NADmag Winter 2022 | Volume 22, Issue 2

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ABOUT THE ©2022, is published by the NAD (USA), and is sent as a national membership benefit.

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ABOUT THE NAD

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was established in 1880 by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. As a nonprofit federation, the mission of the 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 advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering the breadth of a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more. For more information, visit nad.org

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF 8630 Fenton Street, Ste. 820, Silver Spring MD 20910 301.587.1788 / 301.587.1789 TTY nad.info@nad.org / CFC Number: 10356

MISSION STATEMENT

To preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

CONTACT / LEARN MORE

To contact the Board of Directors, complete the contact form at nad.org/contactus. For information about the Board, visit nad.org/board

What it means to give back

BY JENNY BUECHNER (she, hers)

As we approach the end of 2022, I reflect upon the past year with much gratitude and appreciation for the things our board and committee members have done for the community. Their accomplishments in the past year have been no small feat. The many hours of work poured into the success of the top five NAD priorities, the 2022 Biennial NAD Conference, and other important work is primarily from people who have volunteered their time. If you’re one of these volunteers, please know that I appreciate your contribution to the NAD. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Today we live in challenging times trying to navigate the world after the pandemic that struck in 2020. The pandemic caused many of us to take time to pause and reflect on our priorities. Each of us have different priorities, and for some of us the pandemic may have changed these and for others they may have stayed the same. However, I have noticed a trend among our community where we are seeing

organizations struggling to find people who are willing to participate as leaders

Why is this trend happening now? Perhaps we have forgotten the value of volunteerism? Are we thanking our volunteers enough? Are our volunteers burnt-out? Are we lacking opportunities for learning, training, and resources for volunteers? Are we not providing enough support for our volunteers?

What can we do? First, let’s remind ourselves what it means to volunteer. It means to give back to the community for a common cause, not for personal gain, but for the benefit of the community. If you’re passionate about something, take the time to help out even if it means just a couple of hours at a time. The reward is what you’ll learn from the experience itself. You as an individual will grow, acquiring new skills, knowledge, and a network of people who may have similar interests.

President Jenny laughs with others outside during the #NADretreat | Fall 2022.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Second, take a moment to thank those who have volunteered their time, including those who serve on boards, committees, or at events. Their time is valuable and they have decided to give it for a great cause. They have made personal sacrifices, big and or small. Those contributions need to be recognized. Send them a thank you card. Post on social media with gratitude to those individuals. Present them with awards when deemed appropriate. Take the time in your day to check in on them, and have meaningful conversations about their volunteer work, as well as about your common interests.

When volunteers are recognized for their work, they feel appreciated, and are more motivated to continue to contribute to the cause. Without the recognition, there will come a time when their fuel runs out, and they may contribute less and less of their time, and may end up leaving. Sometimes it’s not about receiving gratitude, but a change in personal priorities, or simply because life happens.

Volunteers come and go and that is very natural. However, what are we doing to recruit new volunteers to ensure the work towards the cause continues? Are there opportunities for them to learn how to do things they have not done before? Are there mentors for these volunteers to discuss their experiences? Are we reaching out to individuals who are not part of our own communities or networks? There are many resources available to help individuals learn new things including taking on leadership roles within organizations.

The NAD offers its National Leadership Training Conference every other year, and the next one is coming up in September, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This conference provides training on supporting an organization, including how to run meetings, handle budgets and finances, recruit

volunteers and members, prioritize and achieve goals, and much more. If you’re interested in volunteering with your community and/or organization, and want to pick up more leadership skills, please join us in Albuquerque!

Can I count on you, our readers and community members, to share your appreciation for, and support the volunteers of your community, organization, or cause, including those who volunteer for the NAD?

Again, thank you to all those who volunteer, new and experienced, for the greater cause of advancing the civil, human, and linguistic rights of the people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Disabled, and Late Deafened.

NADly yours, Jenny Buechner

Jenny Buechner (she, hers) has been on the NAD Board since 2013 and now serves as President for 2022-2024.

When volunteers are recognized for their work, they feel appreciated, and are more motivated to continue to contribute to the cause.

President Jenny leads the oath for new Board members during the #NADretreat | Fall 2022.

FROM THE CEO

ENGAGING FOR EQUALITY: Reaching for the Stars

BY HOWARD A. ROSENBLUM (he, him)

Every day, everywhere, we encounter instances of inaccessibility, inequality, and inequity. Schools for the deaf are struggling. Too many deaf children are not getting appropriate education in mainstreamed settings. Sign language access is denied in too many places. Hospitals are refusing to provide interpreters or only doing so through Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). In most places, we are unable to get therapy directly in sign language. Too many members of our community face barriers to employment causing them to be unemployed or underemployed. Employers implement policies and practices that deter opportunities for us. New technology and telecommunication innovations and advances tear down barriers but also create new ones for us. Courts have weakened laws that protect us.

All of this makes us wonder when and how we will ever see the day when we no longer have to endure such injustices. When will we have Deaf leaders and teachers in our schools that fully respect the bilingual needs of all children in our community? When will we be able to go to hospitals and doctors and not worry about having qualified interpreters who understand us? When will we have full access to signing fluent therapists everywhere? When will we be able to compete for jobs without having to worry about barriers and discrimination? When will we be able to use the latest innovation without worrying if we can really use it? Are we still going to be able to push back against discrimination through legal actions?

Howard joins a group discussion during the #NADretreat | Fall 2022.

FROM THE CEO

Are we making progress or are we backsliding?

Ever since the NAD was founded in 1880, our community has seen many setbacks but also many victories. The evolution of video access is a good example of how the NAD and our community have had to be vigilant in advocating for access.

Just before 1900, the first films were silent, and our community had full access. In fact, several deaf actors were in those silent movies. Then sound was added to movies in the late 1920s, and our community was unable to watch any movies with captions for decades. Televisions came along in the 1950s but were also without captioning access for decades. Even when captioning technology made it possible to have access, very few movies and television shows were captioned until mandated by laws in the 1990s. At that time, the NAD provided open captioning of many films through our Captioned Film and Video (CFV) program, now known as the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP). The Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990 mandated all televisions (13” and larger) sold in the USA to have built in captioning capability. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandated nearly all television shows to be captioned by 2006. The 21st Century Communication and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 ensured that television shows retain their captioning when streamed online. In recent years, with the help of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the NAD compelled the captioning of streaming media through litigation against major entities such as Netflix, Harvard, and MIT, and this led to partnerships with many others that voluntarily provided caption content.

This fight to ensure we have full access to all forms of video media is proof that we can attain success in our advocacy work. This requires planning and strategy at all levels of government – federal, state, and local. The NAD has been working hard to push for new federal laws, such as: the Cogswell-Macy Act to improve deaf education; the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act to make sure we always have full access to video and technology; and the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act to make sure that all apps and websites are accessible to us. In addition, the NAD has several state model bills that address various issues such as education, mental health, interpreter licensure, and commissions.

With the involvement of the entire Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Late-Deaf, and Hard of Hearing community, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized parts of our community, the National Association of the Deaf will continue to strategize, plan, advocate, and litigate for all of us to have full equality and equity.

The evolution of video access is a good example of how the NAD and our community have had to be vigilant in advocating for access.

Howard A. Rosenblum, Esq. (he, him) has served as the NAD Chief Executive Officer since 2011.

