By Robert G. Sanderson, 1998

HERE are some of the many things that the UAD members and their officers have been doing on behalf of all of the deaf and hard of hearing people on Utah - without the help of critics.

Operates the Utah Relay Service

• Successfully closes out hundreds of thousands of calls for deaf people.
• Conducts outreach activities, helping educate deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired people as to the services available.

Has been distributing TTYs to qualifying deaf people

• No needy deaf person or hard of hearing person needs to go without

Operates the UAD Bookstore

• Provides a place where people can buy needed books, TDDs, and many other items on deafness

Publishes the UAD Bulletin

• Every month the news of Utah deaf happenings goes to hundreds of deaf and hard of hearing people and their friends - FREE

Publishes the annual Utah TTY Directory

• And it is FREE to TTY users

Holds Biennial Conferences of the membership

• Members may, and do have their say, have a bit of political fun and elect board members to serve the next two years. (Hearing people may join too).

Is an affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf

• UAD members elect representatives to the NAD conferences (and have political fun), and participate in the business of protecting the legal rights and privileges of deaf people nationally.

The UAD is a major contributor to the Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation.

• The Foundation provides scholarships to deserving, qualified deaf and hard of hearing students so that they may continue their studies.

Hosted a Regional Bilingual/Bicultural Conference

• Parents of deaf children, deaf adults, teachers and administrators attended.

Major Sponsor of the Jean Massieu School for the Deaf

• This is the Charter School you have been hearing about

Sponsor of the Deaf Connection

• Parents of deaf children, their children, deaf adults and others get together for interaction, games, and a wonderful time (how about joining them sometimes, and supporting parents who want the best for their deaf kids?).

Sponsors the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant

• Utah has pretty girls!  Support them!

A Sponsor for the NWAAD regional Softball Tournament

• Yep! Sports too.

Supported a Deaf Child's Bill of Rights

• Yep! The UAD believes deaf children have rights

Supports the Deaf Mentor Program

• Encourages the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in its efforts to get adequate funding for this successful program.

Sponsored a Parliamentary Workshop for Deaf Leaders

• The UAD brought Dr. Gerald ("Bummy") Burstein, a deaf registered parliamentarian, to Utah to help our deaf organizations leaders with their meetings.

The UAD established the first Interpreter Service for the Deaf in Utah

• UAD officers worked with community services and the United Way for funding

The UAD strongly supported (but did not lobby for) legislation.

• Making schools, colleges and universities accept ASL for credit toward language requirements.
• Establishing certification of interpreters.

The Utah Association for the Deaf believes in working with, not against, parents and the Utah School for the Deaf in an effort to improve education. There will always be conflicts, differing ideas and opinions, but open dialogue is the best way to go.