National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) strongly urged the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to maintain current levels of funding by the Department of Education for captioning of television programming. Since the founding of the NAD in 1880, accessibility has remained among the top priorities of the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Responding to Congressional attempts to limit funds that would enable deaf and hard of hearing Americans to watch the full range of television programming, NAD members across the country sent letters, emails, and faxes letting Congress know the importance of having full access to television. "This is a civil rights matter", responded Nancy J. Bloch, NAD executive director. "Why shouldn't we enjoy the same options and choices that the senators have?"

The NAD Headquarters issued an Action Alert to have its members, affiliates, and supporters communicate with their representatives the value of captioning access and choice in television programming in their lives.

The NAD also communicated its disappointment that, "on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the historical Deaf President Now (DPN) movement, certain individuals are attempting to roll back those accomplishments in an effort to segregate deaf and hard of hearing individuals from the general public."

"Where are the civil rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans to witness, enjoy, judge, appreciate, and learn through television in America?" said Nancy J. Bloch, executive director. The NAD message is and always will be that captioning is not just desirable or proper, it is essential.

The National Association of the Deaf is the nation's largest organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in education, employment, health care and telecommunications. The NAD focuses on grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, deafness-related information and publications, legal assistance, policy development and research, public awareness, and youth leadership development.