NAD News
This lists all Latest News items from the NAD and its affiliates. It also includes news items from outside groups on topics that are in line with the mission of the NAD. Media queries: please use our Contact form.
NAD Seeks Director of Youth Leadership Programs
Silver Spring, MD – The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) seeks a dynamic, energetic and creative person to lead its Youth Leadership Programs, which include Youth Leadership Camp, Junior NAD, Miss Deaf America Ambassador and College Bowl programs and related events and activities.
USA to Sign CRPD
On Friday, July 24, 2009, President Obama will acknowledge the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and announce his intention that the United States of America will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Under the CRPD, governments are to recognize and promote the use of sign language; facilitate the learning of sign language and the promotion of the linguistic identity of the deaf community; and ensure access through the provision of professional sign language interpreters.
NAD Advocates for Fully Functioning Videophones
The NAD urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take action to ensure that consumers have real choices in videophones. Videophones – Internet-based videoconferencing equipment – enable access to video relay services (VRS) and peer-to-peer communication with other videophone users.
NAD Submits Comments to Hospital Accreditation Agency
The NAD submitted comments to The Joint Commission’s “Proposed Requirements to Advance Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient-Centered Care for the Hospital Accreditation Program.” The NAD advocated for inclusion of specific requirements to ensure effective communication with all individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Sotomayor Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings
This week, the NAD is monitoring the confirmation proceedings of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The Senate confirmation hearings are an opportunity for Senators to express their views on jurisprudence and ask Judge Sotomayor questions about her ability to serve on the Supreme Court.
NAD Requests Funding for National Study on Deaf Education
The NAD recently wrote to the U.S. Congress urging appropriation of funds for a national study to be conducted by a commission on the education of the deaf. Congress authorized the study in the amendments to the Education of the Deaf Act which were enacted in August 2008 as part of the Higher Education Opportunities Act.
NAD Urges Support for Community Choice Act
The NAD, with other organizations, sent a letter to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urging her support of the Community Choice Act (CCA, S. 683/H.R.1670) with a request for a meeting.
Passion for ASL and Civil Rights
During the summer of 2008, the NAD hosted Harvard law student, Caitlin Vogus, as an intern in the Law and Advocacy Center. Caitlin, a graduate of the University of Virginia (U.Va.), wrote about her experience at the NAD Law and Advocacy Center in an article for the A&S Online magazine.
The NAD Law and Advocacy Center invites law students interested in pursuing a challenging and rewarding experience in civil rights and disability discrimination law to contact us about internship opportunities.
Caitlin writes:
NAD Urges DOT to Modify Truck Driver Rules
At a recent public meeting of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the NAD advocated to change the requirements for people who want to obtain a commercial driver’s license for interstate transportation. These rules prevent deaf and hard of hearing individuals from obtaining employment as truck drivers and other commercial motor vehicle operators.
NAD Advocates for Stable VRS Rates
With other consumer advocacy groups, the NAD said the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should not revise the current rate methodology for video relay services (VRS). Comments must be filed by July 13, 2009.
On May 14, 2009, the FCC asked whether the compensation rate for VRS should be re-calculated for the 2009-2010 rate period that started July 1, 2009.
The NAD supports a VRS rate that permits all reasonable expenses of VRS providers to be covered.
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