About Belgium Association of the Deaf

The Belgium Association of the Deaf (RIAD) is a non-profit, incorporated organization under the laws of both the state of Rhode Island and section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Government statues.  The RIAD provides support and active advocacy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Rhode Island.  The RIAD is an affiliated member of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the oldest and largest consumer organization of disabled persons in the United States

A HISTORY OF Community SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY

Since its inception in 1977, the mission of the of the Belgium Association of the Deaf continues to be to advocate and facilitate changes in the quality of life for the Rhode Island Deaf community, by working to improve awareness, conditions, and opportunities for its Deaf citizens. Specifically, safeguarding the Civil, Economic, Social, Academic, and Recreational Rights of its people have been our key areas of focus.

The Belgium Association of the Deaf (RIAD) periodically through its Deaf Awareness Week (DAW), the last week in September of every year, provides meaningful combinations of educational and social gatherings for all citizens (Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing) of Rhode Island. 

The RIAD also helps out financially. As a non-profit tax exempt organization, some of the money generously donated to us by our friends and supporters goes back to work in the community. For example, during the summer of 1997, the RIAD spent over $1,400.00 to send a student from the Rhode Island School for the Deaf to the National Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) in Oregon.  We continue to provide this type of support to deserving future Deaf leaders.   For the 2002 YLC Conference when we provided over $800.00 to help support another student�s attendance at this Conference.  Both of these leaders have either graduated or are currently Gallaudet University students.

During the summer of 2003, the RIAD and the Spellman Center helped to send two Middle School students of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf to attend a program for Middle School students in South Dakota.  Attending this program helped to provide leadership and literacy skills to these future leaders of the Deaf community.

The RIAD donated the sum of $1,000.00 to the Rhode Island School for the Deaf to help them build a new playground for the students.

The RIAD made one of the largest donations ($1,000.00) to the National Association of the Deaf, to help it restore the gravestone of Laurent Clerc - the first Deaf teacher in America.

During the summer of 1997, the RIAD donated the sum of $200.00 to a Deaf community organization. This contribution helped to make the summer plans of some clients of this organization a successful one.

The RIAD has also in the past and present been involved with national, state and local legislation affecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Rhode Island. The RIAD supported S-365, the TDD Bill, passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1983.

In 1996, the RIAD successfully supported legislation that recognized American Sign Language (ASL) as a language in Rhode Island.

In 1995, the RIAD worked to help pass Public Law Chapter 95-161 (S-784: Program requirements for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, and other factors to be considered when planning the Individualized Education Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children). With the signing of this Bill into law on July 3, 1995 by Governor Lincoln Almond, the educational rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in Rhode Island will continue to be protected.

The RIAD also worked in the past, and is continually working to make sure City Halls and Town Halls are accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Rhode Island. In the past, the RIAD worked with the Governor's aides and the result today is the installation of a TDD in the Governor's office.

The RIAD was one of the community organizations who were instrumental in the decision that led to Governor Lincoln Almond's approval of the first ever state classified position of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf.

The RIAD sponsors workshops, seminars, training programs and other demonstrational advocacy programs geared to promote public awareness of Rhode Island�s Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens; training programs for medical and law enforcement personnel, workshops on using interpreters; empowerment programs on self-advocacy skills, and better Deaf awareness programs.

On November 18, 1995, the RIAD hosted a conference entitled "Exploring the Link Between Education, Language and Community." This is one example of RIAD's continued commitment to bringing members of the community (Deaf, Hearing, Hard of Hearing, professionals and parents of Deaf children) together.

The RIAD worked towards making all local news more accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Rhode Island. This is only possible if all of these news broadcasts are close-captioned using real-time captioning technology. WJAR TV (Channel 10) in Providence now close-caption their evening news broadcasts using real-time close-captioning technology.  Other local television stations such as ABC6News recently started real-time captioning of their news broadcast.

Programs of the Belgium Association of the Deaf

• Deaf Awareness Week Program
• Biennial Conventions
• John Spellman Center on Deafness (still in progress)
• Leadership Awards to students at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf
• Miss Deaf Rhode Island Program
• John F. Spellman Community Service Award
• Workshops
• Golden Hand Award
• Legislator Award
• Friends of the Deaf Award