NAD Advocacy Blog

What Does the NAD Stand For?
NAD Advocacy The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) often receives questions about its mission, vision, values and diversity statements. Today’s blog clarifies what the NAD believes and provide links for readers to learn more. Mission: The mission of the NAD is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of [...]
Sun, Sep 06 2009

NAD Joins National Disability Leaders for Historic Meeting...
NAD Advocacy In an unprecedented effort to increase access to the executive branch and promote the rights of individuals with disabilities, Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy,  invited leaders from the nation's top disability organizations to participate in a White House briefing on the Administration's disability initiatives, domesti...
Sun, Sep 06 2009

Vote for Deaf-Centered Research Priorities!
NAD Advocacy The NAD asks you to take a few moments now to vote on federal research priorities at the Interagency Committee on Disability Research website. The deadline for voting is Friday, May 15. The federal Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) facilitates the effective exchange of information on disability and rehabilitation research activities among federal ag...
Sun, Sep 06 2009

NAD Announces DTV Closed Caption Survey
NAD Advocacy Last month, the NAD reported that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will establish a technical working group to address problems with digital television (DTV) closed captioning. We now have a new DTV Closed Caption Survey to learn more about your experiences with closed captions. The information collected in this survey will be shared with the [...]
Sun, Sep 06 2009

NAD Participates in CI and Sign Language Conference
NAD Advocacy NAD joined nearly 100 other participants for the “Cochlear Implants and Sign Language:   Building Foundations for Effective Educational Practices” conference held at Gallaudet University on April 15-17, 2009.  The conference was attended by representatives from deaf schools and mainstream programs, as well as advocates and other interested parties.  The purpose of the...
Sun, Sep 06 2009

Vote for Deaf-Centered Research Priorities!
NAD Advocacy The NAD asks you to take a few moments now to vote on federal research priorities at the Interagency Committee on Disability Research website. The deadline for voting is Friday, May 15. The federal Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) facilitates the effective exchange of information on disability and rehabilitation research activities among federal ag...
Tue, May 12 2009
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NAD Joins National Disability Leaders for Historic Meeting...
NAD Advocacy In an unprecedented effort to increase access to the executive branch and promote the rights of individuals with disabilities, Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy,  invited leaders from the nation's top disability organizations to participate in a White House briefing on the Administration's disability initiatives, domesti...
Tue, Apr 21 2009
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NAD Participates in CI and Sign Language Conference
NAD Advocacy NAD joined nearly 100 other participants for the “Cochlear Implants and Sign Language:   Building Foundations for Effective Educational Practices” conference held at Gallaudet University on April 15-17, 2009.  The conference was attended by representatives from deaf schools and mainstream programs, as well as advocates and other interested parties.  The purpose of the...
Mon, Apr 20 2009

What Does the NAD Stand For?
NAD Advocacy The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) often receives questions about its mission, vision, values and diversity statements. Today’s blog clarifies what the NAD believes and provide links for readers to learn more. Mission: The mission of the NAD is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of [...]
Wed, Apr 01 2009
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NAD Announces DTV Closed Caption Survey
NAD Advocacy Last month, the NAD reported that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will establish a technical working group to address problems with digital television (DTV) closed captioning. We now have a new DTV Closed Caption Survey to learn more about your experiences with closed captions. The information collected in this survey will be shared with the [...]
Sat, Mar 28 2009
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NAD Meets with Congress on Transportation Priorities
NAD Advocacy Recently, a small group of representatives from the disability community, including the NAD, was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion on transportation priorities with members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  On March 26, the NAD met with Committee Chair Jim Oberstar (D-MN), Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL), and Committee Membe...
Fri, Mar 27 2009
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NAD Workshops at EHDI Conference
NAD Advocacy The NAD participated again in the annual National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) conference, this time  in Dallas, Texas.   The NAD presented workshops this year on three topics:   deaf-hearing partnerships, NAD advocacy, and educational advocacy. The annual EHDI conference includes presentations, pre- and post-conference meetings, poster sessions, st...
Mon, Mar 16 2009

NAD Wants to Know: Has the Economy Affected Your...
NAD Advocacy The NAD received a request from the office of President Obama.  The Obama administration wants to learn more about the people in our community – people who are deaf or hard of hearing. We see news reports about people who are becoming unemployed and people having difficulty finding a job, paying their bills, and keeping their [...]
Sun, Feb 22 2009

