Our community helps shape the direction of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). As a federation, the NAD brings together delegates, representatives of state associations and affiliate organizations from across the country to help identify priorities and advance the interests of the Deaf community.
At the Council of Representatives (CoR), delegates vote on Community-Driven Commitments that help determine where the NAD focuses its efforts between biennial conferences. These commitments reflect the priorities identified by our community, collected through forums hosted in the spring of 2026, and provide direction for the NAD’s national advocacy and organizational work.
Learn about Community-Driven Commitments
Watch the video below to learn more about Community-Driven Commitments, how they were established, and how they help shape the NAD’s work.
Community-Driven Commitments – Guiding NAD’s Work Through Community Direction
2026-2028 Community-Driven Commitments
At the 2026 Council of Representatives meeting in San Francisco, delegates voted to approve the Community-Driven Commitments that will guide the NAD’s focus until the next biennial conference.
Read the Official Community-Driven Commitments
Access the document approved by the delegates at the 2026 Council of Representatives to review the commitments and the actions guiding NAD’s work.
View the 2026-2028 Community-Driven Commitments (PDF)
From Community Direction to National Impact
Community-Driven Commitments connect the priorities of our community to the NAD’s work. The Council of Representatives provides direction through these commitments, the Board of Directors provides governance and oversight, and the CEO, staff, and volunteers lead implementation.
Through this process, the NAD works to advance community priorities and keep its advocacy and organizational efforts grounded in the needs and interests of the communities it serves.
Stay Connected
The NAD will share updates on its progress in advancing the Community-Driven Commitments through Board meeting updates, NAD News, and our social media channels.
We invite you to stay engaged, follow our progress, and continue helping shape the future of the NAD and the Deaf community.