The Kansas Association of the Deaf (KAD) is a century-old non-profit dedicated to advocating for the civil, human, and linguistic rights of Deaf Kansans. Founded on July 5, 1909, KAD has spent over 115 years securing educational and occupational justice for the Deaf community in Kansas. KAD actively hosts biennial conventions, manages youth and scholarship programs, and collaborates with the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on accessibility legislation.
Note: The domain kadeaf.org does not host the current KAD website; deafkansas.org is the official site.
The KAD board for the 2025–2027 term:
- President: Katie Wise
- Vice President: Mary Ellen Keck
- Secretary: Raul Melgar
- Youth Program Coordinator: Taylor Wise (youthprogram@deafkansas.org)
- Appointed Board Members: Lorrie Shank, Michael Sullivan, Jennifer Hart
Past Board (2023–2025): Kim Anderson (President, serving third term), Chris Haulmark (Vice President, first term)
Board meeting minutes are available on the KAD website.
KAD was established on July 5, 1909, to secure educational and occupational justice for the Deaf community in Kansas. Emmette Wesley Simpson was elected as the inaugural Secretary and later served as the third President of KAD.
For over a century, KAD has consistently fought against language deprivation, supported the Kansas School for the Deaf, and championed initiatives like ASL resource access. The organization has grown from its founding as a grassroots advocacy group into a comprehensive organization serving the entire state of Kansas.
The 35th biennial KAD conference was held at the Holiday Inn in Olathe on July 22–25, with 304 people participating. KAD regularly hosts biennial conferences featuring business meetings, workshops, and community gatherings.
- Biennial Conventions: KAD hosts biennial general business meetings and conferences featuring workshops, bylaw reviews, and award ceremonies (48th Biennial held in early summer 2025)
- Scholarship Programs: KAD awards the Frank W. LaRosh Scholarship to support Deaf students
- Youth Programs: Youth Program Coordinator Taylor Wise manages youth engagement initiatives
- ASL Community Walks: KAD hosts ASL community walks to promote awareness and visibility
- Legislative Advocacy: KAD collaborates with the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on accessibility legislation
- Digital Outreach: KAD expanded its digital presence with a newly launched TikTok account
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Day at the Capitol: Annual event held in March at the Kansas State Capitol, involving resource booths, legislative outreach, and discussions on Deaf education. Held March 11, 2025 and March 11, 2026.
- 48th Biennial General Business Meeting: Held in early summer 2025, featuring bylaw reviews, award ceremonies, and advocacy planning
- Frank W. LaRosh Scholarship: Annual scholarship award ceremony
- ASL Community Walks: Regular community events promoting ASL awareness
- Biennial Conferences: Full conference programs with 300+ attendees
- Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing — State commission partnering with KAD
- Kansas School for the Deaf — State school for Deaf students
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — National advocacy partner
- Nicholas Kiego — Named as next NAD CEO, taking the helm August 1, 2026
- North Central Association of the Deaf (NCAD) — Regional Kansas association (Gary Blair, President, 2025–2026)