The South Dakota Association of the Deaf (SDAD) is an advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil, human, and linguistic rights of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in South Dakota. SDAD preserves community heritage and provides support, aids, and advocacy resources across the state. The association is deeply connected to the history of the South Dakota School for the Deaf (SDSD) in Sioux Falls.
Note: The domain sddeaf.org belongs to the South Dakota School for the Deaf (SDSD), a separate state-run educational institution.
The SDAD executive board for the 2025–2027 term:
SDAD leadership is democratically elected from its membership base. For the most current roster, contact SDAD via their official website or Facebook page.
SDAD and the broader South Dakota Deaf community share deep historical roots with the South Dakota School for the Deaf (SDSD), which was established in November 1880 in Sioux Falls. Reverend Thomas Berry founded SDSD as the Dakota Territorial School for Deaf Mutes and was responsible for its early administration.
The SDAD itself traces its origins to 1900, when Charles H. Loucks was elected as the first SDAD President. Loucks led the very first SDAD convention in 1902. SDAD has been a continuous presence in South Dakota for over 125 years, advocating for Deaf rights, education, and community building.
In recent years, SDAD launched the Deaf Heritage Virtual Museum (announced January 20, 2025) to document and preserve the history of Deaf organizations, leaders, and events throughout South Dakota. The museum begins with the history of the South Dakota School for the Deaf.