National Association of the Deaf

The 48th Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference held in Palm Desert, California from June 29-July 3, 2006 was a “hot” success. There were 1,600 official registrants with an additional 400 who took advantage of the technology-laden Exhibit Hall which was open to the public. While the temperature soared outside the beautiful Desert Springs Resort, people stayed cool inside in crowded workshops and general sessions. Many came, intent upon participating in the NAD and discussing “burning” topics.

This was a Conference of “firsts” – this is the first time the NAD Conference was held at a resort; Exhibit Hall admittance was free; the NAD initiated a highly successful Blog which especially thrilled those who could not attend; members took advantage of the first ever combined Forum voting session; and attendees were treated to a look to the future thanks to Fulton III Committee efforts. And, a historic first - all living past presidents were at the Conference!

And that is not all – the NAD Conference program included the first Tribute to ASL & Deaf Culture made possible by talented professionals and volunteer performers, an event that will be repeated at the 2008 NAD Conference in New Orleans, LA. First-time Conference attendees also had “first-timer” badge ribbons, which encouraged others to make them feel welcome. And there was the first ever flood of new and younger delegates at the Council of Representatives who elected a new Board that literally will change how the NAD works with the American deaf and hard of hearing community.

The 48th Biennial NAD Conference Opening Ceremonies provided the venue for the announcement of a new NAD publication Sands of Time: NAD Presidents 1880-2003, written by Lawrence R. Newman, past president. Publication of this inspiring tale of the deaf community, as told through the men and women who have led the NAD, occurred as the NAD celebrated of 125 years of advocacy at the conference. Dr. I. King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University then gave the Opening Ceremonies keynote. Jordan stated that “there is no crisis at Gallaudet” and went on to discuss the importance of collaboration by diverse individuals and groups.

Traditional conference event favorites were the NAD College Bowl and the NAD Miss Deaf America Pageant. Gallaudet University won the trophy over competing teams from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and the California State University at Northridge. Miss Deaf South Dakota, Chelsea Tobin, was crowned NAD Miss Deaf America. She will represent the NAD for the next two years as an ambassador and role model for deaf youth.

Review what happened at the NAD Conference via the Conference Blog at:
http://www.nad.org/2006confblog

The success of the 48th Biennial NAD Conference would not have happened without the support of the California Association of the Deaf and their many volunteers and the many sponsors who believe in the work of the NAD. Sponsors (according to donor level): Promise Sponsor-Verizon; Milestone Sponsors-Sorenson Communications, Visual Language Interpreting; Dedication Sponsors-America Online, Hamilton Relay, Gallaudet University, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Sprint; Vision Sponsors-Cingular, IBM; Inspiration Sponsors-Adobe, AT&T, BellSouth, Blackberry, Hands On VRS, Motorola, National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers, Ultratec; Community Sponsors-California State University at Northridge, CTIA, DeafVision, Inc., TracFone.