Age 15, 10th Grade

What are you looking forward to doing during the winter break?

PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR DEAF

I plan to watch some movies and chat with my friends. I’ll also go with my family to Delaware to my cousins’ house for Christmas.

LANE Age 16, 11th Grade

Sleep.

Age 14, 9th Grade

This winter break, I will go to my family’s house and get gifts for Christmas, then I will drink hot chocolate with my sisters ;)

JADE MACK

Age 16, 11th Grade

I plan to stay at home. I will chat with my friends and watch movies.

I am very excited for the break! On Christmas Eve l will go to bed early. The next morning, l will run into my parents’ room and wake them up so we can open gifts!! After that l will just relax.

EMMA HAWORTH-MEEHAN Age 17, 11th Grade

MUSLIM Age 17, 11th Grade

I will relax with my family over the break and help them wherever they need it. I also plan on playing a lot of Xbox over break!

Age 16, 11th Grade

On Christmas, I’ll have dinner with my family. The next day, we’ll exchange presents. I also plan to watch a few movies on my phone. I will enjoy staying home.

HAMEED MCCOY

Age 16, 10th Grade

I will play with my family. I will go to Sky Zone. I have been there before and like jumping on the trampoline and playing dodgeball. I’m on the basketball team, so I will practice dribbling, too.

NELISKA COLON

Age 16, 11th Grade

I’m looking forward to lay in bed with my two lovely cats!

MAYA CARSON-GARCIA

AYANNA WARREN-WILSON

LISAMARIE MUNDERU

CLOVER

NOAH

Deaf Picklers

BY LIZZIE BLOOM (she, hers)

Yes, guilty – I’m one of “those” people who are super addicted to pickleball. I mean, it’s been around since the 1960s but pickleball exploded in popularity during the pandemic. Reports say pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. I thank my wife’s parents who asked us to take their spot in a local deaf pickleball tournament, from there, we got obsessed. I love how it brings so many different people from all walks of life to the courts and you really can’t tell who’s good or not until they play! You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy this sport and that’s why I love the game. In most other sports, you have to be very good to enjoy it – pickleball is different. Anyone, with any skill level, can enjoy a game. I decided to ask a few people about the sport and who knows, maybe you’ll try a game if you haven’t or feel encouraged to keep playing! Here’s hoping we’ll meet at the next deaf pickleball tournament in Arizona in November, 2023. See you at the kitchen line.

David O. Reynolds (he, him)

The first National Deaf Pickleball Tournament (NDPBT) was held in Encinitas, California. Rob Cundy of Canada contacted Farley Warshaw, Scott Kramer, and myself about hosting it in South California. He had been playing pickleball and saw our posts. We agreed to host and developed a small committee to find sponsors, reserve courts, and coordinated the many volunteers who helped made it happen.

After the big success of our first tournament, we knew we had to become an official organization. Scott Kramer from the National Racquetball Association of the Deaf (NRAD) offered seed money to help us get started. We decided to set up a task force committee with members Steve Florio, Audrey Frank, Scott Kramer, Louis Schwartz, Randi Wille, and myself. We set up the organization’s tax ID, developed bylaws, guidelines, and so on. We presented our information at the 2022 National Deaf Pickleball Tournament in the Villages, Florida. From there, DPUSA held elections for the following officers:

AN INTERVIEW

Lizzie and her wife, Carrie Lou, smile at a local pick-up game in Austin, Texas, earlier in 2022.

Ageless Wonders: Mike Farnady, Ernie Epps, Farley Warshaw, and David O. Reynolds.

President: David O. Reynolds

Vice President: Janice Smith Warshaw

Secretary: Andy Foster

Treasurer: Audrey Frank

Board Members At Large: Mike Dubowe, Mickey Helmick, and Vanessa Scarna

Pickleball has become so popular in the last five years because it’s easy and friendly for everyone to learn, for both athletes and non-athletes, and for all ages! This makes pickleball unique because it’s a competitive sport. People of all ages want to keep moving and feel like a kid again by getting off their butts and play. It’s also a great social sport, especially during the pandemic. People are so friendly! In fact, many deaf people end up teaching hearing players some basic signs, such as the numbers for scoring.

My advice? Get off your seat and try it, you’ll most likely get hooked. It’s a great sport to learn so, join any (deaf or hearing) Pickleball group. Try playing at least twice a week so you can slowly get into shape to prevent injuries.

Andy Foster (he, him)

I picked up the sport from deaf friends in Rochester when they set up a deaf league at NTID and needed more people. It sounded funny, you know, “Pickleball,” so I decided to join. I love to play because of the camaraderie when playing doubles and the fact the sport always makes me laugh when we get into exciting moments like dinking and quick rallies back and forth. Pickleball is like playing table tennis, but without the table and the nets are a bit bigger. You play with a funny wiffle type plastic ball and oversized paddles. The court size is considerably smaller than a tennis court, so you can move around quicker. And for every serve, you are able to play continuously without having to run from one end of the court to the other.

Shelly Oishi (she, hers)

I signed up, not knowing what Pickleball was all about, with a group of girlfriends for a local tournament. After that, I was hooked! I play because it’s ultra-super fun and a great way to get some exercise. The best part is to be able to see my girlfriends on a regular basis outside of work.

Shelley (top row, third from right) stands with other deaf women after a local deaf women’s pickleball tournament held at Dreamland near Austin, Texas in April 2022.

Lizzie Bloom and Andy Foster smile together from the National Deaf Pickleball Tournament in the Villages, November 2022.

US and Canada: Canadians Rob and Linda Cundy, and Lehman Drew joined David and the rest of the hardcore pickleball players of Riverside, California.

June Prusak (she, hers)

Being an athlete, single, and living alone during the pandemic was really hard. Many sports leagues were shut down. Pickleball really saved me mentally, emotionally, and physically during the pandemic because it provided me an outlet to see and play with friends safely. I became interested when I saw a Facebook post of some deaf people playing in Indianapolis. It looked like a fun game, but I had no clue how to play. Andy Foster was coming to Illinois to teach anyone who was interested. I went ahead and bought my own paddle without a clue how to play! Little did I know that I’d become hooked. I’ve learned to give myself time and patience to learn the game. If you’re a beginner, keep your paddle up when you are at the kitchen line and keep the ball in front of you. My favorite thing about pickleball is how it’s so fast-paced! It gives me a total body workout and a good amount of sweat! I also love meeting new people on the courts. The game gives me so much joy. You either win or learn. There is no losing in this sport.

you, I loved it immediately! While it’s like tennis, pickleball is much more fun and easier to learn and play. The rules are simple. The courts are smaller so there’s less running around. Your hits don’t have to be precise like they would be for tennis. You can communicate with each other while playing. For those of you who are older, don’t let your age stop you from playing pickleball! I play with a group of women who are close to my age of 75 every Friday. We feel young and have fun!

Franna Camenisch (she, hers)

I was a tennis coach at the Texas School for the Deaf for years. Just when I retired, doctors told me to stop playing tennis due to my bad back. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. Years later, I noticed some women playing Pickleball in the neighborhood and had no idea what it was. I decided to join them because it looked similar to tennis. And let me tell

June plays a game with Carol McGuinn (photo taken by Julie Foulks).

Franna and her husband, Walt, stand together in front of the pickleball courts.

Lizzie Bloom (she, hers) is the Director of Engagement at the NAD.

