The Tennessee Association of the Deaf (TAD) is the state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for Tennessee. Founded in 1897, TAD is one of the oldest state organizations of its kind in the United States. The association is dedicated to protecting the rights, accessibility, and general welfare of over 500,000 Deaf and hard-of-hearing Tennesseans, operating across six designated regions throughout the state.
- Website: www.tad1897.org
- Mission: "To promote the education, economic equity, social welfare, and cultural preservation of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community by ensuring equal access, inclusion, and recognition across all areas of society."
- Core Values: Protection of legal rights, assurance of accessibility to all programs, advocacy for program improvement, and legal actions in the State Legislature.
- Structure: TAD operates under a formal Constitution & Bylaws framework (PDF available on website) and is organized into six designated service regions across Tennessee.
- Membership: $10 for a two-year period. Active members receive voting rights on organizational policies, the ability to run for office, serve as voting delegates at state and national conferences, apply for scholarships, and receive reduced prices on events and conferences.
- Newsletter: Available via email signup on the website.
TAD's leadership is elected at each biennial conference. Officers are listed on the "Meet the Board" page:
The 2025 Biennial Conference (October 17–18, 2025) was organized by:
- Conference Chair: Dr. Char Sculley (Housekeeping Rules)
- Parliamentarian: April Haggard
- Nomination Officers: Anna Austin
- Bylaws Review: Jennifer Dean
- Registration Coordinator: Jenny Partain
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marla Hatrak, NAD Education Policy Consultant (LEAD-K presentation)
- Panelists: Tom D'Angelo, The Tuckers (DEAFinitely Fun), Kris Davis, Dr. Dan Hoffman, Jenny Partain, Dr. Sandra Edwards, Dr. Michael Skyer, Amy Farrell
The conference theme was "Strength in Unity, A New Era in the Deaf Community." Michael Armstrong administered the oath of office for the newly elected board.
TAD is organized into six regions with an interactive map showing regional coverage:
- Region 1 — Memphis (West Tennessee)
- Region 2 — Jackson (West Tennessee)
- Region 3 — Nashville (Middle Tennessee)
- Region 4 — Chattanooga (Southeast Tennessee)
- Region 5 — Knoxville (East Tennessee)
- Region 6 — Johnson City (East Tennessee)
Each region coordinates with local community service centers and organizes local events.
TAD provides a wide range of programs aimed at supporting and strengthening the Deaf community in Tennessee:
TAD's advocacy work is built on four pillars:
- Education: Ensure every Deaf child has full access to quality, language-rich education.
- Economic Empowerment: Remove barriers to employment and expand economic opportunities for Deaf individuals.
- Social Welfare: Ensure equitable access to healthcare, emergency services, and community support systems.
- Preservation: Protect and promote Deaf culture, ASL, and community heritage.
TAD also provides a suggested ADA accommodation letter template for requesting interpreters at businesses.
Described as "Coming Soon" on the website.
A proud TAD advocacy initiative — a grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring that Deaf and hard-of-hearing children across Tennessee have equitable access to language development from birth. Early language access is the foundation of literacy, education, and lifelong opportunity.
- Vision: Tennessee offers every child access to develop language to be kindergarten ready.
- Partnership: TN H&V (Tennessee Hearing and Visually Impaired) and TAD are allies in advocating for language equity.
- Contact: Tracy Duncan — tn.lead.k@gmail.com, 615.293.7039
An informal, engaging conversation format where invited speakers share personal stories and insights on specific topics. Fireside chats are designed to feel relaxed and conversational. TAD is seeking qualified presenters from government, private industry, academia, and nonprofits.
Priority topics for presentations:
- Deaf Education (Legislation)
- Community Engagement (Youth, DeafBlind, and/or Aging)
- Supporting TAD providers (Strategies for funding and mental health)
- Interpreter Issues (Standards, waivers, employment domains)
- Disaster preparedness (Community preparedness skills and storytelling)
Presentations can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid. Interested speakers complete a presenter interest form on the website.
Described as "Future Goal: Summer Camp with Families and Children."
Described as "Future Goal: Monthly Virtual Workshops."
A page for honoring deceased members is referenced in the navigation but currently returns a 404 error.
- Latest Event: May 2, 2026 — TAD Board Meeting at BridgesWest, 2655 Union Ave Extended, Memphis (9:45 AM – 2:00 PM)
- No upcoming events currently listed. Events are searchable by keyword on the website calendar.
- Dates: October 17–18, 2025
- Location: Wilson County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, TN
- Theme: "Strength in Unity, A New Era in the Deaf Community"
- Keynote: Dr. Marla Hatrak, NAD Education Policy Consultant, with LEAD-K presentation
- Regular (after August 1, 2025): $80
- Seniors (55+): $70
- After October 1, 2025: $100 for all participants
- One-Day Pass: $55 (no discounts, includes meals and events)
- Children's meals: $10 per person per meal (parents responsible for supervision)
- All rates included TAD membership, 4 meals, keynote, workshops, and entertainment.
