Newfoundland & Labrador Association of the Deaf About Us

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.

The Deaf community is a distinct sociological, linguistic minority of people who are deaf and identify with and participate in the culture and language of Deaf people which is based on American Sign Language.

To protect and promote the rights, needs and concerns of people who are profoundly Deaf or who have sever hearing disabilities within the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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, literacy; provide reports on information gathered.

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

Administer the Deaf Literacy Program.

Promote and provide workshops for the Deaf community on Mental Health, Employment and Financial Management.

Provide representation on national and local boards:

- Canadian Association of the Deaf

- Candian Cultural Society of the Deaf

- Coalition of Persons with Disabilities

- Independent Living Resources Centre

- Interpreting Services of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc.

Involvement in charitable projects:

- Christmas hampers to needy Deaf families

- Annual donation to Janeway Telethon for early detection of hearing loss

- Donations to Newfoundland School for the Deaf

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

In 1995, NLAD's lobbying efforts to 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.

From various government grants, NLAD sponsored workshops, conferences and research programs.