South Dakota Association Of The Deaf Inc

THE SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, INC. (SDAD) IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SERVING THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SOUTH DAKOTA CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ESTABLISHED IN 1900, SDAD HAS ADVOCATED FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PERSONS SO THAT THEY CAN MORE FULLY PARTICIPATE IN ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY AND LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS. SDAD IS COMMITTED TO OPENING THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITIY TO DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE LIVING IN SOUTH DAKOTA. SDAD ALSO PROMOTES ACTIVITIES WHERE DEAF AND HEARING PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER TO LEARN ABOUT, UNDESTAND, AND VALUE EACH OTHER. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:- PROMOTE AWARENESS OF COMMUNICATION ACCESS FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY DISASTER OR IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS ON CITY AND STATE LEVEL.- ADVOCATE FOR VISUAL LANGUAGE AND VISUAL LEARNING FOR DEAF BABIES, AGE O-5. SERVE ON EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE- PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SD SERVICES FOR THE DEAF IN AREAS OF TEACHING SIGN LANGUAGE TO PARENTS OF DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN, PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES FOR DEAF TEENS.- HOST NUMEROUS PRESENTATIONS AND BOOTH DISPLAYS AT DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, SYMPOSIUMS, TRAININGS AND EVENTS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS OUTREACH AND PRESENCE IS TO PROMOTE MORE DEAF AWARENESS AND ADVOVACY ON BEHALF OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING ADULTS AND CHILDREN THROUGHOUT SOUTH DAKOTA. PROMOTE MORE SENSITIVITY TRAINING TO THE POLICE IN THE STATE.- ADVOCATE FOR MORE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OPTIONS FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS BY WORKING WITH DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES.- ADVOCATE FOR MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS.- EMPOWER DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME BETTER ADVOCATES AND EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THEIR COMMUNICATION RIGHTS AT CLINICS OR HOSPITALS.