The Georgia Association of the Deaf, Inc. (GAD), established in 1910, is the largest self-help consumer organization of persons with a hearing loss in Georgia. GAD is a state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
Mottos: "Striving for Deaf Thriving in Georgia" and "Nothing About Us Without Us"
GAD was founded in 1910, the same year as the NAD's Ninth National Convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That year also saw George Veditz, NAD President, urging the filming of sign language masters to preserve it before it disappeared — a project that resulted in the famous "Video Tape of Sign Language Masters."
A history e-book is available on the GAD History page.
- 2023–2025: Philip Sublett (President), Russell Fleming (VP), Andrea Kemp (Secretary), DeMarco Pittman (Treasurer)
- 2021–2023: DeAnna Swope (President), Scott Cohen (VP), Kristi Merriweather (Secretary), Scott Cohen (Treasurer intern)
- 2020–2021: Wade Doster (President), Shannon H. Biezenbos (VP), Patty Patton (Treasurer), Kristi Merriweather (Secretary)
- 2017–2021: Wade Doster (President)
- 2015–2017: Bob Green (President)
- 2013–2015: Frank Lala (President)
- 2011–2013: Julie Burton (President)
- 2006–2011: Christopher Merritt Patterson (President)
- 2003–2006: Dixie Blackwell (President)
- 1998–2003: Ray Williams (President)
- 1997–1998: Kathy Tallent (President)
- 1996–1997: Lisa Black (President)
- 1995–1996: Andy Lange (President)
- 1993–1995: Patricia "Pat" Ford (President)
- 1989–1993: Albert "Sandy" K. Marchman (President)
- 1984–1989: Jeanette Lorch (President)
- 1983–1984: Vincent Holmes (President)
- Facebook: facebook.com/gadeaf.org — 4.2K followers
- 98% recommend (17 reviews)
- Regularly posts event updates, board announcements, and community news
- President: Amy Cohen Efron
- Vice President: MeLisa Dennis
- Secretary: Ricky Alewine
- Treasurer: Dwight Johnson
- GAD is a nonprofit organization serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals throughout the state of Georgia.
- Acts as a statewide coordinating and advocacy organization addressing the needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
- Advocates statewide for access to education, health care, well-being, employment, housing, cultural, social, and recreational opportunities.
- Provides and shares resources and information statewide with families, professionals, consumers, and community partners.
- Works to connect individuals, services, and organizations across Georgia to strengthen support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
GAD works to support Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf+Disabled, and Hard of Hearing people and their families across Georgia. The organization helps raise public awareness, promotes Deaf culture and ways of life, and builds strong connections through leadership development, education, and community fundraising.
GAD focuses on statewide advocacy and information sharing. It does not provide individual services or case management — its work is centered on strengthening the community by creating change at the local and state levels.
"We know that the true disability is not hearing loss itself but society's placing limitations and barriers on Deaf/HH individuals."
GAD strives to be a collective where Deaf/HH can function as change agents and supporters toward empowerment, advocacy, betterment, and thriving of Deaf communities and individuals in Georgia.
¶ Events and Conferences
GAD hosts regular meetings and events throughout the year:
2025 Events:
- November 1, 2025: Meet and Greet New GAD Officers at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf Fall Festival, 890 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021
- November 15, 2025: Georgia School for the Deaf Homecoming, 232 Perry Farm Road SW, Cave Spring, GA 30124
2026 General Meetings and Town Halls:
- January 2026: Macon, GA
- May 2026: Rome/Cave Spring, GA
- August/September 2026: Statesboro/Richmond Hill/Savannah area (Mini Conference/General Meeting and Town Hall Event)
- October 2026: Atlanta, GA (General Meeting)
Fundraising events are announced regularly on GAD's Facebook page.
- Camp D.O.V.E. — PO Box 80491, Athens, GA 30608 — campdove.org
- Camp Dream — 4355 Cobb Pkwy, Suite J117, Atlanta, GA 30339, 678-367-0040 — campdreamga.org
- Camp Juliena — 2296 Henderson Mill Rd #115, Atlanta, GA 30345 — gcdhh.org
- High Meadows Camp — 1055 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075, 770-993-7975 — highmeadowscamp.org
- STEM HANDS (for high schoolers) — 2296 Henderson Mill Rd #115, Atlanta, GA 30345 — gcdhh.org
¶ Schools and Education
- Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD) — 232 Perry Farm Road SW, Cave Spring, GA 30124, 800-497-3371, VP: 678-710-8966 — gsdweb.org
- Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD) — 890 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021, 404-296-7101, VP: 404-348-8401 — aasdweb.com
- Georgia Pathway to Language and Literacy — georgialiteracy.org
- Georgia Hands & Voices — gahandsandvoices.org
GAD maintains a directory of Deaf-owned businesses in Georgia. Advertising is available: