The work of the NAD Board of Directors is supported by its standing, strategic, and ad-hoc committees listed below. For more information about a specific committee, you can contact the NAD.
Section Committees
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Section | BIPOC Section aims to advocate and train on educating NAD members about racism and provide resources to create a safe environment for BIPOC members and allies in partnerships with State Associations and the NAD. | Stephanie Hakulin |
DeafBlind Section | This section is composed of DeafBlind individuals throughout the nation. This section seeks to improve the lives of DeafBlind Americans by advocating for equal rights and appropriate ASL communication access in any DeafBlind related matters | Tyese Wright |
Deaf Culture and History Section (DCHS) | This section is a resource and education center providing deaf-related information regarding culture, history, and the arts. Preserving Deaf Culture and History throughout the nation by working with and supporting deaf school museums, deaf-related museums, deaf organizations, and individual members. | Linsay Darnall Jr. |
Interpreter Section | Interpreter Section seeks to provide support to the deaf community as allies by advocating for equal rights and ASL communication access in interpreting related matters. | Milmaglyn Morales |
LGBTQ | LGBTQ Section seeks to improve the lives of Deaf LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and ASL communication access in LGBT related matters including socio-political events, community service providers and government entities at all levels. | Jacob Leffler |
Youth Section (NADYS) | NADYS Section seeks to advocate the youth by empowering them, connecting them to opportunities, and having them thrive in the community. | Michael Deuel |
National Deaf Education Section | The Education Section will support the mission of the NAD when it comes to the bilingual and multicultural education of deaf and hard of hearing children through various efforts, mainly through hosting the annual National Deaf Education Conference. Membership will be composed of various stakeholders, including teachers, paraprofessionals, parents/family members, administrators and other professions in the field. | Michelle Cline |
Seniors Section | Seniors Section seeks to deal the issues concerning the elderly issues such as housing, medical, social security, legal and other communication barriers. | Kevin Ryan |
Former Board Members Section | This section is composed of any Former Board Members who choose to join this particular section. The goal for this section is pretty much to support the NAD board with fundraisers. | Laura Kim |
Board Committees
Affiliate Workgroup | Affiliate Workgroup is going to be a support group for the Affiliate Board Members. This support group will consist of a small group of people (up to 3) to work with the Affiliate Board Members. | Tyese Wright & Dawnmarie Caggiano |
Bylaws | This committee focuses on the upkeep of the NAD bylaws. Often at times, this committee will review bylaws and see if any further changes are necessary based on the times that we live in these days. If any changes are needed, the committee will be responsible for drafting up a proposal for COR. | James "Dino" Christianson, Jr. |
CDI Taskforce | This committee's goal is to develop resources and information to share with the community about the benefits of Deaf Interpreters in their daily lives at work, medical appointments, etc. | Kevin Ryan |
Internal Transformative Committee (ITC) *formerly Diversity Strategy Team (DST) | This committee is made up of a team of individuals that will work with the NAD Board in terms of providing resources and input with any issues that may require the lens of diversity/inclusion as per our diversity statement. | Tyese Wright |
Equity in Deaf Education | Priority 2022 | Laura Kim |
Finance | This committee is usually chaired by the Treasurer. This committee focuses on all things financial related for NAD. | Michelle Cline |
Governance | This committee is responsible for the rules, norms, and actions of the NAD board. This consists of Board Policy Manual, Policies, and Guidelines. This committee also is responsible for Council of Representatives (COR). | Lisa Rose |
Public Policy | This committee was set up to develop policies and position statements for various different areas; Civil Rights, Bioethics, Mental Health, Media, Technology, Employment, and Education. These listed above are subcommittees under this committee. However, with Policy Institute being handled at HQ, this committee now has experts who serve on a as needed basis for certain areas. | Jacob Leffler |
Rapid Response Team (RRT) | This team is composed of a small group of NAD board to stay on top of any urgent/sensitive issues that may require a quick draft of a response from the NAD to said issue. | Linsay Darnall Jr. |
Strategic Structure Planning | This committee is committed to developing a strategic plan for the NAD in the coming years to come. Often at times, this is where we plan for 5 years. But this is not a set amount of years. This can have different focuses. | Linsay Darnall Jr. |
Taskforce on Aging | This taskforce is responsible for gathering and sharing information, analyzing research and data, promoting and publishing on the website all the relevant information that will benefit everyone involved in elderly care including seniors, family, caretakers, retirement communities, medical practitioners and providers, and others. | Kevin Ryan & Dawnmarie Caggiano |
Transforming Deaf Racism, Equity, and Accountability *formerly Dismantling Racism Taskforce | Priority 2022 | Vyron Kinson |
Youth Well Being | Priority 2022 | Kimberly Thornsberry |
SAAC | This committee is composed of four individuals from respective regions (1-4) to further develop resources that will support our State Associations and Affiliates in how they can best support their association/organization. Work involves SAAC Toolkit and Mentorship Program. | James "Dino" Christianson, Jr. & Michelle Cline |