The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the nation’s premier civil rights organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, has released a wide-ranging status report detailing ongoing legal advocacy, educational policy development, and final preparations for its upcoming 58th biennial conference. The update, provided by interim CEO Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins and key department directors, highlights a significant legal victory regarding police-community relations and provides a status report on organizational youth empowerment initiatives.
Legal Advocacy and Landmark Settlement
At the forefront of the organization’s recent activities is a major legal victory secured by the NAD’s legal department. Director of Legal Services Brittany Shrader, Esq., announced that the organization recently reached a $1.2 million settlement in a case involving a deaf mother and her two 11-year-old twin daughters.
The incident, which took place during a law enforcement interaction, centered on the failure of police to provide effective communication. According to case details, the responding officer, who was wearing a mask, refused to accommodate the mother’s communication needs and attempted to utilize the minor children as interpreters. The situation escalated, ultimately resulting in the arrest of the mother.
Legal experts point to this case as a critical precedent regarding the interpretation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the context of law enforcement. The ADA mandates that public entities provide effective communication for individuals with disabilities, and the reliance on untrained minors to bridge communication gaps is widely considered a violation of these standards. The $1.2 million settlement is intended not only to compensate the victims for the trauma sustained but also to serve as a financial and policy deterrent to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The NAD maintains that professional, qualified interpreters are the only acceptable standard for law enforcement interactions with the deaf community.
Educational Policy and the Blueprint on Excellence
Parallel to its legal efforts, the NAD is intensifying its focus on systemic educational reform. Dr. Marla Hatrak, an educational policy consultant for the organization, is currently finalizing the "Blueprint on Excellence in Deaf Education" (BEDE). This initiative aims to address long-standing disparities in educational outcomes for deaf students across the United States.
The BEDE project is designed to provide a cohesive national framework to standardize quality in deaf education, which has historically been fragmented across state lines and varying local school district policies. Dr. Hatrak intends to present the full scope of the blueprint during the #NAD2026 Conference in San Francisco. The initiative represents a proactive shift for the NAD, moving from reactive advocacy to the creation of structural policy recommendations intended to influence federal and state educational standards.
The 58th Biennial Conference: San Francisco 2026
Preparations for the 58th biennial National Association of the Deaf conference are entering their final stages. Scheduled to take place in San Francisco this summer, the event serves as the primary gathering point for the organization’s members to set national priorities, engage in policy discussions, and foster community cohesion.
Nancy Bloch, Assistant to the Interim CEO, reported that the conference’s official hotel room block is currently at 60% capacity. With the May 20 registration deadline approaching, the organization is urging members to secure their accommodations and conference credentials promptly. The conference is expected to draw thousands of attendees and will feature a full slate of programming, including business meetings for the Council of Representatives, specialized workshops, and corporate exhibitions.
The biennial meeting is a cornerstone of the NAD’s democratic process. It is during this event that the organization’s agenda for the following two years is formally codified. Given the current political and social climate regarding disability rights, the 2026 meeting is expected to be one of the most high-stakes gatherings in the organization’s recent history.
Empowering the Next Generation of Leadership
A significant portion of the NAD’s current resources is dedicated to youth programming, overseen by Director of Youth Programs Claudia Giordano. The organization views these initiatives as essential to the long-term sustainability of the deaf rights movement.
The Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) remains the flagship program in this sector. For the 2026 cycle, 64 campers from across the United States will converge in the Pacific Northwest to participate in intensive leadership and teamwork training. The program combines outdoor activities with structured mentorship from established national leaders.
In addition to the YLC, the NAD continues to facilitate the Jr. NAD Pages program. This initiative selects deaf students between the ages of 13 and 17 to work directly within the conference environment. By assisting with workshops and observing the proceedings of the Council of Representatives, these students gain a firsthand understanding of governance and advocacy.
Finally, the organization’s biennial College Bowl continues to be a highlight for collegiate-level participants. By matching academic teams from various universities in a competitive format, the NAD seeks to promote intellectual rigor and camaraderie among young deaf adults. Collectively, these programs are designed to create a pipeline of future leaders capable of navigating the complex legal and social landscapes of the 21st century.
Organizational Transition and Strategic Oversight
Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, who currently serves as interim CEO, provided an overview of the administrative state of the organization. Her focus is split between ensuring the success of the upcoming conference and managing the transition to permanent leadership.
The NAD has been engaged in an extensive CEO search process, a period of transition that carries significant implications for the organization’s strategic direction. Dr. Scoggins confirmed that she will continue to support the transition until July 31, 2026, ensuring that the incoming leadership has the necessary institutional knowledge to maintain the momentum of the organization’s current legal and educational advocacy efforts.
Context and Implications
The activities announced by the NAD occur within a broader context of increased scrutiny regarding the rights of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The recent lawsuit with the White House, mentioned by the legal department, suggests that the organization is not shying away from high-level challenges to federal policy.
The emphasis on systemic change—as evidenced by both the $1.2 million settlement and the development of the BEDE project—indicates a strategic pivot. The organization appears to be prioritizing large-scale structural outcomes over localized interventions. This approach is consistent with the NAD’s historical role as a national advocacy body, but it also reflects a response to the growing complexity of legal challenges in the digital and post-pandemic age.
As the organization prepares for the 2026 biennial conference, the intersection of youth empowerment and veteran leadership remains a defining characteristic of its operations. The focus on training the next generation through the YLC and Jr. NAD programs ensures that the organization remains tethered to its grassroots origins while simultaneously pursuing high-level legal and policy victories.
For stakeholders, the upcoming conference in San Francisco will serve as a barometer for the organization’s health and the unity of its membership. With the hotel block nearing capacity and major initiatives like the BEDE project set to debut, the NAD is positioning itself for a pivotal summer. The organization’s ability to manage its administrative transition while maintaining aggressive advocacy efforts will likely determine the trajectory of the deaf rights movement for the remainder of the decade.
