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Deaf History That: Before the NAD

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Deaf people were faced with a dilemma that had raised concerns among them. It was generally known that deaf people, upon the graduation from school, would acquire jobs and live at their respective places. However, the idea of deaf people living far apart from their friends could have a negative impact on their intelligence. They needed to gather and discuss solutions. So in 1853, deaf people in New England congregated in Vermont and decided to establish an organization. Subsequently, in 1854, Thomas Brown--who was in charge of developing the constitution for the newly formed group-- and others gathered for a meeting in Henniker, New Hampshire. The meeting, which lasted for several days, formed the constitution. The name of the new organization was the New England Gallaudet Association of the Deaf, the NEGAD. The purpose of the organization was to promote the intellectual growth among the deaf people who lived in various places and to become a model for other states to follow. Eventually, other states had established their own state associations, which prompted the eventual establishment of the National Association of the Deaf, the NAD. All of that began with a group of people who were posed with a question that led to the national organization that made it possible for all deaf to advance. Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

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In 1853, the deaf community in Vermont held a meeting and decided to establish an organization. A year later, the group drafted a constitution and named the organization the New England Gallaudet Association of the Deaf, the NEGAD. The purpose of the organization was to promote the intellectual growth among the deaf community. Eventually, other states established their own state associations, which prompted the eventual establishment of the National Association of the Deaf, the NAD. Part of the “Deaf History That” series.