3 just prior to the start of the NAD Conference, after which time they will have the opportunity to mingle and meet with Conference and DeaFestival attendees all week. WFD President Colin Allen will lead a workshop with WFD Board members on the global significance of the WFD and its work on Wednesday, July 4, and WFD Vice President Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen will provide a briefing on United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on Thursday, July 5.
The 51st Biennial NAD Conference, with the theme of “Nothing About Us, Without Us!” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Louisville and the Kentucky International Convention Center. Workshops, plenaries, exhibits, and traditional events such as the NAD College Bowl, Miss Deaf America Ambassador Competition are on the schedule along with Opening Ceremonies at a baseball game, 4th of July Kentucky Association of the Deaf steamboat benefit cruise and a NAD Benefit BBQ on the closing day of the Conference and DeaFestival. For the first time, the NAD is partnering with the famed DeaFestival Kentucky, which will bring deaf performing and visual artists -- a feast for the eyes!
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.
The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans.
On the international front, the NAD represents the United States of America to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an international human rights organization.
The NAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of individual and organizational donors, including corporations and foundations.
For further information about the Conference, please visit, www.nad.org/louisville.
Due to the increasing number of Deaf-Blind registrants, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Access Interpreting (Access) are re-opening the Call for Deaf Interpreters and extending the deadline to May 30, 2012. Please join our team of interpreters at the 51st Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference in Louisville, Kentucky and make this the best Conference yet! The Conference will take place in Louisville, Kentucky from July 3-7, 2012. For more information about the NAD Conferene, please go to: http://nad.org/louisville.
If you wish to begin your application process, please email us at NADTerps@ainterpreting.com.
If you have any questions, please email us at NADTerps@ainterpreting.com.
If you are a Deaf-Blind person who wants to request interpreting services or other accomodations, please complete the form at: http://www.nad.org/louisville/accessibility.
The deadline for accessibility requests is May 31, 2012. The NAD cannot commit to accessibility needs requested after May 31, 2012, including the week of the conference.
We look forward to working with you!
On behalf of the NAD Board of Directors, the 2012 NAD Elections Committee is now seeking qualified candidates for Board service. Elections will be held on July 6, 2012, during the 51st Biennial Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
All interested individuals must first review and agree to adhere to NAD Elections Policies and Procedures, before submitting their completed candidacy application to the 2012 NAD Elections Committee (Deadline Sunday, June 3, 2012). Once certified by the Elections Committee, candidates will be notified of their official candidacy status. Candidates for officer positions must commit to a two-year term; regional representative positions require a four-year commitment.
Click here for the Call for Candidates and Elections Policies and Procedures.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that Access Interpreting (AI), a Deaf- and CODA-owned agency providing sign language interpreting services in the DC-metro area, will be coordinating interpreter services for the 51st Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, July 3-7, 2012 at the Louisville Regency Hyatt.
The NAD is issuing a call for hearing/Deaf interpreters and Support Service Providers (SSP)s. Please join our team of sign language interpreters and help make the 2012 NAD Conference the best yet!
Do you have conference interpreting experience? Want to contribute to the deaf and hard of hearing community? Come and be part of our Hearing/Deaf Interpreting Team at the 51st Biennial NAD Conference!
NAD seeks full-time and part-time interpreters/transiliterators who are NAD-RID NIC (Certified, Advanced, Master), NAD III, IV and V; or RID (CDI, CI, CT, (M)CSC) certified, with excellent skills and strong conference experience.
The NAD Conference offers an opportunity for professionals to work with a diverse team, build networks, and use skills in a setting that is unlike any other. Conference interpreters will have a wide variety of work options available to them:
- Platform: sign to voice, voice to sign, relay/feed
- Workshops: sign to voice, voice to sign, shadow
- Close-vision
- Tactile
- Entertainment: sign to voice
Download the Call for Interpreter flyer here.
Access Interpreting, working with the NAD, will provide sign language interpreting and Deaf/Blind interpreting coordination as part of their NAD Conference sponsorship. If you have any questions or wish to begin your application process, please e-mail NADTerps@ainterpreting.com.
The deadline for submitting your application and supporting materials is on April 13, 2012.
Hi from Louisville, Kentucky! My name is Cole Zulauf and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the 51st Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference from July 3-7, 2012. at the Hyatt Regency downtown in the historic city of Louisville, KY!
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD) are looking for volunteers to help with activities such as stuffing tote bags before the Conference, helping with the registration table, checking badges at the doors to NAD Conference events, providing support for out-of-town visitors at information services, assistance at specific events by helping their chairpersons and more. Please join our team of volunteers and help make the 2012 NAD Conference one to remember!
The NAD and KAD need a committed group of volunteers who can give their time during the week of July 1-7. Please bring your energy! People who submit their names will receive information about a system where the NAD will recognize and show our appreciation to volunteers for their time.
If you are interested in volunteering at the NAD Conference click here to submit your application through the KAD website under contact us form. We look forward to working with you this summer!
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules and asked for suggestions on how to improve Video Relay Services (VRS). The NAD first found out that the FCC was considering making reforms to VRS last summer. We have been working diligently along with other Consumer Groups representatives, to let the FCC know our concerns about possible changes to VRS and also improvements we would like to see. (Instructions on how to file at the bottom of the page).
