The Oregon Association of the Deaf (OAD) is the state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for Oregon. Founded in 1921, it is one of the oldest state Deaf organizations in the United States. The OAD serves the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) communities throughout Oregon, advocating for civil, human, and linguistic rights.
- Facebook: Oregon Association of the Deaf | Salem OR — 3.6K+ followers
- Description: "Promote, protect, and preserve the civil rights, and advocate to enhance the quality of life for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people in Oregon."
- Active with board meeting announcements, AGM themes, and community updates
Current officers were elected at the 2025 biennial conference. OAD elects officers in odd-numbered years:
- Jack Z. Ludwig, MS — President 2025–2027
- Morgan Jericho, MA — Vice President 2025–2027
- Amelia Sandoval — Secretary 2025–2027
- Jeremy Wagoner, MBA — Treasurer 2025–2027
Per OAD bylaws, the Board of Directors is comprised of 8 members:
- President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
- Four Members at Large
Officer eligibility: Officers must be Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind.
- 1921 — OAD established at its First Biennial Meeting in June 1921, drawing approximately 150 attendees including many former students of the historic Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) in Salem
- Since its founding, the OAD has served as a driving force in Oregon for Deaf culture, legislation, and advocacy
- The organization has operated continuously for over 100 years, adapting to changing needs of the DDBHH community
- The OAD has hosted multiple NAD conventions and biennial state conferences throughout its history
- 2025 — Held its Annual General Meeting under the theme "OAD OS 2.0 — Rooted in legacy. Ready for tomorrow." marking a new era for the organization with newly ratified bylaws
The mission of the Oregon Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities throughout Oregon. The OAD advocates to enhance the quality of life for DDBHH individuals in the state.
The OAD offers comprehensive Workshops & Trainings designed to empower the Deaf community:
- ASL Proficiency & Culture — Fosters fluent signing, language assessment knowledge, and historical awareness of the DDBHH community
- Accessibility Rights — Education on legal rights and accommodations under the ADA and Oregon state law
- Advocacy Strategies — Practical skills for community advocacy and self-advocacy
- Deaf Culture — Programs celebrating and preserving Deaf heritage, history, and community
- 2025 AGM — Theme: "OAD OS 2.0 — Rooted in legacy. Ready for tomorrow."
- Marked a new era for OAD with newly ratified bylaws and streamlined governance
- Featured business meetings, elections, and community programs
- Held regularly throughout the year with open town hall components
- 2026 Board Meetings:
- March 1, 2026 — Board meeting and town hall (Sunday)
- June 7, 2026 — Board meeting and town hall (Sunday)
- Town halls provide community access to board discussions and updates
- OAD holds a biennial conference for elections, business meetings, and community programming
- Officers elected at each biennial conference (odd-numbered years)
- NAD affiliate advocating for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing rights in Oregon
- Works with state agencies including the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ODHHS) program
- Advocates for accessibility, communication access, and DDBHH quality-of-life improvements
- Provides educational workshops on ADA rights and self-advocacy
- Engages in legislative advocacy at the state level
- Bylaws govern OAD's organizational structure and governance
- Available at oad1921.org/bylaws
- Key provisions:
- Board of 8 members (President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, 4 Members at Large)
- Officer eligibility: must be Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind
- Elections held at each biennial conference
- Officers elected in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, etc.)
- 2025 — Newly ratified bylaws to streamline governance
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — National affiliate
- Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) — Salem, Oregon's state school for the Deaf; founding community of OAD (many original attendees were OSD alumni)
- ODHHS (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services) — Oregon Department of Human Services program providing advice, support, advocacy, and referrals
- Bridges Oregon — Deaf-led nonprofit offering independent living coaching, advocacy, career services, and co-navigation
- Rose City Deaf Bowling — Community recreational program
- Western Oregon University (WOU) — Offers M.S.Ed. in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
- Open to all Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing residents of Oregon, plus allies
- Become a member and donate through the official website
- Membership supports OAD's mission, workshops, conferences, and advocacy work
- Take action through the Contact Us page on the official website