NAD President’s Blog

Spring is here! Flowers are everywhere. Summer is just around the corner.

Your NAD Board of Directors met in Philadelphia in April 2009 to become familiar with the Marriott Philadelphia-Downtown hotel, where next year’s 50th Biennial NAD Conference will be held. We were impressed by the Reading Terminal Market, a huge and unique complex across the street where you can grab a famous Philly cheese steak and hundreds of others goodies. We are all confident that we will have the best conference ever put together for “yawl” (that’s “Texanese” for “all of you”).

It is always refreshing to see that our work at each board meeting consists of awesome dynamics. The Philadelphia meeting was no exception. During the meeting, we tackled several important issues, including approval of the fiscal year 2010 budget (April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010), which stands at $2.5 million. Of this amount, $1.5 million is dedicated to the federal Described and Captioned Media Program, which the NAD administers. The board is committed to being more fiscally vigilant with expenditures and raising the bar to bring in $140,000 in donations, apart from other fundraising activities by the headquarters. This means having at least eight fundraising activities or the equivalent in donations each month to honor our commitment.

We reviewed plans for the NAD Leadership Training Conference (NLTC ‘09) which will be held October 29-November 1, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. Regional caucuses will be held during to the two-day conference, which is expected to attract up and coming community advocates who seek to enhance their leadership skills. The NAD Board will meet right after the conference, on November 1 and 2.

We also reviewed an early draft of the Valuing Deaf Schools position statement. A reality check shows that close to 90 percent of our deaf and hard of hearing students are now mainstreamed. The draft stresses the importance of schools and programs for the deaf serving as statewide resource centers, which promote collaborative partnerships with local school districts and ensure high quality deaf educational services.

This issue was addressed at the recent conference of the Council of Educators and Administrators of Schools and Programs of the Deaf (CEASD) which I attended. They discussed the viability of deaf schools and elements that enable them to thrive. Strong leadership by deaf advocates at the local and state level, working closely with parents, school personnel and administrators, indeed makes a difference. Also important is strong political dynamics within each state, involving departments of education, legislatures, and public/private entities. Research data is also vital in terms of helping parents learn more about their options as well as educating local educational agencies (LEAs) and school districts on the need for specialized educational and professional services for deaf children.

Together, we can be a powerful force. Perhaps it is time to redefine where and how we reach every deaf and hard of hearing student. This close-to-90 percent statistic is pretty powerful considering where we are with deaf education. Everything we do must center on this reality. The role of deaf schools must be to reach out those who are left behind with very scant resources and support systems. State associations and affiliates must strategize to provide support to those children.

Such advocacy begins with you, at the local level. Forming partnerships with one family at a time leads to support groups then with local organizations, onward to the state level and then leading to the NAD and all other national organizations.

Let me hear from you. You are also responsible for the future of deaf children. Look at the deaf children around you. They are looking at you! I promise the support of the NAD in this effort. Don’t let them fall between the cracks! Act now!

NAD Announcement on Budget Threats to Schools for the Deaf

In these troubling economic times, many states are struggling to contain costs and are looking at cutting the funding to schools for the deaf.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) values schools for the deaf and cherishes their contributions to the education and development of deaf and hard of hearing children for nearly 200 years. The NAD supports the continuation and strengthening of these schools. We are alarmed by budget cuts affecting many schools for the deaf and the possible closure of some schools.

Common sense is that children need to be educated in an environment where they can communicate freely. Because of the unique ability of schools for the deaf to provide a barrier-free visual environment through the use of American Sign Language (ASL), they are ideal places for deaf and hard of hearing learners to flourish. No other educational setting can offer the spontaneity and freedom of communication found in schools for the deaf. Schools for the deaf provide children with a holistic environment that supports their language, communication, literacy, academic, social, and emotional development, and provides them with the support services they need to become bilingual (ASL and English), educated, successful, and contributing adults.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that educational agencies must make available a continuum of alternative placements to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Among other things, the continuum must include instruction in regular classes, special classes, and special schools. This continuum includes schools for the deaf.

While the NAD recognizes that the nation is experiencing tough economic times, the requirement to provide the continuum of alternative placements exists regardless of economic factors. States should not seek to balance their budgets by eliminating educational services or placements designed to meet the unique needs of deaf and hard of hearing children. Further, closing schools for the deaf for the intended purpose of budgetary cuts likely will not save money, as students will be shifted into programs not designed to meet their needs, and school districts will have to pay for services they traditionally have not provided. Closing schools for the deaf also puts states at risk for violating the continuum of alternative placements provisions of IDEA.

The NAD has advocated in support of schools for the deaf for many years. For example, the NAD has supported specific IDEA wording that requires Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to address the language and communication needs of deaf children; has also supported language requiring maintenance of the continuum as described above; and has supported full funding of IDEA. The NAD Education Subcommittee, within the NAD Public Policy Committee, is currently fine-tuning a position statement on valuing schools for the deaf.