Friday, October 17, 2025:
- 3:00 PM — Registration Opens (Jenny Partain)
- 4:30 PM — Dinner: Taco/Nacho Bar (Made by the Stockards)
- 6:00 PM — Ceremony Begins (Chair Dr. Char Sculley, Introduction by Michael Armstrong)
- 6:15 PM — Keynote: Dr. Marla Hatrak
- 7:15 PM — Bylaws Review (Jennifer Dean, Parliamentarian: April Haggard)
- 9:00 PM — Social
- 10:00 PM — Leave the building
Saturday, October 18, 2025:
- 7:45 AM — Registration (Jenny Partain)
- 8:00 AM — Continental Breakfast (Pastries, Eggbites, Fruits, Coffee/Juice — Served by the Stockards)
- 8:45 AM — Conference Begins (Michael Armstrong)
- 9:00 AM — "Our Hands, Our Business: Deaf Entrepreneurs Speak" Panel (Facilitator: Michael Armstrong; Panelists: Tom D'Angelo, The Tuckers, Kris Davis)
- 10:00 AM — Break
- 10:30 AM — "Every Child Deserves Language: LEAD-K and the Future of Deaf Education" Panel (Facilitator: Dr. Dan Hoffman; Panelists: Jenny Partain, Dr. Sandra Edwards, Dr. Michael Skyer, Amy Farrell)
- 11:30 AM — Workshop Ends (Helpers: High School ASL Students)
- 11:45 AM — Lunch: Rotisserie Chicken, Coleslaw, Potato Chips, Buns, Cookies (Made by Rusty Lower)
- 12:45 PM — Awards (Michael Armstrong)
- 1:15 PM — Business Meeting (Current Board, Parliamentarian: April Haggard)
- 2:30 PM — Exhibitors Close (Helpers: High School ASL Students)
- 2:45 PM — Resume Business Meeting
- 4:00 PM — Nomination Officers (Anna Austin)
- 5:00 PM — Oath of Office — New Board (Michael Armstrong)
- 5:30 PM — Dinner: Spaghetti Meatballs, Lasagna, Baked Chicken Breast, Tossed Salad, Caesar Salad, Garlic Rolls (Served by Demos)
- 7:00 PM — Entertainment: DEAFinitely Fun with Tuckers
Registration forms, artisan vendor forms, exhibitor invitations, and sponsorship forms are available on the Conference page.
TAD maintains a comprehensive Resource section with 11 sub-pages covering critical topics for the Deaf community in Tennessee:
TAD maintains a directory of Deaf-owned businesses in Tennessee:
Page states "More Information coming soon."
Comprehensive guide covering federal laws protecting Deaf students:
- IDEA (1975): Guarantees FAPE in LRE, requires IEPs, provides sign language interpreters, CART, assistive listening devices, speech therapy, audiology services. Parents have due process rights.
- Section 504 (1973): Protects students in federally funded programs, provides 504 Plans with accommodations like captioned media, preferential seating, note-taking assistance, interpreters for extracurriculars.
- ADA (1990): Requires effective communication in and outside classrooms (Title II for public, Title III for private), interpreters and captioning at no cost.
- Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008): Funding for postsecondary disability services, accessible technology.
- Section 508 (1998): Federal accessibility for digital content including online learning platforms.
For struggles with accessibility: Disability Rights Tennessee
Links to Tennessee state government resources: tn.gov/residents, tn.gov/residents/communities
Agencies can advertise services by emailing advertise@tad1897.org with agency name, primary contact, targeted service area, languages offered, and brief description of services.
Lawyers seeking to advertise must submit a request to advertise@tad1897.org. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Comprehensive guide to laws protecting patient rights:
- ADA (1990): Requires "effective communication" with Deaf/hard-of-hearing patients (interpreters, CART, assistive listening). Providers cannot charge for interpreter costs.
- Section 504 (1973): Prohibits discrimination in federally funded healthcare.
- Section 1557 (ACA 2010): Broadens disability discrimination protections in healthcare receiving federal assistance.
- IDEA: Covers children receiving medical/educational services through schools (early intervention, audiology, speech therapy).
- Section 508 (1998): Accessible patient portals and medical websites.
Key protections in practice: Hospitals/clinics must provide interpreters (in-person or VRI). Written notes alone are often insufficient. Providers must respect patient communication preferences. Denial of interpreter services may constitute disability discrimination.
For accessibility struggles: Disability Rights Tennessee
Page states "Coming soon."
- Check Voting Status/How to Vote: TN Map Voter Lookup
- ASL voting information video (Disability Rights Texas)
TAD provides a contact form on their website. No direct email or phone number is published on the website. For officer-specific contact, use the emails listed above under Leadership.
Support TAD through their donation page at tad1897.org/donation. Donations support:
- Equal access to education and employment
- Civil rights and accessibility advocacy
- Resources for families and communities
- Preservation of Deaf culture and ASL