National Association of the Deaf

FINAL CALL for Pre-Registration!
Pre-register NOW for the Combo or the Non-Combo by Tuesday, June 15, 2010.  Only Non-Combos will be sold onsite during the 50th Biennial NAD Conference.  Register now, to join many others who have already done so!  Click here to learn who else is attending!  If you want to purchase tickets to the Order of Georges/Georgettes Breakfast and the Senior Citizens Luncheon, you must register by June 15, 2010 as you will not be able to do so onsite.

FINAL CALL for Hotel Reservations!
We’ve also extended the deadline so that you can reserve your hotel room before Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Located in the heart of the business district, surrounded by restaurants and the Reading Terminal Market, the Philadelphia Marriott-Downtown is the perfect place to stay for the 50th Biennial NAD Conference, with everything happening within the hotel! Visit the Marriott hotel with Jesse Thomas (vlog)  To learn about low-cost parking near the hotel, click here.

Explore Philly: In ASL!
Click on the title link to view two vlogs, by Jon Kovacs and “Explore Philly: in ASL!” by Philadelphia deaf leaders and advocates, highlighting the many reasons why you must attend the 50th Biennial NAD Conference!

Major Conference Events
Learn more about major conference events – click on the title link to view a vlog by Kirsten Poston, Appointed Member of the NAD Board of Directors, which is also summarized below. All conference events are accessible in ASL and English (CART).
• Join loyal NAD supporters at the Order of Georges/Georgettes Breakfast on Tuesday, July 6 with emcee Kirsten Poston, keynote presenter Kelby Brick, and Golden Rose award presentation to Barbara Schmidt! (Note: Tuesdsay, June 15, 2010 Deadline)
• Watch your delegates in action as they discuss issues important to you and the American deaf community at the Council of Representatives meetings all day on Tuesday, July 6, with Robert M. Greenmun award presentation to Cynthia Weitzel.
• Become part of history with a memorable Welcome Ceremony on Wednesday morning, July 7. Celebrate the 50th biennial gathering of the NAD and its 130th anniversary, plus the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with President Bobbie Beth Scoggins and keynoter presenters MJ Bienvenu and Claudia Gordon, with award presentations as follows: Accessibility - Google, NFL and CBS; Media Advocacy - Marlee Matlin, and Spirit of the NAD - Benjamin Soukup.
• Participate in the General Forum (open to all individual and organizational NAD members) with award presentations as follows: Frederick Schreiber Distinguished Service - Howard Rosenblum, Randall McClelland - Jamie Berke, and Youth - James Wilson III and Leah Katz-Hernandez on Wednesday afternoon, July 7, where you'll also meet the finalists for the CEO position (click here to learn about the CEO search process).
• Catch up with old friends and make new ones at the Senior Citizen’s Luncheon on Friday, July 9 with emcee Gertie Galloway and keynote presenter Roz Rosen, with award presentations as follows: Andrew J. Foster Teaching Excellence - Robert Davila; Senior Citizens - Ronald Hirano and Virginia Luke! (Note: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Deadline)
• Don’t miss the College Bowl Finals on Thursday, July 8, emceed by Paul Rutowski! Click here for photos and details on this year’s contestants and coaches – which team will bring home the trophy? Who will have the most spirited team support? How many questions will you be able to answer?
• Root for your favorite contestant at the Miss Deaf America Ambassador Finals on Friday, July 9 with emcees Evon Black and Frank Dattolo! Click here for photos and details on this year’s contestants – will your favorite win the coveted title?
• Watch delegates in action at the Council of Representatives meeting on Saturday morning, July 10 where they will vote on priorities for 2010-2012, elect officers and regional representatives for the new term (click here for names of Official Candidates for Board Service), with the following award presentations: Knights of the Flying Fingers - Tawny Holmes, Alexis Kashar, Melissa Malzkuhn, Sheila Conlon Mentkowski, Jeff Rosen and Louis Schwarz.
• Take part in the Youth Luncheon on Saturday, July 10 with emcee Lissette Molina and keynote presenters Alim Chandani and Jennifer Yost Ortiz and at the same time celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Youth Leadership Camp!
• End the week on Saturday evening, July 11 at the Closing Ceremonies & Banquet featuring the world acclaimed National Theatre of the Deaf and a tribute to outgoing CEO Nancy Bloch, with presentations of the following awards: President's, CEO's and NAD-RID Outstanding Service to Interpreting (recipients TBA), followed by an exciting Live Auction with emcees Julie Rems-Smario and Ed Waterstreet!

Workshops and Commissions
The 50th Biennial NAD Conference is the place to go for skills development and advancement strategies as well as opportunities to attend and provide feedback at issues-oriented sessions. Seventy workshops and commissions will be offered with topics ranging from Video Captioning on You Tube, Interacting with Law Enforcement, Speed Networking: Advancing Your Career, Grassroots Advocacy Strategies, ASL Poetry, Deaf Self Advocacy, What Your Interpreter Wished You Knew, Disability Disclosure and so much more! Click on the link above for workshop/commission schedule with presenter names, titles and descriptions. For more information on presenter bios, click here.

Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Our appreciation goes to the Conference sponsors for their generous support of the work of the NAD – please click here for live links to each sponsor.

"Founder" Level
• Sorenson
• ZVRS
"Heritage" Level
• Access Interpreting
• CSD
• Purple
"Liberty" Level
• AT&T
• Gallaudet University
• RIT/NTID
"Independence" Level
• AOL
• Verizon
"Constitution" Level
• Blackberry
• CaptionFirst
• Deaf Access Solutions
• DeafVision
• Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Liberty Resources
• New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Ultratec
"Justice" Level
• DHCC
• NCIEC
• TracFone
"Stars and Stripes" Level
• Amtrak
• ASLTA
• Deaf Politics

Five Things You Must Do in Philadelphia
• Stroll America’s most historic square mile
• Soak in arts and culture
• Network at night
• Explore the outdoors
• Shop 'til you drop

Philadelphia, Here I Come!
• Getting Here – http://www.visitphilly.com/getting-here
• Getting Around Town – http://www.visitphilly.com/getting-around
• Going to Museums and Attractions – http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions

Onwards to a Wonderful Gathering in Philadelphia
We look forward to your being with us for a productive, enriching and fun-filled celebration in the City of Brotherly Love!