The Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD) is the state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for Virginia. It is a non-profit organization founded in 1891 to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VAD was formally established with Reverend Job Turner (1830–1903) — an influential Deaf educator and minister who taught at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) — as its first president, laying a strong foundation for decades of Deaf-led community advocacy and civil rights progress in Virginia.
VAD is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors elected at the biennial conference.
Current Board (2025–2027):
- President: Melanie Williams
- Vice President: Jeanne Lavelle
- Secretary: Cynthia Burton
- Treasurer: Tom Dowling
- NVAD Representative: Mike Yared
- Member at Large: Ben Belisle
- Member at Large: Eddie Drawdy
- Member at Large: Yvonne Dickens
- First President: Reverend Job Turner (1830–1903), Deaf educator and minister at VSDB
- First Washington Chapter President: Reuben I. Altizer (September 1945, later known as NVAD); membership dues were 50 cents/year
The Virginia Association of the Deaf was established in 1891, six years after the founding of the National Association of the Deaf (1880). Reverend Job Turner, who served as the first president, helped organize the association and championed Deaf rights through his decades-long career at VSDB.
Historical highlights include:
- 1923: VAD erected a memorial tablet at VSDB honoring Reverend Job Turner's 34 years of service
- 1945: The Washington Chapter of VAD was formed in September 1945 with Reuben I. Altizer as first president; it later became the Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf (NVAD)
- 2012: VAD mobilized members in opposition to the proposed merger of VDDHH with other state agencies; Gary Viall and Cheryl Heppner testified before the Senate Finance Committee, emphasizing VDDHH's unique role as the sole voice of the Deaf on the state level and the risk of losing Deaf identity and specialized services
- 2012: VAD advocated for the Deaf Child's Bill of Rights (HB 218/SB 399); HB 218 passed the House 98-2; SB 399 was referred to the 2013 session due to opposition from public schools. The bill would have updated education quality and required public schools to overhaul Deaf education programs
VAD's official mission statement:
to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
VAD operates under bylaws that govern board elections, meeting frequency, and delegate selection for the NAD Council of Representatives. The board includes elected officers (President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer) and Members-at-Large. VAD sends delegates to the NAD Biennial Conference where the Council of Representatives meets to vote on NAD policies and elect national officers.
VAD actively advocates at the state level through:
- Legislative hearings: Testifying before the Virginia General Assembly, including regional budget hearings in Fairfax and Lexington
- Coalition building: Partnering with the Statewide Interagency Team for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services to organize rallies and advocacy events (e.g., 2012 Coalition Rally in Richmond, January 16, 2012)
- Bill sponsorship: Supporting legislation such as the Deaf Child's Bill of Rights (HB 218/SB 399, 2012)
- Open captioning advocacy: Recent advocacy has resulted in the passage of open captioning bills for Virginia
- VDDHH protection: Advocating for the independence of the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) as the primary state voice for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Virginians
- NAD representation: Sending elected state delegates to the biennial NAD Council of Representatives
Virginia delegates participated in the 58th Biennial NAD Conference (June 30–July 5, 2026) in San Francisco, California, including Council of Representatives business meetings. Jeanne Lavelle (VAD VP) was listed as a Virginia participant at NAD 2026.
Regular Events:
- Biennial VAD Conference — held every two years; board elections occur at this conference; Council of Representatives credentials and business meetings
- VAD Mini-Conferences — regional meetings held throughout the year. The Northern Virginia VAD Mini-Conference (November 16, 2024) included a 9:30 AM business meeting and 2:00 PM session on NAD priorities and town hall discussions
- Silent Socials / ASL Socials — community social gatherings, such as the ASL Social at Veditz and Company Brewing (November 1)
2025–2026 Events:
- VAD Mini-Conference 2024 (November 16, 2024) — Northern Virginia, Fairfax. Business meeting 9:30 AM–12:30 PM; NAD priorities and town hall 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
- ASL Social — Veditz and Company Brewing (November 1)
- 58th Biennial NAD Conference — June 30–July 5, 2026, San Francisco, CA. VAD delegates participated
VAD coordinates with local chapters and affiliated community groups across Virginia:
- Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf (NVAD) — Serving Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. Originally a formal VAD chapter, NVAD now operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collaborates closely with VAD. Hosts silent socials and general meetings. Website: nvad1945.org
- Old Dominion Association of the Deaf (ODAD) — Greater Richmond Chapter of the Deaf. Formerly known as the Greater Richmond Chapter of VAD. Hosts regular silent dinners and provides a hub for local advocacy. Facebook: facebook.com/groups/148239531579693/
- Shenandoah Valley Club of the Deaf — Serving the Shenandoah Valley region. Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/svcdeaf/
- Southwest VA Club of the Deaf — Serving Southwest Virginia. Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/1568502750106432/
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — National civil rights organization; VAD is the state affiliate and sends delegates to NAD Biennial Conferences
- Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) — State agency providing case management, communication assessments, assistive technology, and employment services: vddhh.org
- Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) — The state school for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students; bilingual ASL/English programs: vsdb.k12.va.us
- Virginia School for the Deaf Alumni Association (VSDAA) — Alumni network and home to the Deaf History Museum: vsdaa.org
- Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) — Regional service center: nvrc.org
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) — National professional organization for sign language interpreters; Virginia has active interpreter participation in NAD conferences
- Virginia Deaf and ASL Social Events — Community Facebook group for social gatherings: facebook.com/groups/VirginiaDeafandASLSocialEvents
- Deaf Culture Digital Library — deaflibva.org — comprehensive listing of Virginia Deaf organizations