EST. 1967
NEWS
DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, & DEAFBLIND SENIORS
— WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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Join NJAD's Virtual Deaf Seniors Town Hall on
Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 PM EST.
Learn about programs, services, and resources from the New Jersey Division of Aging Services (DoAS) and share your experiences, concerns, ideas, and questions.
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Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83250187907pwd=Rmmuwsc6tBQWIATdrDPVS5i187jiJt.1
Your feedback will help NJAD identify priorities and needs of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind seniors in New Jersey.
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Questions:
Email: Darlene.Sarnouski@deafnjad.org
Subject line: "NJAD Seniors Town Hall"
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Your Voice. Your Community. Your Future.
Share Your Voice: NJ Deaf Community Input for the NAD Conference
The New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD) delegation will attend the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Conference in San Francisco, California, from June 30 to July 5, 2026. As delegates representing New Jersey's Deaf community, we are seeking input from community members across the state to help guide our participation in conference discussions, forums, resolutions, and leadership engagement. We invite Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled individuals, family members, and community allies to share their thoughts on issues affecting the Deaf community, priorities for NAD, advocacy efforts, representation, and the future of Deaf leadership. Responses will be reviewed and summarized by the NJAD delegation and will help ensure that New Jersey's perspectives and priorities are represented during the conference.
Please submit your responses by
June 25, 2026
Celebrating
Pride Month
Image description: Flyer for NJAD’s LGBTQIA+ webinar presentation. The flyer features a rainbow banner across the top with the title “Queer ASL Through Time: Language, Identity, & Community” inside a white rounded text box. Below the title, the flyer invites the community to join the New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD) for a special Zoom presentation featuring Elisa Velez. The flyer includes the Zoom meeting ID, passcode, event date, and time. A professional photo of Elisa Velez appears on the right side of the flyer. She is smiling at the camera and wearing a black top with blue jewelry against a light background. A short biography describes her as a Deaf Latina educator, lecturer at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology (NTID/RIT), and current member of the ASLTA LGBTQIA+ Committee. The flyer also includes accommodation request information and the NJAD logo at the bottom.
Celebrating Asian Hertiage Month
Watch her
brief ASL Video introduction
Image description: Flyer for NJAD’s Asian Heritage Month webinar. The flyer uses green and gold colors with the NJAD logo at the top. The title says “Continuing the Celebration of Asian Heritage Month.” The webinar topic is “What Do You Know About Asian Signers?” presented by Lee Ann Tang. The flyer includes the Zoom webinar date and time, along with a QR code to watch a brief ASL intro video. A professional headshot photo shows Lee Ann Tang, a Deaf Asian woman with medium-length black hair worn down, smiling at the camera while wearing a maroon top against a light background. A short biography about her appears next to the photo. The bottom section includes information for accommodation requests and NJAD contact information.
Deaf History Month
(April 2026)
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Image Description:
An official proclamation document from the State of New Jersey declaring April 2026 as Deaf History Month.
The document includes several “Whereas” statements recognizing Deaf history, Deaf culture, and the contributions of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities in New Jersey.
It highlights the importance of Deaf education, including the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf, and acknowledges advocacy and community contributions.
The proclamation states that April 2026 is officially recognized as Deaf History Month in New Jersey. At the bottom are official signatures from state leaders and a gold state seal.
Image Description:
A dark green flyer with white and mustard yellow text for Deaf History Month.
The title reads “We Carry Deaf History Forward,” with “Deaf History” highlighted in yellow.Below, the text says: “Deaf history is more than the past.
It lives in our language, culture, and community—and in us."
Four boxes list weekly themes:
Week 1: Language
Week 2: Culture
Week 3: Community
Week 4: Our Story
The flyer invites viewers to “Stay connected with us” and lists NJAD’s social media and website: Instagram @deafnjad, DeafNJAD.org, YouTube channel @deafnjad, and Facebook page New Jersey Association of the Deaf – NJAD.
The NJAD logo appears on the right side.At the bottom, in yellow text, it says: “We remain committed to raising awareness about Deaf history. Proudly recognized by the State of New Jersey as Deaf History Month.”Footer text reads: “NJAD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.”
Women's History Month
(March 2026)
Week 1:
National Deaf Women Trailblazers
Image Description:
Purple flyer for Women’s History Month titled “Women Wednesday” with the theme “Many Stories. One Deaf Community.” The flyer highlights four Deaf women trailblazers: Agatha Tiegel Hanson for language and education, Gertrude Galloway for advocacy, Shirley Allen for leadership, and Claudia Gordon for law and policy. The bottom includes the New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD) logo.
Week 2:
Honoring Andrea Panella
Image Description:
Purple flyer for Women’s History Month titled “Honoring Andrea Panella – NJAD Founding Leader,” with a gold sparkle design under the title. The flyer explains that Andrea helped bring Deaf leaders together in 1967 to create a statewide Deaf organization in New Jersey. She was the youngest person at the first meeting and the only woman among the founding members. NJAD was officially established in 1968 in Asbury Park, and Andrea later documented the organization’s history. The flyer includes the NJAD logo and a black-and-white photo of Andrea Panella.
Week 3:
Board Members & Standing Committees
Image Description:
Purple flyer for Women’s History Month titled “Honoring NJAD Women Leaders.” It shows photos of women on the NJAD Board and Standing Committees with their names and roles. The flyer thanks them for volunteering their time, meeting, sharing ideas, and supporting the Deaf community in New Jersey. The NJAD logo is shown on the right.
Week 4:
Deaf Student & Alumni Leaders
Image Description:
Purple flyer honoring Deaf women connected to MKSD and Deaf education programs, featuring current students and alumni, and highlighting their journey from education to leadership and community impact.