Updates from the NAD’s Education Policy Team

BY DORIS ALCÁNTARA QUIÑONES (she, hers, ella), SARAH HONIGFELD (she, her), AND CHRIS PAYNE-TSOUPROS (she, her)

The NAD is pleased to announce our expanded Education Policy Team! In late summer, Doris Alcántara Quiñones joined as Research Specialist, and Chris Payne-Tsoupros as the Education Policy Counsel. Doris and Chris join Education Policy Specialist Sarah Honigfeld, completing the NAD Education Policy Team. Working as part of the NAD’s Policy Institute, they work together to improve deaf education and ensure rights for deaf students.

One of the NAD’s priorities is “Achieving Equity in Deaf Education.” The NAD’s Council of Representatives established this priority in 2020-2022 and voted to continue this priority for the 2022-2024 term. This priority focuses on developing ways to increase equity in education for deaf students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Working with the NAD’s Education Equity committee, the Education Policy Team is in the process of developing two new community resources, a checklist and guide, for ensuring education equity within the education system for deaf students. That resource will be made available free to the community to access and use.

Another of the NAD’s priorities for 2022-2024 is “ASL Resources for Deaf Babies.” For this ASL Resources priority, the committee is tasked with developing ways to ensure that families receive appropriate information on language acquisition for raising a deaf child upon receiving the results from the newborn hearing screening, including resources and information about learning ASL. The Education

References used in this article:

Policy Team will work closely with members of the ASL Resources committee as it is formed to implement this priority over the next two years. In addition to these two NAD priorities, the Education Policy Team is involved in numerous other projects. We have been collecting concerns from the community about the challenges and barriers with teacher licensure. Recognizing the critical shortage of teachers of the deaf and barriers to licensure faced by many teachers, we are in the process of collaborating in a workgroup of various organizations that serve the deaf community within the education system.

We also are revising and updating our Education Advocates curriculum and training program. The Education Advocates program will create a network of NAD-trained representatives who will be able to support states in policy efforts to strengthen deaf education systems. The Education Advocates will be trained on legislative advocacy techniques and tips, education policy, early intervention and K-12 systems, and related issues. A network of NADtrained Education Advocates across every state will allow increased information sharing and advocacy within each state, between the states, and between states and the national level. We will launch our new Education Advocates curriculum at the NAD’s National Leadership Training Conference (NLTC) in October 2023 in New Mexico. We encourage you to contact your state’s association of the deaf if you are interested in becoming a NAD Education Advocate.

1 We use “deaf” inclusively to refer to people who may identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing.

UPDATES

THE NAD’S EDUCATION POLICY TEAM

The Education Policy Team also manages questions and concerns from community members related to deaf education though our education intakes system. We frequently receive questions and concerns from parents and family members regarding their deaf child’s education, including questions related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as questions related to state-specific policies. While we cannot become directly involved in every individual family’s case, we provide resources, information, and referrals to attorneys and advocates licensed in each state. We also use information provided from families to keep us informed of issues where we need to advocate at the state and national levels. In addition to questions related to legal rights or advocacy in school and early intervention, we also respond to queries regarding language resources, best practices in early intervention, and more.

We encourage you to reach out to us with questions (education.intakes@nad.org ). We look forward to ongoing collaboration opportunities with our community members to best serve deaf students.

Doris Alcántara Quiñones (she, hers, ella) is the NAD Research Specialist and is currently an Ed.M Candidate in Educational Policy and Analysis at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Sarah Honigfeld (she, hers) is the NAD Education Policy Specialist, and works with community members and organizations on education.

Chris Payne-Tsoupros, Esq. (she, her) , is the NAD Education Policy Counsel and advises the NAD on legal and policy issues related to education for deaf and hard of hearing children and youth.

Giving Feels Good ... and it can be tax-deductible too!

BY MICHELLE CLINE (she, hers)

Why is it important to donate?

One of the major positive effects of donating money to a charity is simply feeling good about it. Donating is a selfless act. Being able to give back to those in need helps you achieve a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth. It also gives you a level of rapport with an organization, showing that you agree with their beliefs, ideas, and core values. When Black Lives Matter became a household name in 2020, many deaf individuals and allies contributed funds to the National Black Deaf Advocates. People rallied together because they didn’t like the systemic racism they were seeing, and the individuals wanted to ensure the Black Deaf Community got the funds and recognition it needed.

It makes it more special when we, as a Deaf Community, contribute to Deaf-Led organizations to support their goals. Giving to an organization

such as Deaf Women United (DWU) can provide opportunities. For example, a person created a birthday fundraiser through Facebook and asked for donations specifically to cover two DWU registrations. This allowed two BIPOC women to attend the DWU Conference, when they wouldn’t normally go because of cost.

Each non-profit organization conducts fundraising in different ways. Examples include but are not limited to: text-to-give, Giving Tuesday held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, or a letter directly appealing to you. Organizations usually depend on donations to offset unexpected expenses resulting from change of plans. For example – The NAD Youth Leadership Camp, had to pivot from an in person camping experience to online due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The NAD sought donations to make it free for individuals who were to attend in person

online, and also supported the new technological aspects needed to ensure a successful online YLC experience.

In addition to the great feeling you get when you support a charity, there is another benefit. When you donate to a charitable organization, you can reduce the amount of taxes you owe when you file your taxes each year.

What is a tax-deductible donation?

When you make a tax-deductible donation, you then can reduce your taxable income. To claim deductible donations on your taxes, you must itemize on your tax return by filing a Schedule A of the IRS Form 1040. In general, you need to itemize at tax time, but you need to weigh the cost and benefits whether itemizing takes more time than if you were to take standard deduction. If you don’t itemize - you will lose out on taking deduction for what you donated. It is best to consult with a tax professional to plan your tax-deductible contribution and see how it helps you at the time you file.

Who can you donate to?

Your charitable giving will qualify for tax deduction only if it goes to a tax-exempt organization, as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Most 501(c)(3) entities include religious organizations, non-profit service organizations, non-profit educational agencies, museums, volunteer fire departments, or organizations that maintain public parks. You can verify an organization’s status with ‘Tax Exempt Organization Search’. In the deaf community, many state associations have 501(c) (3) status along with other local, state, or national deaf-run non-profit organizations such as Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS), Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA), the NAD, or NBDA.

There are many ways you can make tax deductible donations - when an organization’s year end annual

appeal letter is sent your way during the holiday season, you make a donation. Giving Tuesday –make a donation. Text-to-Give – make a donation.

There are some rules that spell out what is not tax-deductible. For example, your donation to an individual is not tax deductible. Donating to GoFundMe page, is not tax deductible unless it is given to the 501(c)(3) organization directly.

Document your contributions

Keep track of your tax-deductible donations, no matter the amount. If you make a monetary contribution, qualifying documentation includes a bank statement, a credit card statement and a receipt from the charity, or a canceled check. If you make a contribution as an automatic deduction from your paycheck through your employer, keep copies of your W-2 or pay stubs showing the amount and date of your donation. If you donate household items, you will need to write down the value of the item. If you make a donation more than $250 to one organization – you need to have the receipt from the organization which should include the date, and amount.

