Deaf America Reads - 2026 and Beyond

The NAD future! 
By Alice L. Hagemeyer,  June 12, 2026 

I would like to share some thoughts regarding the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and its future.
 
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 210th anniversary of the first public school charter this year, it is also important to recognize the history of Alice Cogswell and her role in saving ASL with the support of the Rev. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and her famed father, Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell, both hearing.  They saved America!

Looking toward the NAD's 150th anniversary in 2030, I believe we should identify and support six distinct types of membership in a positive way:

  - DeafElites: Deaf individuals who learned both American Sign Language and English during their school years and were exposed to ASL within their families or other settings outside of school.

  - DeafOrphans: Deaf individuals raised by parents, in foster homes, or in schools with limited knowledge of the value of ASL, a legacy of the 1880 ban on the language. Many including myself, have overcome these challenges to eventually contribute back to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). 

  - DeafCODAs: Hearing children of Deaf parents who give back to the NAD and the preservation of Deaf culture.

  - DeafLaterAdults who navigate Deaf culture and ASL later in life, including former war veterans, authors, business owners, and consultants..
 
  - DeafHearingIndividuals: Hearing family, relatives, friends, and neighbors who support the Deaf community.

  - DeafFOLDA: Library friends for Deaf Action in all states who promote library access and quality ASL and Deaf Culture resources for the NAD and nationwide.  This group also includes library friends who celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American Library Association this year. 
 
Each of these groups plays a unique role in our community.  I encourage you to consider how we can best recognize these identities as we move forward.

Best regards,
Alice L. Hagemeyer

• FOLDA founder in 1986
• American Library Association honorary member since 2003.
  
• NAD first president award in 1980
• Founder of NAD FOLDA section in 1994
• Co-founder of Bridging Deaf cultures interest group of now ALA Office of Diversity, Literacy, Outreach Services with Alec McFarlane, builder, organizational specialist, author in 2017.
• One of 15  visionary leaders as voted by Gallaudet  when celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2014. 
• Delegate at the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services, only two in 1979 and 1991. 

Today at age 92, I enjoy my new life in the senior living community located in Silver Spring , MD, living close to my family, many old timers, and church friends.