Canadian Association of the Deaf

Overview

The Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD; French: Association des sourds du Canada, ASC) is a prominent Canadian non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the interests and well-being of the Deaf community across Canada. It supports users of both American Sign Language (ASL) and Quebec Sign Language (LSQ).

History

Founded in 1940, the Canadian Association of the Deaf was established through a collaborative effort by the Western Canada, Ontario, and Eastern Canada associations of the Deaf, with support from the Montreal Association of the Deaf. The primary goal at its inception was to create and administer a national fund providing scholarships to Deaf individuals who lacked such opportunities in their regions[1][3].

Roles and Achievements

• Education and Advocacy: The CAD has been instrumental in advocating for Deaf educators and sign language instruction in Deaf schools. A notable event was the organization of the National Deaf Education Day rally in 1989, which significantly raised awareness and support for these causes[2][3].
• Literacy and Employment: The CAD conducted research highlighting the high rate of functional illiteracy among Deaf Canadians and developed a model literacy training program to address this issue. Additionally, it worked to address underemployment by securing funding for job creation and training opportunities[2].
• Accessibility and Legal Milestones: A landmark achievement was the Eldridge case in 1997, where the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that all government-funded services must be accessible to the Deaf[2].
• International Engagement: In 2003, the CAD hosted the 14th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in Montreal, which led to the establishment of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters[3].
• Captioning and Communications: The CAD played a pivotal role in the development of captioning services in Canada, starting with the Captioned Films and Telecommunications Program in 1970[3].

Structure and Leadership

The entire board of the CAD is composed of Deaf persons, ensuring that the organization's affairs are controlled and administered by members of the Deaf community[1]. While the CAD engages hearing individuals in advisory roles, the leadership and governance remain firmly Deaf-led[1].

Purpose

The Canadian Association of the Deaf focuses on improving the lives of Deaf people across Canada, addressing issues such as education, employment, and accessibility to promote equality and inclusivity[1][2].