The economic recovery bills currently before Congress include billions in additional IDEA funding, and the NAD is hopeful that these bills, if passed, will help ease the budget crunch for schools for the deaf. Supporting schools for the deaf is an investment in the future of our children who are deaf or hard of hearing, so that they may become productive tax-paying citizens in the future.

Regardless of what happens at the federal level, most of the decisions regarding schools for the deaf occur at the state level. The NAD urges state associations, organizational affiliates, individual members, and families and friends of deaf and hard of hearing children to:

• Learn about the school(s) for the deaf in your state;
• Ask your school(s) for the deaf what you can to do help support the school(s); and
• Work with all stakeholders in your state to implement a plan that will protect your school(s) for the deaf and provide deaf and hard of hearing children with the world class education they deserve.

The NAD stands ready to help in these efforts. Please keep us informed so that we can work with you to protect the education of our deaf children.

“Important Message from the NAD President: Part 1 of 4 - 46 sec”

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Important Message from the NAD President

On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), I want to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes for the holiday season, reflect on 2008 accomplishments, share serious circumstances, and ways that you can help the NAD continue to fight on behalf of all deaf and hard of hearing Americans. –Bobbie Beth Scoggins, President, National Association of the Deaf

“Important Message from the NAD President:
Part 2 of 4 – 1 min 14 sec.

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Year in Review

The NAD has accomplished a lot during 2008 through the hard work of our staff, board of directors, and committee members – supplemented your valuable membership and donation support. (Click here to read NAD in Action) You can review 2008 accomplishments within the NAD web home page - Latest News, in Blogs Central, and NAD in Action. You can also review my recent Advocacy Update vlog at http://blogs.nad.org/president.

“Important Message from the NAD President:
Part 3 of 4 – 5 mins 13 sec.

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Serious Circumstances

But while there is much good to celebrate, the NAD faces serious circumstances under the current economic situation. Like other nonprofit organizations across the country, the NAD is severely impacted. Interest rates on our investments have dropped drastically, so we have less income to support office lease expenses. While our membership numbers remain the same, we have fewer revenues because we must pay licensing, transaction, and credit card fees for online membership processing. Declining donations and fulfillments of pledge commitments have also greatly impacted our bottom line. This has forced us to take drastic measures.

We must all pitch in, for the NAD to stay strong and continue to fight on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. At headquarters, we must – out of necessity – tighten our belts for the next three months. The board is also working to help headquarters staff.

Starting on January 1, 2009, the following will go into effect at the NAD headquarters:

•Temporary reduction (20%) in headquarters staff salaries/hours, both full time and part time.
•Temporary suspension of employer 5% match to employee 403 (b) pension contributions.
•Temporary suspension of parking benefits for headquarters directors. Other staff may voluntarily cover their own parking expenses.
•Additional temporary reduction of CEO salary and benefits.

These actions hurt our headquarters staff very badly. Reduction in staff hours will also impact our ability to advocate as effectively on behalf of the deaf and hard of hearing community.

The NAD Board of Directors is also committed to going beyond its FY09 goal for fundraising activities. The board will also ensure that two upcoming board meetings, January in Tampa and April in Philadelphia, do not incur expenses for the NAD – in addition, they will carry out community fundraisers at both locations. They will also work with headquarters staff to reach out to individuals and groups for significant donation support.

“Important Message from the NAD President:
Part 4 of 4 – 5 mins 16 sec.

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What You Can Do to Help

We know these are tough times for everyone, but if everyone pitches in, we can, together, make this a better world for ourselves and others in our community.

Here’s how you can help the NAD:

•Renew your own membership. We know so many have forgotten to renew. It’s easy: www.nad.org/join (click here for PDF form)
•Gift the gift of membership to your family, friends, and colleagues. Remember, there is strength in numbers.
•Give an unrestricted gift, where the need is greatest. You might not realize that just one dollar a day – not really a lot, translates into $365/year. It’s easy: www.nad.org/donate (click here for PDF form)
•Make gifts in memory/honor of those you love.
•Encourage others to give as well.

Our rights are not only precious; they’re also priceless. The NAD covers so many areas – accessibility, captioning, education, health care, mental health, telecommunications, and transportation – the list goes on and on. We all must make sacrifices to keep the things we cherish. Who else other than the NAD is working to protect your rights across all fronts?

By donating to the NAD, you invest in real, substantive change. Your donation supports others who commit the time and resources to advocate on your behalf. Ripple effects through the NAD in turn benefit others.

Yes, indeed – there’s a very special magic that can be created through the joy of giving not only to support what’s happening now, but also what can happen in the future.

We have a new U.S. president starting on January 20 and a new administration filled with much promise and hope. President-elect Obama’s campaign used the slogan, “Yes, We Can!” It worked very well for him and I do believe it will work well also for us.

The NAD needs your support, now.

December 30, 2008

Barack Obama
President-Elect
451 Sixth Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Dear President-Elect Obama:

On behalf of our nation’s 36 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals, I congratulate you on your historic victory. Your message of hope and change resonated with Americans. During these troubled times, our nation needs a leader who will unite and inspire.