The rulemaking has four key areas for reforms:
- TRS Broadband Pilot Program (TRSBPP)
- Better Technical Standards for VRS
- Change from a Per-Minute to a Per-User Reimbursement System
- Improvements to VRS Quality
1. TRSBPP
The TRSBPP program will make broadband access more affordable for many low-income deaf and hard of hearing people. This will allow some who never before could access VRS to enjoy this important service. It will also allow these people to make video calls to their friends and families. The NAD supports this great program, but believes that it should be funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF) which offers similar programs for hearing people. We don’t believe it’s fair for the TRS Fund to pay for this program. We also believe this program should also include training for deaf and hard of hearing people who are new to broadband.
2. Better Technical Standards for VRS
The NAD supports this proposed reform. It will improve interoperability between different video phones (VPs) and hopefully with off-shelf equipment. We know that many of our members continue to face problems trying to make calls from their VPs to a different VP.
3. Change from a Per-Minute to a Per-User Reimbursement System
This is the most important part of the rulemaking. The FCC wants to change the reimbursement system for VRS calls from the current per minute system to a per user system. What does this mean? Under the per user system, VRS companies would get a fixed amount of money for each customer for a specific time (for example, one year). This means that each person will have to pick one VRS provider and cannot use a different VRS provider for that year. The NAD believes that the per user system would cause many problems for our community.
Some of you may wonder why the FCC wants to change the reimbursement system. The FCC has explained that under the per minute system, VRS companies are motivated to bill for more minutes, and not all of these minutes are legal. The FCC believes that with a flat rate for each user, the companies won’t be motivated create illegal minutes.
The NAD believes that every government program faces problems with fraud, and that under both the per user and per minute systems, there will be fraud. Under the per user system, there are risks of different kinds of fraud – such as signing up people who don’t need VRS. The NAD urges the FCC to address fraud in a way that will not hurt the consumers.
The NAD believes that there are three major problems with the per-user reimbursement system:
First, the profit motives of VRS companies would change from one where they want us to make calls and to give us good service, to one where they want us to make less calls so that they make more money. Under the current per minute system, the more service they provide, the more money they make. If this is changed to a per user system, the less service they give, the more money they make. This means that under a per user system, VRS companies will focus on signing up customers who rarely use VRS and avoid those who are heavy VRS users. As a result, the quality of VRS services would likely get worse.
Second, under a per user system, people would have to use only one VRS provider and could not use any other for a specific period (for example, one year). We know that many deaf and hard of hearing people often choose different VRS providers for different reasons. Suppose you need to call someone during a non-911 emergency but you are not able to get through on the only VRS that you are allowed to use?
Third, in order to implement the per user system, the FCC will have to set up a system to register users who are real VRS users. If they do not, then VRS providers will sign up people who do not really use VRS. We are afraid that this registration system could be burdensome or intrusive. We might have to submit an audiogram or even take an American Sign Language (ASL) skill test in order to quality for VRS.
For these reasons, the NAD is opposed to a “per user” system, and urge you to send your comments to the FCC to oppose this system as well.
4. Improvements to VRS Quality
The FCC asks how the quality of VRS can be improved. The NAD will submit its recommendations and encourages you to provide your feedback to the FCC about VRS quality.
The NAD, along with other consumer groups, encourage the FCC to require that all VRS interpreters be nationally certified. It is our position that VRS interpreters should be subject to regulation just like other professions are.
Moreover, the NAD is also asking the FCC to allow for better matching between VRS users and their interpreters. We currently have a "one-size-fits-all" approach for assigning interpreters and many times the interpreter assigned to a particular individual isn’t the best match, but might be a great match for a different caller. We envision a system where people can stick with the current matching system, or opt out and instead of taking the first interpreter available, wait for an interpreter who is a better match. The NAD hopes to work with the FCC to improve the current matching system.
This rulemaking includes many different issues that will have a tremendous impact on our VRS experience.
Your help is needed now! Let the FCC know what changes you want and don’t want to see in VRS. We need you to file comments with the FCC. If we do not take action now, we may not like the new VRS system.
Please go to the FCC comments website at http://www.fcc.gov/comments, select “Telecommunications Relay Service,” and then fill out the form and submit your comment. Comments are due on March 9. Please file your comments right away!
Thank you for reading and act now by sending your comments to the FCC.
UPDATE 3/7/2012:
The FCC comments system at www.fcc.gov/comments has been down for several days and we do not know when it will be back online. We have been in touch with the FCC and they encourage people to file their comments through a different webpage:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=ysqi2
Please visit the webpage, click “Submit a Filing (Express)” on the left side of the webpage. Then click on Proceeding #10-51, “In the Matter of Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program.” Selecting this proceeding will take you to a website where you can fill out your information and write your comment on the VRS Reform rulemaking.
The deadline for comments is Friday, March 9th. Please file as soon as possible! We need to let the community know what we want to see with VRS.
Happy holidays from all of us at the National Association of the Deaf!
Through our hard work in 2011, we accomplished a great deal! As we approach 2012, we count on your donations to continue working to fulfill our mission of preserving, protecting and promoting the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.
Your donations help the NAD:
- Defend schools for the deaf.
- Expand the right of deaf and hard of hearing people to drive with Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL).
- Promote the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people in landmark court cases, such as against Netflix.
- Ensure that consumers can now connect to banks such as Wells Fargo, BB&T, and Chase via Video Relay Service.
- Obtain captioning access on television, the Internet, airplanes, and sports stadiums and facilities.
- Advocate for U.S.A. ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD).
- Shape young deaf and hard of hearing leaders of the future.
All of these efforts are investments in our mission and cause to achieve true equality for everyone. Thank you for all that you do for the NAD. Support the NAD at www.nad.org/donatenow to make the world a better place for everyone!
On behalf of the board and staff, my warmest wishes to you for the holiday season,
Bobbie Beth Scoggins
President
National Association of the Deaf | 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3819