NAD Welcomes New FCC Leadership and Focus on CC
NAD Advocacy Following the departure of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin in January, leadership of the FCC was transferred to Commissioner Michael Copps.  Copps’s role as Acting Chairman of the FCC is expected to be temporary, until the Obama administration appoints a new Chairman.  Since assuming leadership at the FCC, Copps has undertaken efforts to ...
Fri, Feb 20 2009

NAD Corrects Error about Closed Captioning
NAD Advocacy Yesterday’s announcement about reporting closed captioning problems was not correct.  The new complaint procedure is not fully approved, and will not be effective until later this year (maybe June 2009). We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience. For now, closed captioning problems and complaints must be filed with your TV station, cable or satellite TV service...
Fri, Feb 13 2009

NAD Says Report Closed Captioning Problems
NAD Advocacy Reporting closed captioning problems just got easier. Starting today (February 12, 2009), when you see a TV closed captioning problem, you can report the problem to the FCC. Closed captioning complaints can be filed online. Here’s how: Online – complete FCC Form 2000C Disability Access Complaint at [link] (Special Instruction – The form may say, “NOTE: If [...]
Thu, Feb 12 2009

NAD Supports DTV Transition Delay
NAD Advocacy Recently, Congress changed the date for switching to digital TV (the “DTV transition”) – from February 17 to June 12, 2009. President Obama is expected to sign the “DTV Delay Act” into law. This delay will give people four more months to prepare for the DTV transition – more time to apply for and receive [...]
Wed, Feb 11 2009

NAD Applauds Senate and Thanks You
NAD Advocacy The U.S. Senate voted today and passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also called the Economic Stimulus Bill).  The vote was 61 to 37. The NAD thanks everyone who contacted their Senators to support passing the Economic Stimulus Bill. The Senate bill is for $838 billion. The House bill, passed on January 28th, is for $819 billion. Members [...]
Tue, Feb 10 2009

NAD Action Alert – Call Your Senators Now
NAD Advocacy The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also called the Economic Stimulus Bill) has several provisions that could improve the lives of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The U.S. Senate is now considering making changes to the Economic Stimulus Bill. You can take action, too.  Find your Senators’ phone numbers at [link] Call and tell your [...]
Fri, Feb 06 2009

NAD Advocates for Captioned Super Bowl Ads
NAD Advocacy Help the NAD monitor the closed captioning of Super Bowl commercials nationwide.  Last year, NAD representatives met with National Football League (NFL) executives about captioning Super Bowl ads. The NFL agreed to work with NBC, the television network that will air the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 1, 2009, starting at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).  [...]
Fri, Jan 30 2009

NAD Helps School Access the Inauguration Online
NAD Advocacy The NAD advocated for and participated in the development of provisions to ensure that the Presidential Inauguration was accessible to deaf and hard of hearing Americans in Washington, DC, and across the country. The NAD Advocacy Blog posted information about the Presidential Inauguration and available access features, on-site and online, as the information became ava...
Mon, Jan 26 2009

Inauguration Videos and Transcript Available Online
NAD Advocacy The NAD applauds the efforts of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the Presidential Inaugural Committee to make the Inauguration of Barack Obama accessible. The Inauguration in Washington DC was made accessible to deaf and hard of hearing attendees through the provision of over 20 Jumbotrons with captions and sign language interpreter servic...
Mon, Jan 26 2009

Inauguration in ASL Online
NAD Advocacy BISVRS will provide a free, live webcast of an ASL interpretation of Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony and speech on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. For instructions on how to connect to the ASL webcast, go to www.bisworld.com. BISVRS recommends connecting at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to ensure a proper connection. You can watch the Inauguration on TV [...]
Mon, Jan 19 2009

Inauguration Day Events – ADA Accessible Locations
NAD Advocacy Sign language interpreters should be at these locations. National Mall – ADA Accessible Locations: Tickets are NOT required for people between 4th Street and the Lincoln Memorial. Inauguration program begins at 10:30 a.m.; swearing in at 12:00 noon. • The southwest corner of the mall, adjacent to, and east of, the 14th Street sidewalk • Just east of the sidewalk that ...
Sat, Jan 17 2009

NAD Announces Accessible Obama Biography Online
NAD Advocacy The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that it has teamed with Arts & Entertainment Television Networks (AETN) to provide captions and description (narration added to visual program elements during natural programming pauses) to the A&E Biography of Barack Obama in celebration of ...
Fri, Jan 16 2009

