National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) announced its support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  VAWA is landmark legislation that seeks to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. VAWA was first passed in 1994, and reauthorized in 2000. 

“This is an important bill to our members—and we must do more to improve services,” commented NAD President Andrew J. Lange. “I encourage all individuals to contact Congress urging them to take action on VAWA.”

The NAD has set up a webpage that allows individuals to contact Congress directly to share their views on VAWA.  The webpage can be found at www.nad.org/VAWAaction.

The current reauthorization bill will add construction and personnel costs for shelters to better serve victims with disabilities--and focus on the development of collaborative partnerships between victim service organizations and organizations serving individuals with disabilities.  VAWA will also allocate funding toward the development of model programs that place advocacy and intervention services within organizations serving individuals with disabilities.

“Violence against women is a global human rights issue—it is important that ordinary American citizens help Congress understand the importance of reauthorizing VAWA,” stated NAD Miss Deaf America Erin Casler who selected the anti-violence issue as her platform.  Casler uses her stature as NAD Miss Deaf America to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about this important issue.