¶ Rhode Island Association of the Deaf (RIAD)
The Rhode Island Association of the Deaf (RIAD) is the state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for Rhode Island. RIAD is an advocacy and community organization dedicated to empowering the state's Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind population. After a period of inactivity, RIAD was revived for the 2025–2026 term and is actively welcoming new members.
Current officers were elected at the October 2025 board meeting. RIAD was revived for the 2025–2026 term with free membership open to all:
- Tyler Hurteau — President
- David Alves — Vice President
- Trevor Klemp — Treasurer
- Carmen Bowman — Secretary
- Jeannie Desmarais-Valdez — Member at Large
- Isabella Bucci — Member at Large
- Diane Horridge — Member at Large
- RIAD has a rich, interconnected history rooted in strong advocacy, education, and community-building within Rhode Island's Deaf community
- The organization served Rhode Island's Deaf community for many years before entering a period of inactivity
- 2025 — RIAD was revived and relaunched, with the newly elected board announced in October 2025
- The revival marks a new era for Rhode Island's state-level Deaf advocacy, with free membership and active community engagement
- RIAD is an active affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and participates in regional and national Deaf advocacy efforts
RIAD's mission is to improve the civic, economic, social, academic, and recreational quality of life for the Rhode Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. The organization advocates and facilitates changes to:
- Protect the civil rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals
- Foster self-confidence within the community
- Ensure equal access to public services and American Sign Language (ASL) education
- Promote inclusion, empowerment, and cultural preservation
- Amplify the voices of Rhode Island's Deaf community
- Free Membership (2025–2026): RIAD offers free membership for the current term to encourage community participation and engagement
- Community Outreach: Active on social media with regular updates, board introductions, and community announcements
- Advocacy Education: Promotes awareness of Deaf rights, ASL access, and civil liberties
- Regional/National Participation: RIAD participates in NAD events, Jr. NAD activities, and regional Deaf leadership development programs
- Board Meetings: Regular board meetings held to oversee community initiatives and advocate for the local Deaf community
- Membership Drives: Active recruitment and engagement for the 2025–2026 term
- Community Events: RIAD participates in and promotes Deaf community events, conferences, and advocacy gatherings throughout Rhode Island
- NAD Conferences: RIAD members attend and represent Rhode Island at NAD national and regional conventions
- NAD Affiliate: Active participation in the National Association of the Deaf network
- Civil Rights: Advocates for equal access, inclusion, and empowerment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Rhode Islanders
- Cultural Preservation: Works to protect and promote ASL and Deaf culture in Rhode Island
- Public Service Access: Fights for equal access to public services, healthcare, education, and government resources
- Legislative Engagement: Collaborates with the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and other state agencies on policy and resource development
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — National affiliate organization
- Rhode Island School for the Deaf (RISD) — Providence, Rhode Island's state school for the Deaf; key partner and community anchor
- Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RIDHH) — State agency providing information, referral, and advocacy services
- Jr. NAD Rhode Island — Youth chapter of the National Association of the Deaf; RIAD supports youth leadership and conference participation
- Deaf Equality & Accessibility Forum — Online community and advocacy network that includes RIAD representation
- 2025–2026 Term: Membership is FREE and open to all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and allied residents of Rhode Island
- The organization has been revived and is actively welcoming new members
- Sign up and find community resources through the RIAD Linktree
- Membership supports RIAD's advocacy, community programming, and representation at NAD events