Inauguration Jumbotron Locations and Captions Online
NAD Advocacy More than 20 jumbo televisions (“Jumbotrons”) will be set up for people to watch the Inaugural Ceremonies in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, January 20th. Jumbotrons will be set up on the U.S. Capitol Grounds (between the U.S. Capitol building and 4th Street) for people with tickets, and on the National Mall (between 4th Street [...]
Thu, Jan 15 2009

Inauguration Update
NAD Advocacy The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies released more information about tickets for the Inaugural Ceremonies and more information about travel on January 20, 2009. Tickets Tickets for the Inaugural Ceremonies will be released to members of Congress beginning Monday, January 12, 2009. Members of Congress have stopped taking requests for tickets. The...
Sun, Jan 11 2009

NAD Participates in the Obama-Biden Transition
NAD Advocacy After his historic election, President-elect Obama assembled a team of advisors to review the functions and policies of the current Administration and make plans for change. Agency Review Teams and Policy Working Groups focused on and analyzed key areas such as the economy; education; employment; energy; the environment; health care; justice and civil rights; [...]
Wed, Jan 07 2009

NAD Works to Ensure Captioning on Obama’s Website
NAD Advocacy It is fair to say that President-elect Obama will be the most web-savvy U.S. President in history. During the campaign, the Obama team relied heavily on e-mail lists and websites to reach out to potential voters and to raise money. Pundits believe this electronic outreach was a large factor in Obama’s win. Within hours [...]
Tue, Jan 06 2009

FCC Consumer Advisory for VRS and IP Relay Users
NAD Advocacy The NAD thanks the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its efforts to inform Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) users about the new ten-digit number and 911 emergency call handling system. The FCC issued a Consumer Advisory with important information for VRS and IP Relay users: (1) how to get a [...]
Wed, Dec 31 2008

Congressional Inaugural Committee Issues Advisory
NAD Advocacy WASHINGTON, DC - In the remaining weeks before the 56th presidential inaugural, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) will be issuing a series of advisories to help people who plan to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The following is a special alert for those people who will have tickets to the swearing-in [and for [...]
Tue, Dec 30 2008

NAD Says Apply for TV Converter Box Coupons Now
NAD Advocacy The switch to digital transition (DTV) takes place in two months – on February 17, 2009. Consumers who want to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program are urged to act now. Older analog TV sets not connected to pay TV services (such as cable or satellite TV services) will need a TV converter [...]
Sat, Dec 20 2008

NAD Files Brief in Movie Captioning Case
NAD Advocacy The NAD Law and Advocacy Center recently filed a “friend of the court” brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit urging the Court to rule that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires movie theaters to display captions to ensure that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can [...]
Sat, Dec 20 2008

Logo Contest – Enter to Win $500!
NAD Advocacy The NAD is a founding member of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT). COAT has launched a Logo Contest. The logo will be used to represent COAT to the general public, and may be used for COAT’s printed materials, website, and other uses. The Logo Contest ends Tuesday, January 20, 2009. All entries must [...]
Sat, Dec 20 2008

Inaugural Events
NAD Advocacy Disability Power and Pride Inaugural Ball – Sunday, January 18th, 2009 – Washington, DC. Click here for more information. INAUGURATION DAY – Tuesday, January 20, 2009 – Washington, DC Inaugural Ceremony National Mall – west of 4th Street – Tickets are not required. The National Mall west of 4th Street will be open to the public. U.S. Capitol [...]
Sat, Dec 06 2008

NAD Applauds FCC Action on Closed Captioning Rules
NAD Advocacy On November 7, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a ruling, order, and notice of proposed rulemaking on several closed captioning issues. The NAD applauds the FCC for taking this action. We are pleased that the FCC provided clarification about how the closed captioning rules apply to the transition to digital television (DTV), which [...]
Mon, Dec 01 2008

Vote!
NAD Advocacy Election Day – November 4, 2008 – is approaching quickly. Soon the campaigning and debates will be over. The NAD encourages you to exercise your civil right to vote. Here are some tips for voting: Vote early, before Election Day, if possible. To see a summary of each state’s absentee and early [...]
Wed, Oct 29 2008

NAD Makes a Touchdown – Victory in Redskins Case
NAD Advocacy On September 30, 2008, a federal judge in Maryland ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the Washington Redskins to provide fans who are deaf or hard of hearing with equal access to the auditory information broadcast over the stadium public address system at FedExField where the Redskins play. This auditory information includes [...]
Thu, Oct 02 2008

