The Oklahoma Association of the Deaf (OAD) is a nonprofit organization established in 1910 and incorporated in 1949 that promotes the interests of the Deaf community and advances the social, educational, economic, and cultural well-being of Deaf individuals in Oklahoma. It is a volunteer-led, NAD-affiliated organization representing Deaf, hard of hearing, and CODA residents across Oklahoma.
- Facebook: Oklahoma Association of the Deaf — 2.7K+ followers
- Instagram: @ok.oad — 154 followers, 18 following, 29 posts
- Bio: "The mission of the Oklahoma Association of the Deaf is to promote, protect and preserve the civil rights..."
Current officers were elected at the June 2025 Biennial OAD Conference in Oklahoma City:
- Alex Gauger — President
- Renee Erwin — Vice President
- Katelyn Jurney — Secretary
- Elias Castillo — Treasurer
- Esuin Barrios — Member at Large (also received the 2025 OAD Elevate Award)
- Rachel Hollis — Member at Large
- Taylor Adams — Member at Large
OAD is represented on the NAD Board of Directors by:
- Alex Gauger — NAD Board Secretary (representing Oklahoma)
- Rosalinda Rendon — Member at Large (NAD delegate)
- 1910 — OAD established as a nonprofit organization advocating for Deaf Oklahomans
- 1949 — OAD incorporated, formalizing its legal and organizational structure
- The organization has served Oklahoma's Deaf community for over 115 years, advocating for linguistic, civil, and human rights
- OAD has participated in multiple NAD national conventions hosted in Oklahoma
- The organization operates on a biennial conference schedule with elections held every two years
- June 2025 — Alex Gauger assumed the presidency at the Biennial OAD Conference (previously Logan Evans served as president)
The mission of the Oklahoma Association of the Deaf is to promote, protect and preserve the civil rights, linguistic, and human rights of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Oklahoma. The organization advances the social, educational, economic, and cultural well-being of Deaf people in Oklahoma.
- NAD-affiliated organization advocating for Deaf civil rights in Oklahoma
- Works with state agencies and community organizations on accessibility and communication access issues
- Active participation in the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) governance — OAD's president serves as NAD Board Secretary
- Advocates for interpreter access, Deaf education, and emergency communication access
- Partnered with the Deaf Oklahomans Natural Disaster Facebook Group (recipient of OAD's 2025 Community Access Award) on disaster preparedness and emergency communication
OAD hosts its flagship conference every two years, where members participate in board elections, business meetings, and the Awards Banquet Ceremony.
- 2025 Biennial OAD Conference — June 27–28, 2025 at OSU-OKC campus, Oklahoma City
- Theme: "One for all, All for one!"
- Location: 900 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City
- Awards Banquet held at Student Center South Conference Room
- 2025 Award Recipients:
- Community Access Award: Deaf Oklahomans Natural Disaster Facebook Group
- Elevate Award: Esuin Barrios
- Education Award: Roshea Reininger
- Lifetime Service Award: Pearl Pearson
- Volunteer Award: Christopher Reagle
Because OAD holds its main conference biennially (next in 2027), there is no standalone OAD statewide conference in 2026. However, several critical partner organizations host major events:
- Oklahoma Deaf Education Conference ("Pathways to Possibilities") — June 1–4, 2026 at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO), Weatherford
- Provides workshops focused on ASL literacy and Deaf education strategies
- Includes an awards banquet honoring 2024–2025 Deaf community members
- Monthly Zoom meetings (ongoing)
- Biennial awards banquet at conference
- Community outreach and advocacy events throughout the year
¶ Bylaws and Organization
- Officer eligibility: Officers and board members must be Deaf, hard of hearing, or CODA
- Biennial elections: Board elections held at each Biennial Conference
- Board composition: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Members at Large
- Meeting frequency: Biennial conferences plus ongoing Zoom meetings
- NAD affiliation: Full member of the National Association of the Deaf
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — National affiliate since incorporation
- Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) — Tulsa, established 1872; key partner in Deaf education
- Oklahoma Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (OCDEHH) — State agency serving the Deaf and HoH community
- Deaf Oklahomans Natural Disaster Facebook Group — Community disaster response partner
- University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) — Host of annual Deaf Education Conference, Weatherford
- Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services — State vocational rehabilitation partner
- Individual membership: $25/year
- Open to all Deaf, hard of hearing, and CODA residents of Oklahoma
- Membership supports OAD's mission, biennial conferences, advocacy work, and community programs
- Register through the membership page on the official website