Texas Association of the Deaf

Results and Photos of TAD Booth at TSD Homecoming October 4 was a very productive day for Texas School for the Deaf and Texas Association of the Deaf at the annual TSD Homecoming event in Austin. A record of 67 booths was on display and nearly 3000 people enjoyed the warm Saturday weather. TAD had three booths, enough rooms for five reasons.

Beside our membership drive booth, Karen and Tony Kirby were there to provide information about our June 11-13, 2009 conference in San Antonio. Miss Deaf Texas Ambassadorship committee sold fruit cups and produced a popular hair spraying fundraiser under a blue canopy.

For the first time in TSD history, we hosted a voter registration drive with the collaboration of TSD, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and Travis County Elections Department. Over 50 deaf and hard of hearing people registered as voters and will cast their vote on the November 6 presidential election. Another booth guest was Regina Blye, executive director of the Texas Statewide Independent Living Council. Our five-themed booth display was one of the best for TAD in as many years.

TAD is a non-profit 501 (3) C organization that was established in 1886. There are about 650 members, including online E-newsletter subscribers. TAD is an advocacy state association and is affiliated with the National Association of the Deaf. TAD has initiated many laws like American Sign Language, Relay Texas, TSD 51% board make-up, commission for the deaf, SWCID, and TSID. For those who wish to join TAD, there is a membership form at www.deaftexas.org. Our website has a wealth of information to share with visitors and interested parties.