Now that you know what you need in order to keep records of your tax-deductible donation, you can use different systems that you prefer - it could be as simple as a file folder to hold receipts, photos of your donations and other documentation throughout the year. It should also include a tracking sheet where you can jot down the date and name of charity and what kind of donation. If you’re using technology to stay organized, you can use programs like Notes, Evernote, or OneNote which lets you scan, import, and store receipts, photos, and other data in an organized system, which you can search and assemble at tax time. There is also a free or low-cost app or online tracker you could download on your phone that could help you capture information you need throughout the year, and provides you with output when you are ready to prepare your taxes. Examples includes ItsDeductible or iGiveIt.

Don’t miss out on other forms of tax deductions

The IRS does not let you deduct the value of your time or service to the organization, but expenses related to volunteering for a qualified organization can be taxdeductible donations.

• The expense must be directly and solely connected to the volunteer work you did.

• Your tax-deductible donation can include mileage you drive to charitable events and volunteer opportunities, or mileage you used to bring items to a donation site.

• You can either deduct the actual expense using receipts for gas and similar costs, or you can take the standard mileage deduction, which for tax year 2022 - is .14 cents per mile.

• Keep your receipts if you plan to deduct your actual expenses; you may need them if you’re audited.

Example: If you serve as a board member of a state association or non-profit affiliate - you can deduct your unreimbursed expenses for travel, including reasonable amounts for meals and lodging, while away from home overnight for the conference you may be attending. However, if you use the time away for the charitable organization along with personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel - then those expenses are not deductible.

So, using the information above, get the great feeling of supporting a charity – make a donation, no matter the amount. You can make a difference and you can be part of the solution!

Michelle Cline (she, hers) is the Treasurer at the NAD.

It makes it more special when we, as a Deaf Community, contribute to Deaf-Led organizations to support their goals.

Advocacy Letters: How to use them

Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hard of hearing people still face discrimination in different situations. To address these critical and important gaps, the NAD developed a series of advocacy letters for people from our community to use as a first step to resolve such situations. Note, these letters are not intended to provide legal advice – these letters are for you to educate yourself and others. The NAD hopes these letters help you avoid long legal battles because at the end of the day, providing no access is wrong and is considered discriminatory. If you use these letters and have success, please let us know!

BY ANNA BITENCOURT (she, hers) AND MELISSA LEVINE (she, hers)

SITUATION

You are a student who has spent a lot of time studying for an exam and now you’re ready to take it. You also contacted the testing center a few weeks ago and asked that they provide a sign language interpreter, but they declined. As you are waiting for the exam to begin, the proctor begins speaking. You don’t know what the proctor is saying and are worried the information is very important.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Courses and Examinations

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

When the testing center declines to provide an interpreter, you can share the advocacy letter with the testing center and explain that it is the center’s responsibility to provide and pay for a sign language interpreter for the exam. After reading the letter, the testing center should agree to arrange a qualified interpreter for the exam.

SITUATION

You are a deaf parent of a hearing child who goes to a public school. Your child will be in a school play that is coming up soon and you’re excited to watch your child perform with their classmates! You asked the school to provide a sign language interpreter, but they declined. Naturally, you’re disappointed because you will still go watch your child, but you won’t understand anything.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Public and Charter Schools

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

When the school declines to provide an interpreter, you can share the advocacy letter with the school and explain that it’s the school’s responsibility to provide an interpreter for the school play. After reading the letter, the school should agree to provide a qualified interpreter and, as the parent, you are able to enjoy your child’s performance.

SITUATION

You filed a lawsuit and need to go to court. You contacted the court a few weeks ago and requested an ASL interpreter. The court responded that they would look into it. When you show up in court, there’s no ASL interpreter.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE

Courts

RESULTS

WE WANT INSTEAD

You or your lawyer should share the advocacy letter with the court and the court should agree to provide qualified sign language interpreters. The court proceedings may have to be postponed so that an interpreter can be there. It is important that you have access to all the information exchanged during court.

SITUATION

You were just denied accommodations by your employer, and you want to consult with an employment discrimination attorney about what happened. You find an attorney that you feel comfortable with and schedule a consultation. You also ask the attorney to provide a sign language interpreter and the attorney agrees but tells you that you have to pay for the interpreter.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Attorneys or Lawyers

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

Once you share the advocacy letter with the attorney, the attorney agrees to cover the cost of interpreter services for all meetings with you.

SITUATION

You have been the victim of a crime and need to go to the police station to file a report. You call the station and ask the police to provide

an interpreter. The police agree, but when you arrive at the station you learn that the “interpreter” is really a police officer who only knows a few signs.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Police

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You share the advocacy letter with the police, and they understand that they must provide a qualified professional sign language interpreter when it is necessary for effective communication. The police schedule a qualified professional sign language interpreter, and you are able to effectively communicate with the police to file the report.

SITUATION

You need to meet with your parole officer about your curfew. You make an appointment and request a sign language interpreter. The officer responds that they don’t provide interpreters, but that you may bring a family or friend with you to help interpret.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Parole and Probation Offices

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You share the advocacy letter with the parole officer, and they agree to provide a qualified professional sign language interpreter for the meeting. You are able to understand important information about your curfew and avoid a parole violation.

SITUATION

Your favorite actor is going to star in one of your favorite plays. You coordinate with a friend and buy your tickets. You also contact the theater to ask them to provide captioning for the play. The theater responds that they don’t have a captioning device and refunds your ticket.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Theaters and Concert Halls

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

When the theater declines to provide captioning, you send them the advocacy letter. The theater understands their obligations and agrees to contact a captioning service to ensure that captions are provided for you to enjoy the show with your friend.

SITUATION

You saved up and bought tickets to see your favorite performer at a concert. This performer has not had a concert in years, so this is a big deal! You contact the venue and ask for an interpreter. The venue responds that they do not provide interpreters and refunds your ticket.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Festivals and Concerts

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You enjoy concerts and festivals as much as everyone else! When the venue refuses to provide an interpreter, you share the advocacy letter with the venue. The venue then understands their obligations and agrees to provide qualified sign language interpreters for the concert.

SITUATION

You are a deaf doctor and attend several conferences every year. These conferences are a great opportunity to learn more about your field and meet other doctors and professionals. You book your trip and contact the conference hosts to request interpreters. The conference hosts agree to provide an interpreter for a few workshops, but not for all workshops and nor for other conference events.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Conferences and Workshops

ADVOCACY

LETTERS: HOW TO USE THEM

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

After reading the advocacy letter that you shared, the conference host understands that they shouldn’t limit your participation in the conference by offering to provide sign language interpreters for just a few workshops. The conference host agrees to provide a qualified sign language interpreter for all workshops and any other events at the conference in which you wish to participate.

SITUATION

Your family booked their first cruise trip and you’re all looking forward to this vacation. You find out that there will be many shows and events during the cruise, and evening drills to brief passengers on safety protocol. You know that you’ll need a sign language interpreter to understand everything. You contact the cruise company to request a sign language interpreter for the trip. The cruise company refuses to provide an interpreter and asks if any of your family members can interpret for you.

ADVOCACY

LETTER TO USE Cruise Ships

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

When you share the advocacy letter with the cruise ship, they understand their responsibility and agree to provide a qualified sign language interpreter for the trip. You are able to enjoy and participate in all of the events during the trip and don’t miss out on important safety instructions.

