GAD Goals and Achievements

GAD Achievements 2022

  • Supported AASD student protestors over superintendent selection concerns
  • Participated in Deaf Expo in May with a booth and a presentation about GAD and Deaf Georgia
  • Collaborated with GaRID and NAOBI with the first ASL Cookout on Memorial Day.
  • Collaborated with GCDHH and DBHDD-Deaf Service on the First Responders' Deaf curriculum development project.
  • Submitted a NAD priority proposal targeting on the Vocational Rehabilitation crisis
  • Supported and mentored DeMarco Pittman's preparation for the Pitch Competition
  • GAD Member DeMarco Pittman representing Regional III NAD Youth Representative
  • GAD member Thomas Swope is chosen as Chair of Deaf Culture and History Section under NAD
  • GAD President DeAnna Swope chosen as one of the three leaders of a newly established NAD Section of BIPOC
  • GAD won Regional III’s “State Association of the Year” at NAD Conference 2022
  • GAD Vice President Scott Cohen successfully hosting STEM HANDS camp for deaf high schoolers
  • Collected historical information for e-book
  • GAD Symposium in lieu of mini-conference
  • Four Town Halls so far (Atlanta, Columbus, Rome, Augusta)
  • Restructuring and rebuilding GAD: new website, membership access, technological upgrading
  • GAD hosted a booth at Fall Fest 2022 with a successful fundraiser and networking.

GAD Goals 2021-2023

  • Priority 1: ASL Resources for Deaf Babies
  • Priority 2: Achieving Equity in Deaf Education
  • Priority 3: Addressing Well-Being Crisis of Deaf Youths
  • Priority 4: Deaf Senior Citizens Issues
  • Priority 5: Dismantling Racism
  • Push on Vocational Rehabilitation Issues Improvement
  • Push on Deaf Education Strategies for Literacy Improvement
  • Interpreter Licensure Bill Task Force
  • Educational webinars
  • Education Advocates Strategic Initiatives
  • Voter Registration Drive
  • Support Deaf Mental Health expansion drive
  • Promotion of Deaf Georgia Ecosystem
  • Adding to Growth of Deaf Georgia His/herstory
  • Greater collaborative engagement with governmental agencies and other like-minded local organizations
  • Greater digital presence and technological integration