- Status: ✅ Enriched / recently verified
- State: Alabama
- Type: NAD state affiliate; 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer membership organization
- Founded: 1912; incorporated 1965
Alabama’s leading civil rights organization of, by, and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alabamians.
- 1912: Founded by Deaf leaders advocating for equality and language access for the Alabama Deaf community.
- 1965: Legally incorporated.
- Longstanding NAD state affiliate.
- 49th Biennial Conference held in June 2023 (Huntsville area).
Promote advancement of the social, educational, and economic well-being of Alabama Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens; advocate for civil rights and ASL linguistic rights.
AAD is governed by an elected board and multiple committees.
Officers and board (from official website, 2024–2025):
- Michael Deuel — President
- Becky Ripley — Vice President
- Ryan McDonald — Secretary
- William R. Gordon Jr. — Treasurer
- Rickey Clemson — Member at Large I (MAL I)
- Marcus Washington — Member at Large II (MAL II)
- Wendy Darling — Member at Large (ALRID)
- Dainell Butt — Member at Large IV (MAL IV)
- Member at Large III (MAL III): Vacant
- Fred Miller — Past-President
Key roles:
- Membership Chairperson: Phillip C. Magouirk
- Mailing address for membership/donations: 108 Meleah Drive, Talladega, AL 35160
Committees include:
- Legislative, Interpreter, Bylaws, Deaf Youth/Jr. AAD, Family Program, Finance, Fundraising, History/Archives, Media/Public Relations, Membership, Newsletter, Senior Citizens.
¶ Priorities and position statements
AAD maintains a Legislative Committee and publishes position statements and priorities on interpreter services, education, accessibility, and ASL recognition. AAD’s work includes:
- Advocating for interpreter licensure and improved standards in Alabama.
- Supporting education, captioning, and emergency preparedness for Deaf and HoH residents.
¶ Conventions and events
- AAD holds biennial conferences; the 49th Biennial Conference took place in June 2023 in Huntsville.
- AAD also organizes board meetings and community events.
- Membership fee: $20 per person, valid for two years.
- Contributions support AAD’s advocacy on civil rights, ASL rights, mental health services, emergency preparedness, education, interpreting services, captioning, and broader accessibility.
- Checks or money orders payable to “Alabama Association of the Deaf” are mailed to the membership chairperson (see contact).
¶ Notable actions and positions
- AAD has publicly addressed statewide interpreter licensure law and partnerships with Deaf community organizations.
- AAD has participated in national Deaf community conversations; notably, the AAD Board voted not to send delegates to the 2026 NAD Conference after internal discussion.
AAD’s website provides:
- Parent resources for families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind children.
- Senior resource information.
- Links to Alabama legislative resources and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).
- Infographics, communication cards, and the Alabama Deaf Ecosystem Directory (via partner sites).
- Mailing address:
- 1050 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36604
- Email:
- Membership/donations (mail to):
- Phillip C. Magouirk, 108 Meleah Drive, Talladega, AL 35160
- Alabama Association of the Deaf official website (deafalabama.org)
- NAD state affiliate directory
- Public AAD Facebook posts (2024–2026)