SITUATION

You are looking forward to a presentation and book signing by your favorite author at your local library. You ask the library to provide an ASL interpreter for this exciting event. The library responds that they do not provide interpreter services.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Museums, Libraries and Galleries

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

After you share the advocacy letter with the library, the library understands their responsibility and agrees to provide a qualified sign language interpreter, so you are able to enjoy the book event.

SITUATION

You are visiting a town that has historical homes dating back to the Civil War. You learn that there is a company that provides tours by a knowledgeable guide who can take you on a tour, sharing fascinating history about the homes.

You contact the company to book your tour and request a sign language interpreter. The company responds that you are responsible to bring your own interpreter.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Guided Tours

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You share the advocacy letter with the tour company. After reading the letter, the tour company understands their responsibility and agrees to provide a qualified interpreter.

SITUATION

Your deaf grandfather is in a nursing home. When you visit, he tells you that he struggles to communicate with the nurses and he has been unable to participate in the fun activities provided by the nursing home, such as bingo night. You contact the nursing home administrators and ask that they provide a sign language interpreter for your grandfather. They decline.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Long-Term Care Facilities

ADVOCACY LETTERS: HOW TO USE THEM

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

After reading the advocacy letter that you shared, the nursing home understands their responsibility and provides qualified sign language interpreters for their residents who need them. Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hard of hearing residents must be able to communicate with their nurses, doctors, and other staff at the nursing home and be able to participate in all events and activities provided by the facility.

SITUATION

You schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor and email the office to request a sign language interpreter. The office confirms that they will provide an interpreter. A few hours before your appointment, you had a family emergency – you call the office to reschedule your appointment. Later, you receive a bill from the office for the interpreter’s cancellation fee.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Healthcare

Providers

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You share the advocacy letter with the doctor’s office, and they understand that they cannot charge you for any of the interpreter’s fees including the cancellation fee. They waive the bill.

SITUATION

You scheduled a doctor’s appointment and asked for an interpreter. The doctor agrees to provide an interpreter but when you arrive at your appointment you realize that they set up a Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) monitor for your appointment. The office tells you that they will not provide in-person interpreters anymore. You agree to try using VRI, but it does not work well, the image is choppy, the interpreter has a hard time understanding the doctor as their audio

ADVOCACY LETTERS: HOW TO USE THEM

is not clear, and the doctor and the interpreter struggle to understand each other. You are unable to communicate with your doctor.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) in Healthcare Settings and/or VRI Wallet Card (see below)

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

Only when qualified on-site interpreters are unavailable in urgent matters should providers consider VRI services to “fill the gap”, sometimes even temporarily until an on-site interpreter is available. If VRI services are not effective and you are not able to understand or they cannot understand you, healthcare providers must furnish an on-site interpreter promptly.

SITUATION

You and your partner are searching for a new home for your growing family. You see that there is a realtor service with listings that interest you. You make an appointment to meet with the realtor and ask them to provide a sign language interpreter. The realtor responds that they do not have access to an interpreter.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE

Real Estate Professionals and Entities

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

When the realtor declines to provide interpreter services, you share the advocacy letter along with a list of local interpreters and agencies. After reading the letter, the realtor understands their responsibility and agrees to provide a qualified interpreter for the meeting.

SITUATION

You walk into a bar with friends to watch a game. There are many TV screens showing different games, but none of them have captions turned on. You call over the bartender and ask them to turn on the captioning on all the TVs. The bartender calls over the manager who tells you that they can’t turn on the captioning because it is too distracting for their hearing customers.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Televisions in Public Places

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

When the manager declines to turn on the captioning, you share the advocacy letter with the manager. After reading the letter, the manager understands and turns on the captions for the TVs. You and your friends can enjoy any games on the TVs and continue cheering for your favorite teams.

Cut or tear at perforation.

ADVOCACY LETTERS: HOW TO USE THEM

SITUATION

You call your local salon via Video Relay Services (VRS) on your videophone to make an appointment for a haircut. Every time you call, the salon staff think that your call is a scam and hang up on you.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Business and Other Places of Public Accommodations | Accepting Calls Placed Through Relay Services

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You share the advocacy letter with the salon and educate the salon staff on the use of relay services. Salon staff understand and accept all relay calls and no longer hang up on you.

SITUATION

You need to call your bank to ask about your account. You use your videophone to call through Video Relay Services (VRS). When you connect with a bank representative, the representative tells you that they cannot proceed with the call because of the relay interpreter and the bank’s policy does not permit third parties in the call.

ADVOCACY LETTER TO USE Banks and Lending Institutions | Accepting Calls Placed Through Relay Services

RESULTS WE WANT INSTEAD

You share the advocacy letter with the bank and the bank understands that they must accept the call with the relay interpreter. The deaf person is able to successfully and securely communicate with the bank representative about their account.

Cut or tear at perforation.

Anna Bitencourt (she, hers) is a Senior Attorney at the NAD.

Melissa Levine (she, hers) is a legal intern at the NAD and J.D. Candidate at Brooklyn Law School.

DONOR LIST

The list below recognizes donations made by individuals and organizations to the NAD from April 2022 – September 2022. Donors are listed under the designated fund. If a fund is not designated, donors are listed under the general fund. Individual donors are recognized by their level of giving. Organizational donors are recognized by their member type. Individuals and organizations who are not members are listed as friends of the NAD.

There is a Donor Key on the right for individual giving levels and organization member status. Roman numerals following Benefactors (B) identify cumulative donation amounts in $1,000 increments.

Bequest

The NAD expresses great appreciation for the generous bequest from:

The Estate of James F. Perhai

Annual Fund Campaign –General Huda Abuahmad, C

Jonathan Adler & Ellis Brown, FON

Abigail Ahearn, A Roy Allen, A Anonymous, FON Mark Apodaca, BIX

Rena Jo Arnold, S

Koren Baker, FON Lauren Barrett, FON Suzann Bedrosian, BI

Sephora Bernard, FON Temeka Borden, FON Marcy Borneman, A Yohanna Briscoe, FON Jeanette Brossman, A Frank Burckardt, P William Burke, FON James Christianson Jr., C Danna Claborn, C

Kyle Amber Clarke, C Janis Cole, P

Juliana Collins, A Anna Creger,FON

Suzette Dasilva, FON

Lisa Davis McCarter, FON Marcy Deck, FON Jennifer Demiter, FON Michael Diaz, FON Karen Dishno Voss, BI

Valerie Dively, P Susan Dupor, C Daniel Eisenberg, FON

Elizabeth Falkos, A Anita Farb, BXI

Melchior Fernandez, A Raymond Francini, A Anghy Franco, FON Steven Frank, BI

Amy Free, FON

Donald Galloway, BIII Dylan Geil, FON

Phyllis Genest-Stein, A Margaret Genson, FON Molly Glauser, C Jane Golightly, BIII Joslene Gomez, A James Gordon, FON Debra Gorra Barash, A Rod & Artie Grassman, BI Donna Hamilton, S Thomas & Kathryn Harbison, BII

Michael Harder, A Amelia Hart, C

Perry Hauck, FON

Marie Victoria Haurie, FON Jerry & Connie Held, FON Robert & Patricia Herbold, BII

Diana Herron, P

Tara Higgins, FON

Carol Hilbinger, A Ronald & Catherine Hirano, BXVII

Thomas Holcomb & Michele Berke, BIII

Perry Holmes, A Jaclyn Holsomback, A Inna Hoover, FON Marlene Hostovsky, C Stephen & Judith Hurvitz, FON

