Founded on March 11, 1893 by alumni of the Arkansas School for the Deaf, the Arkansas Association of the Deaf (AAD) is a state association affiliated with the National Association of the Deaf. AAD is an all volunteer, non-profit organization, with membership open to anyone who supports and advocates for the rights and equal treatment for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing individuals. That includes educational choices. While most members of AAD are fluent in sign language, it is not required at all. The AAD seeks to include the "deaf community" as a whole--hearing impaired as well as hearing individuals. That includes parents, siblings, children, family, educators, interpreters and everyone else who support the constitution and goals of the AAD. The primary goal of the AAD is that it will help pave the way for all individuals to achieve full participation into the mainstream of life and community with the least barriers possible. AAD desires to use this web site as an information sharing and educational tool to achieve that goal. If you have questions about the content of this website, please contact Carel Dunaway, Chair of the Website Committee, at webchair@arkad.org or any of the AAD Board Members.