The mission of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The NAD is encouraged by your determination to bring fairness and equity to those who have not had access to or enjoyed all that our country has to offer. Sadly, our nation has not provided an equal opportunity for all to receive adequate health care, obtain a quality education, and become full participants in our society through the protection of civil rights. Simple justice demands that we change this. We note your appeal:

“This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”

Since its establishment in 1880, the NAD has been saying “Yes, we can” on behalf of the deaf and hard of hearing community in the United States. We have advocated for the rights of our members to work, to learn, to access communication, and to participate in the fabric of American life. We have fought discrimination, stereotypes, and negative perceptions. We have provided our youth with the tools they need to craft a future where barriers fade and leadership opportunities grow.

I offer the expertise and assistance of the NAD to you and your administration now and in the coming years. I believe we can be helpful as you develop policies that will create a better life for all Americans. We are pleased that we have had ongoing contact with your campaign’s Disability Vote Director Kareem Dale, whose outreach and support we have appreciated. We hope to broaden this relationship to include many other members of your team. We stand ready to serve. Please call upon us in any way you find helpful.

Sincerely,

Bobbie Beth Scoggins
President

Hello, my name is Tom Kober, chair of the NAD Bylaws Committee. I want to take this opportunity to give you an update on the NAD Bylaws.

The NAD held its biennial national conference in New Orleans last summer and it was a great success. One of our major business activities at the conference was to amend the bylaws to comply with the will and wishes of NAD delegates and members.

I would like to share with you the four major highlights of bylaws amendments that were proposed by members and approved by delegates in attendance.

***First, the board of directors developed a new mission statement. The new NAD mission is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

***Second, in the area of membership, a new governmental organizational affiliate category was added under the Organizational Affiliates. The total number of categories under the Organizational Affiliates is now three - the other two are non-profit and for-profit organizations.

***Third, a new section on candidacy requirements was added to allow the Election Committee to screen and verify prospective candidates for officer and regional member positions on the NAD board of directors. Nominations will no longer be made from the floor.

***Fourth, in the Council of Representatives, national Non-Profit Organizational Affiliates which meet eligibility criteria set forth by the board of directors will have the same proportionate representation as the State Association Representatives.

The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

The vision of the National Association of the Deaf is that the language, culture, and heritage of deaf and hard of hearing Americans will be acknowledged and respected in pursuit of life, liberty, and equality.

The National Association of the Deaf embraces core, legal, and community values, as follows:

Core Values
* Language. We value the acquisition, usage, and preservation of American Sign Language.
* Culture. We value the right of deaf and hard of hearing Americans to share similar beliefs, sense of belonging, and experiences as a signing community.

Legal Values
* Civil Rights. We believe in equality, dignity, and justice for all deaf and hard of hearing Americans.
* Human Rights. We believe that acquisition and use of American Sign Language is an essential human right.
* Linguistic Rights. We believe that American Sign Language must be preserved, protected, and promoted.

Community Values
* Diversity. We value deaf and hard of hearing Americans with diverse perspectives, experiences, and abilities. We are committed to the elimination of audism, linguicism, racism, and other forms of discrimination.
* People. We value advocates and allies as the builders of the American deaf community.

The National Association of the Deaf embraces diversity and inclusiveness as core values in achieving its mission. It is the philosophy of the NAD that diversity encompasses a wide range of human abilities and perspectives.*

The NAD is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive environment where differences of opinions, beliefs, and values are sought, listened to, respected, and valued. Through inclusiveness, the NAD is committed to expanded membership, participation, and leadership that reflect the diversity of the American deaf community. The NAD also pledges to enhance its policies and practices so that these adhere to the highest standards of diversity and inclusiveness, and to work closely with its state and organizational affiliates to further this commitment.

(*including, but not limited to, language, culture, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, and socioeconomic status)

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) encourages local communities throughout the USA to become part of its ASL is Awesome for All! campaign, which promotes the long-standing position of the NAD that American Sign Language (ASL) is a basic human right and the natural language of the American deaf community.

The NAD seeks to share the benefits of ASL with everyone - it fosters language development in all babies, whether they are can hear or are deaf. It is in high demand as a second language being taught in many high schools and post secondary programs nationwide. While additional benefits of ASL continue to be found through research, people of all ages presently enjoy transcending the limits of spoken language through ASL usage. “We must work together more vigorously than ever to bring attention to, elevate and gain greater recognition of ASL as our human right,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins. NAD Position Statement on ASL

The ASL is Awesome for All! campaign also commemorates International Week of the Deaf, first launched by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958 and observed annually during the last full week of September. The week culminates with celebration of International Day of Sign Languages. Organizations of deaf people worldwide are encouraged by the WFD to educate the public about and promote the human and linguistic rights of deaf people, not only during this official observance but also year-round.

Note

Events and Resources

The NAD wants your ASL is Awesome! listing – any and all local events that involve celebration of, or education about ASL, deaf culture and community. Send details about your local/state events to www.nad.org/contactus. Click here for listings: www.nad.org/ASLisAwesome