Stacey Hutchison, A Rae Johnson, BVI

DONOR KEY

B = Benefactor ($1,000 and up)

P = Patron ($500-$999)

S = Sustaining Member ($250-$499)

C = Contributing Member ($100-$249)

A = Advancing Member (up to $99)

SA = State Association Affiliate

FON = Friends of the NAD

OA = Organizational Affiliate

Taylor Johnson, A Jill Josselson, C Cheryl Keeter, C Nikolas Kelly, A Christine Kim. BII Laura Kim,A Berti Klein, FON Robin Koch, FON Christopher Krentz, FON Mara Land, A Daniel Lasher, A Kathryn Laughlin, P Irene Leigh, BVI Beverly LeMieux, BI Brenda LeMieux, BI Karen Leslie-Henry, C Jacqueline Lightfoot, BI Carol Litherland,P Matthew Lockhart & Julie Bourne, BV Janice Loggins, A Betty Lynch, BIV Eric Macher, FON Marian Mahoney, FON Bruce Makowski, BI Deborah Makowski, S Terry Malcolm, A Cathleen Markland, BI Amber Martin, A Lisa Martynec, FON Atheel Mary, P Carla Mathers, BII Kristy Mathisen, FON Charles Matza, C Kristina May, FON Abby McArthur-Self, FON Brian McMahon, BI Cassidy Mead, FON Beth Metlay, A Lindsay Meyer, A Robin Mills, BI

Carrie Moore, A Milmaglyn Morales, BI Sharon Morency Bryant, BXIII Judith Mounty, BIII Susan Murray, FON Michael Neeper, FON Robert Nielsen, FON Jill O’Leske, FON April Onate, FON Gloria Pagan, S Kellyann Parry, S Leonard Peacock, BVIII Klaudia Persson, FON Sujata Rao, FON Heidi Reed, BI Carolyn Ressler, A Doug Richards, FON Len Roberson, A Stephanie Robinson, A Kelly Robison, C Bryon Rowe, BI Deborah Sampson, P Daniel Schaffer, FON Derek Schmieg, FON Kathleen Schoenberg,, C J. Matt & Susan Searls, BII David Sheneman, BI Julia Silvestri, A Karen Simpson, C Roger & Connie Smedman, P Thomas Smelko, Jr., C Ann Smith, BII Janet Smith, P Martha Smith, A Nancy Sneed, C Paul Wayne Spevacek, BI

Vicky Stockton, A Beverly Stokem, P James Stull, BI Robert Tape, C Indira Taraliene, FON

Ian Taras, FON

LeRoy Terrio Jr., BI Hartmut Teuber & Janice Cagan Teuber, BIV Angelia Thomas, S Ron Thorne, FON Deanna Tilden, C Erin Timperlake, FON Lillian Tompkins, P Carol Tyson, FON Kelly Ann Vision, FON Andrew Waldron, A Michael Wallace, A Susan Wallace, FON Elaine Wargo, FON Jamie Wernlein, A Elizabeth Weyerhaeuser, BIV Brennon White, FON Vanessa Whitehead, FON Leandra Williams, P Samuel Williamson, BI Jennifer Witteborg, C Tatianna Wrskaia, FON Allon Yomtov, A Qun Zhang,FON

Stephanie Zito, C Amazon Smile Foundation, FON American Charities, FON Benevity, FON BGE, Ltd, FON Facebook Donations, FON Faceview Masks, FON Fidelity Charitable, FON Frontstream, FON IBM Employee Service Center, FON Network For Good, FON NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, OA Pledgeling Foundation, FON Raytheon Technologies, FON Your Cause, FON

Annual Fund Campaign –Education Advocacy

Douglas Bremmer, FON Dorothea Cappadona, FON Anna Gauthier, P

Kelly Graham, FON Ryan Lawson, FON

Kathy Manlapas, C

Hilary McSharry, FON Jenna Overby, C Melvin & Wendy Raitt King, FON

Lisa Schulman, A Ruth Stern, BIV

Ian Taras, FON

Kittipong Thaothong, FON Erin Timperlake, FON James Tucker, BII

Annual Fund Campaign –International Ronald Sperry, BII

Annual Fund CampaignLaw and Advocacy

Barbara Cassin,A Wyleane Darden, A Lewis & Alma Fowler, BI Brian Greenwald, P Irene Leigh, BVI Richard Malcolm, BI Teresa Moon Flaherty, P Sharon Morency Bryant, BXIII Derek Schmieg, FON Crystina Scott, P J. Matt & Susan Searls, BII Erin Timperlake, FON Wanda Witczak, FON Steven Weigandt, BII

Sarah Herrlinger, FON Julie Lehto, P Carrie Martin, A Lissette Molina Wood, BIII Teresa Moon Flaherty, P April Onate, FON Antone Pham, FON Arlene Rice, P Colleen Richart, FON Rebecca Rydstrom, S Derek Schmieg, FON Joel Silberstein, BII Erin Timperlake, FON Jason Vigil, FON Christopher Wagner, BV Robert Williamson, FON

In Honor…

Abigail’s Birthday Carol Gill, FON Jessica Indomenico, FON

Alison & Stephen’s Wedding Karen Klimek, FON

Theresa Antoinette’s Birthday

Brendan Anthony, FON Bobby Bullock, FON Joe D’Ambrosio, FON Carol Fanning, FON Jody-Marie Frankovits, FON Sarah Nessing, FON

Serita Atire’s Birthday Delores Pruitt-Polite, FON

Jessica Bellewood, C Eileen Drewery, FON

Valarie Bicknell, FON Cheryl Leone, FON Emily Perry, FON

Taylor Bierbrodt’s Birthday Christine Peel, FON

Boldoo’s Birthday

Shuree Gootiiz, FON Curtis Wilson, FON

Bill Britt’s Birthday

Crystal Martin, FON Cody Watton, FON

Amanda Brook Emberton Clifton’s Birthday

Brian Belden, FON

Myra Davis, FON

Malinda Moseley Howard, FON

Tammy Cannon Kelly Graham, FON

Jennifer Carpenter’s Birthday Hilary McSharry, FON

Chris’ Birthday

Patricia Acerra, FON Robert Clark’s Birthday GarKat Clark, FON

Randall Cohen Ian Taras, FON

John Collins Birthday Kim Ch, FON

Nancy J. Bloch Leadership & Advocacy Scholarship

Inna Hoover, FON Lunn Null, BVII Derek Schmieg, FON

Frank R. Turk Youth Leadership Scholarship

Paul Blicharz, BIV Derek Schmieg, FON

Annual Fund Campaign –Youth Leadership

Joel & Judy Adelman, FON Karen Atwood, C Robert Bausch, C

Lizzie & Carrie Bloom, BI Thomas & Shirley Desrosier, P Ellen Foshay Fleming, C Rosalyn Gannon, BXI Michelle Gerson Wagner, C Daniel Girard, P Robert Gleicher, FON Stephanie Hakulin, C

Scott Berend’s Birthday Jill Lee, FON Denyse Lozier, FON Terri McMullen, FON Michelle Pacquet, FON Penny Stewart, FON

