The New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD) is a statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the rights, language, culture, and full participation of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind communities in New Jersey. NJAD is the state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and has been active since December 1967.
Current Executive Board (2025–2027):
- President: Annmarie Buraczeski
- Vice President: Elias Papazis
- Secretary: Diane Drury
- Treasurer: Andy Oh
- Members-at-Large: Four (4) elected Members-at-Large (per NJAD Bylaws)
The full board roster is available at deafnjad.org/njad-board.
¶ Advocacy and Legislative Track Record
NJAD is a leading advocate for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind individuals in New Jersey. Key achievements include:
- Deaf Student's Bill of Rights (2019): This landmark legislation mandates that New Jersey school districts provide children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind with direct access to mental health and educational services from certified providers fluent in the student's primary mode of communication, including American Sign Language (ASL).
- Interpreter Rights: NJAD has long advocated for interpreter access in education, healthcare, and public services.
- ASL Education: NJAD supports ASL education access in schools and universities across the state.
- Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf (MKSD): NJAD partners with and advocates for the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf, the only public school in New Jersey specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. The school provides education in an ASL/English bilingual environment.
- Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf Task Force: In 2024, the NJ Legislature passed an Act establishing a Task Force related to the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf.
- Annual State Proclamations: NJAD successfully lobbies for annual New Jersey State proclamations declaring April as Deaf History Month, recognizing the contributions of the Deaf community in New Jersey.
- NAD Partnership: NJAD works closely with the National Association of the Deaf on federal advocacy, including lobbying for the ADA, DVAA, and other disability rights legislation.
¶ History and Milestones
Founding (1967): In December 1967, seven Deaf pioneers came together with a shared purpose: to create a strong, unified voice for the Deaf community in New Jersey. The founding members were:
- John Dolan
- Jeremiah Germany
- Albert Lisnay
- Andrea (Haas) Panella — The youngest person in the room and the only woman among the founding members. Andrea's legacy is honored annually during Women's History Month through a NJAD commemorative flye titled "Honoring Andrea Panella – NJAD Founding Leader."
- Reverend Croft Pentz
- Charles Radvany
Incorporation (1969): NJAD was officially incorporated in April 1969, with its bylaws approved at the State Convention in Atlantic City.
Ongoing Advocacy: Over the decades, NJAD has been a consistent voice for Deaf rights in New Jersey, including interpreter rights legislation, ASL education access, and cultural awareness. The organization has hosted multiple Biennial State Conventions and has been an active participant in the Deaf President Now movement and other national initiatives.
Upcoming and Recent Events:
- 28th Biennial State Conference — Saturday, October 7, 2026 — Clark Library, Clark, NJ
- 29th Biennial State Conference: "Access, Representation, and Empowerment" — Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM — Stockton University, Campus Center — Meeting Room #15, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205 (near Atlantic City)
- Conference theme: Access (ensuring access to interpreters, captions, assistive technology, senior citizen housing, transportation, preventing language deprivation, and access to mental health supports), Representation (advocating for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind voices in leadership and decision-making), Empowerment (supporting self-advocacy and community leadership)
- Features three workshops, exhibition, lunch/awards, general meeting with bylaw amendments and election for new officers. Interpreters provided.
- NJAD Deaf Youth Day 2026 — March 7, 2026, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM — Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf (Old Campus), Jackson Township, NJ
- NJAD Pasta Day + General Meeting — May 18, 2026 — A fundraiser and community gathering
- Virtual Town Halls — Regularly scheduled Zoom presentations on key issues impacting the Deaf community (e.g., "What Do You Know About Asian Signers?" presented by Lee Ann Tang)
- Tri-State Youths & Family Gathering — Annual event bringing together Deaf youth and families from NJ, NY, and PA
- Organized: December 1967
- Incorporated: April 1969
- Bylaws approved at State Convention, Atlantic City
- Elective officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Four (4) Members-at-Large, who constitute the Executive Board
- Officers and board members serve staggered terms, with elections held at each Biennial State Conference
¶ Chapters and Affiliated Organizations
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — State affiliate
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) — State chapter partnership
- Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf (MKSD) — NJ public school for Deaf/HoH students
- New Jersey Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing — State agency partnership
- New Jersey Department of Human Services — State agency partnership
- Hands & Voices New Jersey — Parent-driven support organization
- Children of Deaf Adults (CODA) of New Jersey
- Deaf Seniors of New Jersey
- Union Street School for the Deaf — Historic NJ institution