"As long as we have Deaf people on Earth, we will have signs...
our beautiful Sign Language is the noblest gift God has given to
Deaf people."

-George W. Veditz


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  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • History
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Programs and Services
    • Employment Services
    • Health & Wellness Counselling Services
    • Community Support Services
    • Family Communication Program
    • Deaf Connect
  • Education
    • Sign Language Classes
    • Deaf Education
    • Inclusive Education
    • ASL Consultation
    • What is the Deaf Community?
    • ASL Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)
    • ASL Skill Assessment
    • ASL Videos
  • Resources

Mission Statement



To protect and promote the rights, needs and concerns of people who are Deaf or who communicate in American Sign Language within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.



Who are we?


Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf is a non-profit organization. Historically, NLAD is one of the oldest associations of persons with disabilities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.



What We Do...



Provide consultation and information to the public, businesses, media, health care, government, educators and others on the needs and interests of Deaf Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.


Conduct research and collect data regarding: Deaf demographics, employment, and literacy; provide reports on information gathered.


Provide Employment Services to Deaf clients to enable them to seek, obtain and keep employment.


Promote and protect the use of American Sign Language through sign language classes.


Provide ASL Consultation Conferences to the Deaf community.


Provide representation on national and local boards:

  • Canadian Association of the Deaf
  • Coalition of Persons with Disabilities
  • Disability Policy Office
  • Network of Disability Organizations
  • Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee (City of St. John's)
  • Marine Atlantic Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee
  • Interpreting Services of NL





What We Have Done...



For over 60 years, Deaf children of Newfoundland and Labrador were educated outside the province. In 1961, St. John's Association of the Deaf lobbied the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to establish a school for the Deaf in St. John's resulting in the opening of the Newfoundland School for the Deaf in 1964.


In 1987, when the Provincial Government cut all funding under the Employment Assistance for People with Disabilities, the NLAD and Coalition of Persons with Disabilities successfully lobbied Government to have it reinstated.


In 1990, NLAD and the Canadian Association of the Deaf lobbied the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to provide a telephone relay service resulting in Newfoundland and Labrador being the first Atlantic province to have the service.


In 1995, NLAD's lobbying efforts to the CRTC paid off with the first closed captioning on CBC's evening news in 1996.


In 2005, NLAD developed and implemented the first Deaf Literacy Program in Newfoundland and Labrador.


In 2008, NLAD implemented Employment Services for the Deaf which offers a variety of career and employment services in partnership with Advanced Education, Skills and Labour.



33 Pippy Place, Suite 201

St. John's, NL A1B 3X2

T: 709.726.6672

F: 709.726.6650

E: nlad@nlad.org