Jessica Berke’s Birthday Jessica Berke, FON June McMahon, BIII

Melissa Beyer Coate’s Birthday Lori Reese, FON

Sammi Bicknell’s Birthday

Rebecca Bicknell, FON Sammi Bicknell, FON

Angelique Genevieve, FON Christina Henderson, FON Lis Lemoine, FON Maggie Rabiteau, FON

Shirley W. Cooley’s Birthday

Shirley Cooley, FON Brenda Jones, FON

Dona Smith, FON

Alyson Rose Daly

Betty Zimmerman, FON

Luci Danish’s Birthday

Abigail Burk, FON

Marjorie Sandberg, FON

Deaf Business Mark Sullivan, BI

Sriyyah DeBose’s Birthday

Sriyyah DeBose, FON

Mari deBoshir

Inna Hoover, FON

Julie Desmarais Abigail Browngoehl, FON

Gina DiNicola’s Birthday

Mona Cedar, FON Tim & Mary Donovan Conrad & Abby Myers, FON

Debbie Downey

Bobbie Faye Downey, A

Jenn Dumas Birthday Dawn Price Dumas, FON

Yvonna Eaton’s Birthday

Yvonna Eaton, FON Wendy Hand, FON Amber Kingery-Gordon, FON Lutke, FON

Erica Eisenberg Daniel Eisenberg, FON

D’yann Elaine’s Birthday

Anyssa Flores, FON Micki Woods Wante, FON

Khalid Elam’s Birthday Melody Frazier, FON

Julie Ess Birthday

Jables Benavidez, FON Jennifer Brown, FON Heather Ruth Bruns, FON Lindsay Marmon, FON Rena Sriracha, FON Marcie Storch, FON

Bobby Finley’s Birthday

Sharon Layland, FON Tammy Thompson-Thomas, FON

Geraldine Francini’s Birthday

Joseph & Kay Francis Rose, BVII

Zach Furrow’s Birthday

Barbara Bechtel, FON Paula Brazier, FON Wendy Furrow, FON Carl Pachilis, FON

Katrina Fusco’s Birthday

Katrina Fusco, FON

Danielle Guidotti, FON Jessica Jensen, FON

Ashley Gailliot Roach’s Birthday

Tianna Crawford, FON Matt Froelich, FON James Gailliot, FON Ashley Gailliot Roach, FON

Desy Gallardo’s Birthday Desy Gallardo, FON Raven Spieldenner, FON Desy Townsend, FON

Maryann Garling’s Birthday Maryann Garling, FON

Jennifer Gnann’s Birthday

Patti HeaukulaniGallagher, FON

Lucas Christopher Greene’s Birthday Nora Hardy, FON

Agnes Gumba Tara Higgins, FON

Kenny Hack’s Birthday

Daniel Capote, FON Jeff Compton,FON Trevor Jones, FON Nenita Linton, FON Shideh Shahideh-Doerr, FON Christina Smith, FON Allan Stam, FON

Stephanie Hakulin’s Birthday

Rachel Cane, FON Meg Harris, FON Stephanie Hakulin, C Anna Nolan, C John Pirone, P Julia Taylor, FON Andrew Veith, A

Olivia Hamblin’s Birthday

Tiffany Ahrens, FON Nanette Waddilove, FON

Amanda Hewitt’s Birthday

Al Csorba, FON Amanda Hewitt, FON Bill Hewitt, FON Liana Hewitt, FON

Michael Hewitt’s Birthday

Diane Bernardo, FON Melissa Bernardo Hess, FON Debbie Bloom, FON Michael Hewitt, FON Dennis Tubbs, FON Tamara Jackson-Crues Douglas Bremmer, FON Daisy Jasmine’s Birthday James Appleby, FON Richard Dobson, FON Sharyn Feldman, FON Collin Gifford, FON Shan Hays, FON Grace Jasmine, FON

Kim Jefferson’s Birthday Kim Jefferson, FON Leigha Jefferson, FON Paul Jefferson, FON Angela McRae, FON Julie Rising, FON

Jillean’s Birthday Abigail Coyer, A Torrey Stouder-Studenmund, FON

Alex-Scotty Jones Birthday Kenley Holbrook, FON The Meldrums, FON

Anita Jones Birthday Beth Strong, FON

Benny Karimodal’s Birthday Kate Dore, FON Jimmy Harcar, FON

Katherine’s Birthday Heather Benetti, FON Kammermeyer, FON

Kathleen’s Birthday Barbara Adde, FON

Stephanie Kovalcik Daniel Schaffer, FON

Amanda Leann’s Birthday

Sharon Crawford, FON Trista Eckman, FON

Gabbi Lee’s Birthday

Damian Brown, FON Christian Gajda, FON Carrie Lee, FON Scott Sparks, FON

Jacob Leffler’s Birthday

John Berry Jr., FON Shawn Berry, FON Mike Burke, FON

Lynda Clarke, FON Traci Ison, S Tina Jacobs Joyner, A Angela Jean, FON

Louise Rollins, FON Ginger Shekell, FON Hill Stables, FON

Chris Lopez’s Birthday

Andrea Lopez, FON Jenn Lopez, FON Jane Mountford Lopez, FON Stephan Rose, FON

Ivelisse Lopez’s Birthday Mandy Desmond, FON

Laura Lora’s Birthday

Cindy Blair, P Mandy Ludwig, FON

Steve Lovi Kevin & Ellen Glassberg, S

Justin Lu’s Birthday

Henry Greenspan, FON Jim Lancendorfer, FON Patrick Tierney, FON Zephyr Wilkins, FON

Julie Magiera’s Birthday Julie Magiera, A

Branden McCarter

Lisa Davis McCarter, FON

Kelly McConnal’s Birthday Kathleen Olakunie, FON

Lauri Meotti

The Walter E. Schmid Family Foundation, FON

DONOR LIST

Emily Miller’s Birthday

Sean Kinney, FON Scott Miller, FON

Kevin Miller’s Birthday

Rebecca Bellamy, FON Kent Miller, FON Kevin Miller, FON Rob Park, FON Todd Park, FON Michael Richardson, FON Rosemary Seiwald, FON

Krysta Mills Birthday

Rebecca Chwirut, FON Krysta Mills, FON Marion Worrell, FON

Pamela Minister Logan Mackerl’s Birthday

Polly Brekke, FON Sharon Grayer, FON Michelle Love, FON Pamela Mackerl, FON Willie Weems, FON

Lauren Minor’s Birthday

Alison Danvers, FON Karen Danvers, FON Cordelia Persen, FON

NAD Board and Staff Beth Metlay, A Christopher Wagner, BV

Rhonda O’Connor Ondrej’s Birthday Connie McClammy, FON

Katie O’Leary’s Birthday Christopher Clark, FON

Emily Oakes Birthday Ryan Lawson, FON

Tommy Oliver’s Birthday

Brent Blythe, FON Jane Crosbie, FON Rick Diamond, FON Wink Gaines, FON Blossom Gardner, FON James Joyce, FON Libby Knollmeyer, FON Tommy Oliver, FON Rolaine Vandenburg, FON

