Featured Charity: National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
As the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, this week’s featured charity has led the way in advocacy for the rights of a community through the efforts of that community's own members.
What our organization does:
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), established in 1880, 
is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The NAD advocates on a federal level in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, housing, technology, telecommunications, transportation, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD achieves this federal advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations.
As the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, the NAD has led the way in advocacy for the rights of a community through the efforts of that community's own members. The NAD takes action on behalf of the thoughts, desires, ideals, and goals of the deaf and hard of hearing community in achieving equality on our terms. The NAD incorporates the principles of self-representation, self-determination, and self-expression, using American Sign Language, in our activities.
In addition to its advocacy activities, the NAD has two continuous Youth Leadership Programs:
Junior NAD: A nationwide network of chapters for deaf 
and hard of hearing students from 7th through 12th grade, Junior NAD provides opportunities in leadership development, training, networking, as well as advocacy in local, state, and national communities.
NAD Youth Leadership Camp (YLC): The NAD Youth Leadership Camp is a nationally renowned intensive four-week summer camp program for deaf and hard of hearing high school students and leaders. During their stay, students develop their self-identity, confidence, and self-esteem, and they leave equipped with the knowledge and skill-set they need to pursue advocacy goals in their communities.
You can help the National Association of the Deaf achieve its goal of equality by volunteering your services, or by donating to the NAD.
By volunteering for the NAD, you can help us achieve tangible goals by contributing your valuable time towards many tasks, including membership recruitment, media production and writing, database management and data entry, legal research, conference preparations and assistance, and increasing awareness about our programs and services.
Donations can be made in several ways:
- Web site: Give through our organization’s website at www.nad.org/donate;
- Workplace Giving Program: Pledge a gift through automatic payroll deduction in your employer’s workplace giving campaign; and
- Estate Plans: Include the NAD in your estate plans.
Here's how your company can help:
Many companies engage in collaborative efforts with the NAD to promote social awareness and meaningful changes for all. There are many areas where such efforts can promote significant advancement for everyone.
Employers and government entities have worked, and continue to work with, the NAD to find ways to increase employment opportunities for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Here are additional ways that various industries can help deaf and hard of hearing people:
What we wish more people knew about us:
The National Association of the Deaf, through our advocacy 
efforts, encouraged the acceptance and proliferation of closed captioning on television and the Internet, which provides access for 48 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States. This achievement was the direct result of our collaboration with businesses and corporations that provide media content as well as government legislators and regulators. However, our work continues - a large part of the Internet, and some TV stations, are still not fully captioned. Your support today will help the NAD ensure equal access for all.
In addition, NAD advocacy led to the removal of laws that prevented deaf and hard of hearing people from driving, which is critical for the everyday employment and livelihoods of any American. However, our community is still prevented from driving trucks with Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs). The NAD is leading the way in ensuring that deaf truck drivers are fully employed, especially when there is a shortage of truck drivers in the United States today.
What makes us successful?
The NAD, its mission and values reflect a fundamental principle of equality, and everyone within the organization from its Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and members are passionate about achieving equal access for all. No one should be excluded from education, employment, health care, or any other part of life simply because information is not accessible to them. Deaf and hard of hearing people have so much to offer, and the NAD endeavors to make it possible for such contributions to materialize.
Upcoming Events:
NAD Leadership Training Conference
October 3-5, 2013 (Omaha, Nebraska)
The NLTC fosters the enhanced development of leadership within nonprofits and corporations. Corporate and agency employees acquire a better understanding of efficiency, effectiveness, and execution of performance duties as well as honing networking skills. Nonprofits officers become familiar with board governance, website and social media tools, financial management and reporting mandates, legislative and political advocacy, and membership recruitment.
52nd Biennial NAD Conference
July 1-5, 2014 (Atlanta, GA)
Biennial NAD Conferences, held on even numbered years, traditionally bring together more than 2,000 deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind and hearing consumers, parents, youth, professionals, educators, organizational and corporate representatives for professional development, leadership training, networking, governance, and the latest technology and services in the exhibit hall.
Want to learn more about the National Association of the Deaf?
Web Site: www.nad.org
Phone: 301-587-1788
CFC#: 10356
E-mail: nad.info@nad.org
Connect with the National Association of the Deaf:
www.facebook.com/NAD1880
https://twitter.com/NADtweets