NAD Celebrates as “ADA Amendments Act” Becomes Law
NAD Advocacy The NAD applauds the signing into law of the “ADA Amendments Act of 2008” today by President George W. Bush. This law is a civil rights landmark; a law that enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support and the support of the disability and business communities. The “ADA Amendments Act” reverses several Supreme Court decisions that narrowed the [...]
Thu, Sep 25 2008

NAD Advocates for Accessible Air Travel
NAD Advocacy Have you ever missed a flight because there was a gate change and no visual information was provided? Have you sat at a gate for hours wondering why your plane hasn’t boarded yet, because the only announcements made were over the loudspeaker? Have you landed in an unexpected location because your flight was diverted, and [...]
Tue, Sep 23 2008

ADA Amendments Act Goes to the White House for Signature
NAD Advocacy The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the ADA Amendments Act. The U.S. Senate passed the bill on September 11, 2008. The bill now goes to the White House. More than a hundred civil rights and disability advocates joined employers and members of Congress on the steps of the Capitol today to [...]
Wed, Sep 17 2008

ADA Victory Press Rally
NAD Advocacy Join advocates and congressional leaders at a press rally to celebrate Congress’ passage of the “ADA Amendments Act of 2008.” The House of Representatives is expected to act on the final bill Wednesday morning and then send it to the White House for President Bush's signature. Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Time: 1:45 p.m. Place: [...]
Mon, Sep 15 2008

Senate Passes ADA Amendments Act
NAD Advocacy In a display of bipartisan support and by a unanimous voice vote on September 11, 2008, the U.S. Senate passed the “ADA Amendments Act of 2008” (S. 3406) (formerly called the “ADA Restoration Act”). The House of Representatives passed a similar bill (H.R. 3195) by an overwhelming vote of 402 to 17 on June 25, [...]
Sun, Sep 14 2008

NAD Wins Victory in Court for Relay Users
NAD Advocacy The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and a private law firm represented a deaf man in an employment discrimination case on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. In an opinion issued on September 12, 2008, the Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s decision to dismiss the case and [...]
Sat, Sep 13 2008

The NAD Says: Register to VOTE!
NAD Advocacy Are you registered to vote? In 2004 – 18 percent of voting age citizens had not registered to vote. Did you vote in 2004? In 2004 – 64 percent of voting age citizens voted in the presidential election. That means 36 percent of voting age citizens did not vote. Do you wonder – [...]
Mon, Sep 08 2008

NAD Calls for Equal Access to Community Services
NAD Advocacy Action Alert – Your Comments Are Needed – by Monday, August 18 Want equal communication access with police? Want better access to health care? Want to make sure video remote interpreting (VRI) services are used appropriately? Want stadium events captioned? Want hospitals to provide videophones, not just TTYs? Want to make sure relay calls are treated [...]
Fri, Aug 15 2008

NAD Calls for Strong ADA Rules for Businesses
NAD Advocacy Action Alert – Your Comments Are Needed – by Monday, August 18 Want to see more captioned movies? Want stadium events captioned? Want better access to health care? Want to make sure video remote interpreting (VRI) services are used appropriately? Want hospitals, hotels, and motels to provide videophones, not just TTYs? Want to make sure businesses [...]
Fri, Aug 15 2008

NAD Supports “Tropic Thunder” Boycott
NAD Advocacy The NAD signed on in support of the protest against the new movie, “Tropic Thunder.” The NAD has also learned that a local protest is planned for Wednesday, August 13, in Washington, DC, against the movie. Other protests are being planned nationwide. “Tropic Thunder” includes an extensive and very negative portrayal of an [...]
Tue, Aug 12 2008

Department of Justice Wants to Change ADA Rules
NAD Advocacy ALERT – Your comments are urgently needed! The Department of Justice has proposed changes for two parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Title II (state and local government programs and services); and Title III (public accommodations; businesses). New rules will affect your rights. Comments due by August 18, 2008. The NAD is preparing comprehensive comm...
Mon, Aug 04 2008

NAD Applauds Senators Harkin and Hatch
NAD Advocacy The “ADA Amendments Act of 2008” (S. 3406) was introduced in the Senate, yesterday, by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) – with 57 co-sponsors (see list below). The House of Representatives recently introduced and passed a similar bill, also called the “ADA Amendments Act of 2008” (H.R. 3195), by an overwhelming vote [...]
Fri, Aug 01 2008