Pauline Rakowski’s Birthday

Sharon Conboy, FON

Joey Jack Ellis, FON Tim Fenton, FON

Meg Harris, FON

Patrick Knapp, FON

Dianne McKinley, FON Beth Pashley, FON

Eleanor Scheidelman, FON KM Wehrung, FON

Rahul B. Raval’s Birthday Eileen Drewery, FON

Reggie’s Birthday

Camillia Johnson, FON

Howard Rosenblum Thomas Holcomb & Michele Berke, BIII

Michelle Ruben’s Birthday

Pamela Golum, FON Devon McLeod, FON James Ruben, FON Linda Ruben, FON

Jacob Ullman, FON Judi Weinstein-Ruben, FON

Ira Rubenstein

Ian Taras, FON

Kevin Ryan’s Birthday

Paul Costello, FON Tracy Hemmingway, FON Tom Mathers, FON June McMahon, BIII Kevin Ryan, BI

Javi Saliz’s Birthday Francisco Colon, FON

Brenda Sample Hall’s Birthday

Chris Ferguson, FON Kim Ferguson, FON Brandon Hall, FON

Dennise Scott’s Birthday

Joseph & Kay Francis Rose, BVII

Jessica Scott’s Birthday Erika Smith, FON

Gage Semones Birthday

Cathy Marquez, FON Carl Semones, FON Gage Semones, FON

Chris Sharpton’s Birthday Jade Swafford, FON

Amanda J. Simmons Birthday

Teresa Carson, FON Colleen Hendrix, FON Amanda Simmons, FON

Julian ‘Buddy’ Singleton’s Birthday

Dwight & Beth Benedict, BII Lisa Jacobs, BII James Tucker, BII

Jonathan Smith’s Birthday

Carla Deloach, FON Mike Otes, FON Jonathan Smith, FON Karen Smith, FON

Social Media Meetings and Lectures

Marcy Borneman, A

St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf Amelia Concepcion, A

Kayla Stubbs Kristy Mathisen, FON

Daniel Tamburello’s Birthday

Lewis Bryson, FON Ruth Taras Ian Taras, FON

Cassie Teresi’s Birthday Cassie Teresi, FON Amanda Verill, FON

Erin Timperlake & Bill Barnwell’s Wedding

Jonathan Adler & Ellis Brown, FON

Tuan Tran April Onate, FON

Gabe Tunstall’s Birthday

Julie Schneider-Powell, FON

Frank Turk

Jeffrey Lewis, A Joel Silberstein, BII

Rachael Vanhoosen Derek Schmieg, FON

James Vickstrom’s Birthday

Lucy Anthony, FON Cindy Hay, FON Pam Ryan, FON

Jacqueline Talley, FON Sarah Vickstrom, FON

Christianna Walker’s Birthday

Sharon Campbell, FON Carye Chapman, FON

Jacqueline Coffey Kaufman, FON Lorraine Conley-Walker, FON

Kathleen William’s Birthday

Barbara Adde, FON Suzanne Hite, FON Sharon Mattis, FON Stacy Shore, FON

Amy Williamson’s Birthday

Susan Braudrick, FON Alan Einstein, FON Abby Williamson, FON

Alicia Windisch’s Birthday Ashley Leonard, FON

Ethel & Ray Winters

Linda Bellew, FON

In Support…

BIPOC Section

Carie Barrett, A Marlene Hostovsky, C Derek Schmieg, FON Erin Timperlake, FON

DeafBlind Section

Kent Bass, FON

Inna Hoover, FON

Judith & Stephen Hurvitz, FON Eric Macher, FON

Kittipong Thaothong, FON Erin Timperlake, FON

Deaf Culture & History Section

Cheryl Gallon, C

Kathy Manlapas, C Amber Martin, A Kittipong Thaothong, FON Erin Timperlake, FON

NDEC/Education Section

Melvin & Wendy Raitt King, FON

Lisa Schulman, A Erin Timperlake, FON

Interpreter Section

Danielle Ayres, FON Renee Bragg, FON Katherine DeWitt, C Ala Dorvil, FON Alice Ann Friends, S Janet Parker, A Derek Schmieg, FON Glenda Stamper, FON Christopher Susek, FON Erin Timperlake, FON

Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender Section

Abigail Browngoehl, FON Kathy Manlapas, C Samantha Moore, A Erin Timperlake, FON

Senior Citizens Section

Phil & Trudy Hassinger, FON

Melvin & Wendy Raitt King, FON Ben Roth, FON Erin Timperlake, FON

Youth Leadership Section

Samantha Moore, A April Onate, FON

Kittipong Thaothong, FON Erin Timperlake, FON

In Memory...

Robert M. Braid

Steve Jones, P

William E. Burbine III

Stephen & Judith Hurvitz, FON

Raylyn A. Carlson

Kristina May, FON

Bryan Chan Antone Pham, FON

Dana Cinelli Rachel Miura, FON

John Patrick Conway Robin Koch, FON

David Copeland Karen Copeland, FON Luann Copeland, FON

Beverly A. Dankert

Kathleen Krieger, FON Lynn Hajdu, FON The Angelus Corp., FON

John Ennis Jenna Overby, C

Robert Estey Ben Roth, FON

Natalie Evershed

Derek Schmieg, FON

Nancy Gallagher Thomas Gallagher, BI

Jack Gannon Anita Farb, BXI

Phyllis Held Jerry & Connie Held, FON

Edie Hotchkiss Pat McCullough, P Wanda Hull Lynn Null, BVII

Helen Jackson Caroline Jackson, BI

Barbara Kannapell Elizabeth Weyerhaeuser, BIV

Celia Klaus Elena Marks, FON Peggy Lawson Lillie Cost, FON

Nora Lynch Dorothea Cappadona, FON

Hillary Martin Knight Judy & Joel Adelman, FON

Celia Anne McCrossen St. Michael and All Angels Church, FON

Mildred McMurphy

Trudy & Phil

Hassinger, FON

Christina Nevarez Joslene Gomez, A

Hema Rao Sujata Rao, FON

Carola Rasmus

Hilary Ainbender, P J. Matt & Susan Searls, BII Ruth Stern, BIV

Dr. Delight Rice

Ronald & Catherine Hirano, BXVII

Christian Sheffer

Suzanne Lemka, FON

Christa I. Shiffer

Karen Garofallou, FON Zenith Gladieux, FON Shawna Lambert, FON

Brian & Susan Melick, FON Norman & Janice Wehren-Nissen, FON Ed & Dottie Young, FON

Bishop Stoneman

Derek Schmieg, FON

Judith Wallace Robert Nielsen, FON

Kathryn Williams Margaret Genson, FON

IN MEMORIAM

Frances Bourne, Benefactor I

Robert M. Braid, Contributing Member

William E. Burbine, Friend of the NAD

Bryan Chan, Friend of the NAD

John Patrick Conway, Friend of the NAD

Beverly A. Dankert, Friend of the NAD

Worthy V. Devericks Sr., Advancing Member

John Ennis, Benefactor I

Robert Estey, Friend of the NAD

Douglas A. Evans, Patron

Phyllis Held, Friend of the NAD

Bruce Herzig, Benefactor I

Peggy Lawson, Friend of the NAD

James Mason, Sustaining Member

Celia McCrossen- Klaus, Sustaining Member

Mildred McMurphy, Friend of the NAD

Christina Nevarez, Friend of the NAD

Kevin Peacock, Advancing Member

Carola Rasmus, Contributing Member

Christa Shiffer, Friend of the NAD

Delores Summers, Advancing Member

Kathryn Williams, Contributing Member

8630 Fenton Street, Ste. 820 Silver Spring, MD 20910

President Jenny wraps up the #NADretreat | Fall 2022.