The West Virginia Association of the Deaf (WVAD) is the state affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for West Virginia. Founded in 1915 and officially incorporated in 1930, WVAD is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Executive Board of Directors. The association operates through nine regional chapters across the state and is dedicated to serving the Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind communities throughout West Virginia.
- Website: www.wvad.org
- Mission: "To promote the social, educational, civic, mental health, and economic welfare of all deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind within the State of West Virginia."
- Governance: WVAD is governed by a volunteer Executive Board of Directors and operates through nine recognized regional chapters across the state.
- Membership: Open to Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind individuals, allies, and professionals working within the Deaf community.
| Position |
Name |
Contact |
| President |
Hal Hunter-Suddreth |
wvadpresident@gmail.com |
| Vice President |
Jimmy Harrison |
304-308-6319 |
| Secretary |
Franny Lawrence-Walker |
— |
| Treasurer |
Veronda Harrison |
— |
WVAD maintains nine recognized chapters across West Virginia, including the Wheeling Association of the Deaf (northern panhandle) and the Charleston Association of the Deaf (Kanawha Valley). Each chapter operates locally under the umbrella of the state executive board.
The West Virginia Association of the Deaf traces its roots to the early 20th century. WVAD was organized in 1915 as an advocacy and information network for the Deaf and hard of hearing in West Virginia. The organization was formally established and incorporated in 1930, creating a structured statewide framework for Deaf advocacy.
WVAD's founding was closely tied to the establishment of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB). The WVSDB was established by an Act of the West Virginia Legislature on March 3, 1870, and opened in Romney, West Virginia in September of that year. The first school term began on Thursday, September 29, 1870. The school later desegregated following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
Over the decades, WVAD has grown from its early roots in Wheeling (then the state capital) to a statewide organization with nine recognized chapters. The association has been an active NAD affiliate, sending delegates to NAD Biennial Conferences and contributing to national civil rights efforts for the Deaf community.
¶ Mission and Values
WVAD's core mission is to promote the social, educational, civic, mental health, and economic welfare of all deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals within West Virginia. The association is:
- Operated by the Deaf community
- Operated for the Deaf community
- Advocating for Deaf civil rights, educational equity, and interpreter standards
¶ Advocacy and Legislative Work
WVAD has been a driving force behind disability advocacy in West Virginia for over a century, pushing for landmark civil rights legislation, structured interpreter standards, and systemic educational milestones:
- West Virginia Interpreter for the Deaf Act (WV Code §5-14A-2): Establishes certification standards for qualified sign language interpreters, requiring certification through NAD or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
- Code of State Rules, Title 192, Series 3: Interpreter Task Force regulations maintained by the WV Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WVCDHH) to ensure qualified interpreter access in public and private service settings.
- West Virginia Judiciary Interpreter Services: WVAD advocacy has contributed to mandatory interpreter provisions under both federal and state law for court proceedings.
- Educational Access: Continued support for WVSDB and integration of Deaf education into mainstream school systems.
- Olmstead Act Compliance: WVAD has advocated for the integration of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals into community-based services rather than institutional settings.
WVAD hosts a biennial (every two years) State Association Conference. Recent and upcoming events include:
- 2025 Biennial Conference — August 7–10, 2025 at Canaan Valley Resort, Davis, WV. Included workshops on Friday and Saturday, with registration and accommodations coordinated through the WVAD Facebook group.
- 2026 Town Hall & Board Meeting — February 21, 2026 in Martinsburg, WV.
- 2027 Biennial Conference — Next scheduled state convention (biennial cycle).
- WVAD Biennial Picnic — Past event held August 13, 2022.
- Winter Career-Ready Camp — Past event held December 27, 2021, providing vocational and career development opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing youth.
- Deaf Culture Events — Regular social gatherings, games, and community-building activities hosted by chapters and the state organization.
- NAD Conference Delegation — WVAD regularly sends representatives to NAD's Regional and Biennial Conferences to participate in national governance and advocacy.
¶ Chapters and Regional Organizations
WVAD officially recognizes nine regional chapters across the state of West Virginia. Known chapters include:
- Wheeling Association of the Deaf — Northern Panhandle region; hosts local social events and gatherings.
- Charleston Association of the Deaf — Kanawha Valley/Charleston area; one of the most active chapters.
Additional chapters serve communities in other West Virginia regions. The full roster of nine chapter locations is not publicly published in a single digital registry.
- West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WVCDHH) — State agency established in 1989 under WV Code §5-14-5. Provides interpreter referral services, information clearinghouse, and coordinates policies for Deaf/HoH residents. Website: dhhr.wv.gov/cdhh
- West Virginia Deaf Service Center (WDSC) — Nonprofit providing direct support, vocational guidance, and life skills training for the Deaf/HoH community. Run by Deaf/HoH staff and interpreters. Located at 410 Waybright Ln, Ripley, WV 25271. Website: wvdeafservicecenter.org
- West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) — State school established 1870, located in Romney, WV. Provides comprehensive educational programs for hearing impaired and visually impaired students. Phone: (304) 822-4860. Website: wvsdb2.state.k12.wv.us
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — WVAD is an official NAD state affiliate.