The Illinois Association of the Deaf (IAD) is Illinois' leading civil rights organization of, by, and for deaf and hard of hearing Illinoisans. Founded in 1877, the IAD is one of the oldest and most established Deaf advocacy organizations in the United States.
Official Website: iadeaf.org
Mailing Address: Illinois Association of the Deaf, P.O. Box #565, Jacksonville, IL 62650
The IAD advocates for equality, full communication access, and cultural preservation of the deaf and hard of hearing people in Illinois. The organization was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the Deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the state level — beliefs that remain central to the organization today.
Current Board of Directors: 2025-2027 (selected at the 2025 IAD Biennial Conference)
The current elected officers are:
The full Board of Directors roster is published on the IAD Board of Directors page.
The Illinois Association of the Deaf was established in 1877, making it one of the oldest Deaf organizations in the United States. The IAD was founded by Deaf leaders who believed in the right of the Deaf community to:
These founding principles remain true to this day and continue to inspire those who protect and advance the interests of the Illinois Deaf and hard of hearing community. The IAD is an affiliate member of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
The IAD has four active local chapters, each with their own officers and representatives to the state board:
The IAD members voted on top priorities for 2023-2025 during the 2023 Biennial IAD Conference in Springfield, IL. The official priorities include:
The IAD advocates for:
The IAD holds regular Board and Town Hall meetings open to all members and community supporters. Recent events have included meetings at the Jacksonville Community Center for the Deaf. The organization also hosts a Biennial Conference where officers are elected and priorities are set.
For the latest events, visit the IAD Calendar.
The IAD welcomes membership from all Deaf, hard of hearing, and allied individuals in Illinois. You can:
The IAD provides access to various community resources through their Resources page, including:
The IAD Board of Directors is responsible for follow-up action on member-voted priorities. Questions about the IAD's work can be directed to the board at board@iadeaf.org.