The Pennsylvania State Association of the Deaf (PSAD) is one of the oldest and most historic Deaf organizations in the United States, founded in August 1881. PSAD is a statewide nonprofit organization that empowers Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals through civil rights advocacy, education, community support, and accessibility programming. PSAD is an active affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
Note on naming: The organization's current official name is Pennsylvania State Association of the Deaf (PSAD). It was originally established as the "Pennsylvania Association of Deaf-Mutes" and changed its name to the "Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf" in 1888 before adopting its current name. The wiki page previously used the incorrect name "Pennsylvania Association of the Deaf (PAD)."
- Email: info@psad.org
- Phone/Videophone: (570) 980-2033
- Address: East Petersburg, PA 17520
Current officers were elected at the July 2025 PSAD Conference in New Jersey:
- Domonic Gordine — President 2025–2027 (first BIPOC President in PSAD's 140+ year history)
- Mark Marcellino — Vice President 2025–2027
- Vacant — Secretary 2025–2027
- Vacant — Treasurer 2025–2027
Per PSAD bylaws, the Board of Managers consists of 9 members:
- 4 Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)
- 5 Board Members at Large
Notable Board Members (2025):
- Philip (Phil) Wismer — Elected to the PSAD Board for 2025 (announced September 2025)
- Ben Fahy — Active board member (announced July 2025)
Officer eligibility: Officers must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing, per PSAD bylaws.
- 1880 — Organization grew out of a gathering of alumni of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf at the National Deaf-Mute College (now Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C.
- August 1881 — First PSAD convention held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the organization was established as the Pennsylvania Association of Deaf-Mutes
- 1888 — Name changed to Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf
- Early 1900s — PSAD's Board of Managers became involved in oversight of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf, including trusteeship responsibilities
- 1921 — Organized in its modern form as the Pennsylvania State Association of the Deaf (PSAD)
- 2025 — Domonic Gordine made history as PSAD's first BIPOC President in the organization's 140+ year legacy
- PSAD has been an active NAD affiliate throughout its history, participating in national conventions and advocacy efforts
The mission of the Pennsylvania State Association of the Deaf (PSAD) is to empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to achieve full and equal access to all aspects of life in Pennsylvania, including education, employment, healthcare, and civic participation.
PSAD offers a range of community, advocacy, and educational programs:
- ADA Advocacy — Education and support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals navigating the Americans with Disabilities Act, including rights training and self-advocacy resources
- Education Scholarships — Financial support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals pursuing careers in deaf education or related fields serving children. The scholarship fund was approved by the PSAD Board of Managers and is open to Pennsylvania residents. Contact: scholarship@psad.org
- Annual Conferences — Statewide conferences featuring workshops, business meetings, community exhibitions, and guest speakers
- Community Outreach — Educational programs, awareness campaigns, and community engagement events throughout Pennsylvania
- Self-Advocacy Training — Workshops on rights, communication access, and navigating systems
PSAD hosts an annual statewide conference with general meetings, workshops, elections, and community programming.
- 2025 PSAD Conference — July 18–20, 2025 at Wyndham Garden State College, New Jersey
- Theme: "From Barriers to Bridges: Advocacy and Allyship of Deaf Pennsylvanians"
- Featured leadership elections, board meetings, workshops, and community exhibitions
- Marked the historic election of Domonic Gordine as PSAD's first BIPOC President
- 2026 Conference — Details to be announced
- Regular meetings held throughout the year for governance, planning, and community oversight
- Open to members; community engagement encouraged
- February 24, 2026 — PSAD announced a confidential 30–40 minute survey regarding community needs and priorities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents in Pennsylvania
- NAD Affiliate — Active participation in the National Association of the Deaf national conventions and advocacy efforts
- ADA Rights — Education and support for communication access, employment rights, and healthcare access under the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Legislative Advocacy — Engagement with Pennsylvania state agencies on issues affecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents
- Self-Advocacy — Training and resources for individuals to advocate for their own rights and accessibility needs
- Community Partnerships — Collaboration with state agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations
- Board of Managers: 4 officers + 5 board members at large
- Officer eligibility: Must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Elections held annually at the PSAD Conference
- Bylaws available at psad.org/bylaws
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — National affiliate organization
- Pennsylvania School for the Deaf — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's state school for the Deaf; founding community of PSAD (many original attendees were alumni)
- Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc. (DHCC) — Pennsylvania service provider for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, attending PSAD events and conferences
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — State agency serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents
- Gallaudet University — National Deaf university; historic connection to PSAD founding through Pennsylvania School for the Deaf alumni
- Open to all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and allied residents of Pennsylvania
- Join and donate through the official website
- Membership supports PSAD's advocacy, scholarships, conferences, and community programs
- Contact: info@psad.org or (570) 980-2033