The Arizona Association of the Deaf (AZAD) is a community that cherishes American Sign Language (ASL) and diversity, including deaf, late deafened, hard of hearing, deafblind, and hearing members. AZAD empowers and advocates for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community in Arizona through unity, advocacy, and community support.
- Katie Sienko
- Kyra Davis
- Jamie Saunders
AZAD’s Board of Directors consists of dedicated volunteers who promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community in Arizona.
- AZAD maintains multiple revised versions of its bylaws, including:
- Revised April 23, 2017 (latest public revision)
- Revised August 15, 2015
- Revised January 26, 2008
- Revised 1998
- Access via the AZAD Archives page: Archives
¶ Constitution / articles of incorporation
- No separate constitution or articles of incorporation were identified as publicly posted (as of 2026-06-05).
- AZAD archives general meeting and board meeting minutes:
- General Meeting Minutes: October 21, 2023 (Biennial Conference), March 4, 2023, October 30, 2021 (Biennial Conference).
- Board Meeting Minutes: November 19, 2025.
- Access via the AZAD Archives page: Archives
- Phoenix Association of the Deaf, Inc. (PAD) is listed as a related local Deaf organization in AZAD’s resource directory.
- 1936: AZAD (originally the Arizona Association of the Deaf, AAD) founded at a meeting of Deaf residents at ASDB, led by Angelia Watson, then president of Phoenix Silent Clubs.
- 1938: First state convention held in Tucson; Tom Singleton elected president.
- 1940: Second convention held in Phoenix; Ed Abodeely elected president.
- 1944–1958: Organization inactive during and after WWII.
- 2000s: New logo unveiled; first website established; active in founding a retirement home for Deaf seniors (opened 2011); educational rights bill for Deaf/HH/DeafBlind students passed as a legislative resolution; annual Deaf Festival started.
- 2010s: AZAD won the bid for the NAD biennial conference in 2018, a historic first for Arizona; delegates supported fair housing as a top NAD priority.
- Angela Watson “Mover & Shaker” Award: Named for co-founder of AZAD and first president; recognizes individuals who have made significant impact on the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community.
¶ Conferences and events
- AZAD holds biennial state conferences.
- 2025 Biennial State Conference: December 5–6, 2025, at Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Tucson, featuring workshops, networking, vendor booths, and a keynote presentation.
- Mailing address: Arizona Association of the Deaf, Inc., Attn: AZAD Treasurer, 1545 W. Osborn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85015
- Email: board@azadinc.org
- Contact page: Contact Us