Mission
The Kentucky Association of the Deaf, Inc. (KAD) is organized exclusively, by and for the deaf community, for charitable and educational purposes, with the right to receive contributions and to distribute them to organizations which qualify as exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue of 1954 or any provisions. The specific purposes of the Corporation is for mutual assistance and encouragement of deaf people and to secure moral, intellectual and social improvement of their educational and vocational opportunities. Also it promotes measures to improve conditions and standing in society at large of deaf persons in Kentucky.
About KAD
The Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD) is an affiliate member of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). NAD was founded in 1880 and is the oldest and largest organization of the deaf in the United States with more than 22,000 members. The NAD along with other 50 state associations of the deaf and KAD work to improve the lifestyle and opportunities of the deaf and hard of hearing people.
The Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD) was founded in 1891 by a group of alumni of the Kentucky School for the Deaf who were concerned about the deaf being excluded from the decision- and making- processes affecting their own destinies.
The Kentucky Association of the Deaf, Inc. (KAD) has been working closely with the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH), the Kentucky School for the Deaf Alumni Association (KSDAA) and the Kentucky Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (KYRID).
In December of 2005, KAD launched the new KyDeaf.org as a one-stop resource site for the Kentucky Deaf Community. Four years later in December 2009, KAD moved KyDeaf.org to a new web host and redesigned the web site.
The Board
Download the Bylaws
Officers
President Sharon White
Sharon D. White was born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. Currently, she resides in Frankfort, Kentucky. She is employed with the Kentucky's Education and Workforce Cabinet Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) as an Administrative Assistant to the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Branch.
Sharon first became involved with Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD) in 2003. While working for the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH). Since 2003, Sharon has been the Secretary and the Treasurer for KAD and now the President. When Sharon first came on board in 2003, she was the first African- American to ever sit on the board in KAD history.
"As the first African-American Female to be part of this strong group of Advocates, I'm blessed to be here", Sharon said. "As your KAD President, my goals for KAD over the next two years will focus on improving the membership and providing more workshops to the community on a variety of issues. By working with other organizations; such as Hands and Voices, KY Adapt, KYRID those are just to name a few. I strongly believe in "Empowerment, Advocacy and Teamwork". As time moves on, so will KAD, we have to keep up with technology that is forever changing. I look forward to working with the new group of leaders within KAD and the future leaders of KAD!"
Sharon is also the newly Elected Secretary for National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA). Sharon first became involved with the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) in 2003 working with an interest group on the establishment of a new chapter in Kentucky. Kentucky Black Deaf Advocates (KYBDA) became the Chapter #31 in 2005 and Sharon was elected as the first President. She is a member of the local Kentucky Black Deaf Advocates (KYBDA) chapter.
Obviously, Sharon is a woman of many talents doing all this in addition to her responsibilities for OVR, KAD and NBDA. Also, Sharon is the mother of 3 children and a grandmother of Lyric, London and Jamez!
--Sharon D. White
president@kydeaf.org
Vice President Arlen Finke
Arlen Finke was born and raised in Minnesota on a dairy farm. At the age of 4 or 5 his parents sold the farm to move to Minneapolis for his deaf education. Arlen attended deaf oral school from kindergarten to 6th grade and then went on to a hearing school from 7th-12th grade (mainstreamed). Arlen graduated from Gallaudet University majoring PE in 1967 and a M.A. in P.E. from Adelphi University in N.Y. His first job teaching P.E. was at Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf in Long Island, NY. In 1973 he taught P.E. at Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD).
For a total of 34 years, he has taught P.E. and Health to deaf children and is now retired since 2001. Arlen enjoys running, biking, walking and volunteering are his interests.
As the Vice President for KAD his goal would be to keep the deaf community informed and updated on KAD activities. Arlen would like to thank you in advance for your trust in his abilities.
--Arlen Finke
vpresident@kydeaf.org
Secretary Rhonda Bodner
Rhonda Bodner your Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD) Secretary. Rhonda was born in Danville, KY and attended KSD in 1965 and graduated KSD in 1978. During High School, she was involved with job experience and she got a job at KSD. Rhonda works at Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) in the Outreach Department for 31 years. Mr. and Mrs. Garland Best encouraged Rhonda to join the Kentucky Association of the Deaf and to be a member. Rhonda has been a KAD member since 2004. Now she is the KAD Secretary. Rhonda would like to see KAD set up for the mini workshops and social for the people to come and join and become a member. She would also like to see the middle age and young age people involve with KAD to continue for carry on from KAD's generations.
--Rhonda Bodner
secretary@kydeaf.org
Treasurer CJ Prater
CJ Prater was born in St. Charles, Missouri. In 1963, she attended Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) in St. Louis, Missouri when she was 18 months old. She attended CID four years until she was transferred in 1967 to Special School for the Deaf in St. Louis County. After attending Special School for two years, CJ was mainstreamed in public school in Jackson, Missouri in 1969. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1981.
CJ attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1981 to 1985 with a degree in Horticulture. Due to health reasons, she made a career change and attended Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri from 1995 to 1998 with a degree in Education. She then received her Master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction in 2004 through the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
CJ has been working at Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) since 2000. She currently teaches high school math. CJ would like to help keep KAD’s financial records in good standing. She also would like to help bring in more young members to KAD for the future in order to help continue supporting the deaf community.
--CJ Prater
treasurer@kydeaf.org
Members
Nina Coyer
Nina is a native of San Diego, California.
She attended Gallaudet University before she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University receiving both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
She taught Kentucky School for the Deaf for 12 years before joining full time as a Tenured Assistant Professor at her alma mater for 14 years. She also taught workshops in a variety of subjects. She is retiring as of July 1, 2011. She teaches all levels of American Sign Language, Deaf Culture and Interpreting classes. She has been involved in various organizations, nationally, statewide and locally. She is now the Chair of the Board of Commissioners at the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
--Nina Coyer
nina@kydeaf.org
David Williams
David R. Williams, Jr. has been teaching full-time ASL classes at Eastern Kentucky University since 2005. Prior to moving to Richmond, KY, he lived in Indiana for many years. David is married to a hearing wife, Sarah, who is a certified interpreter at KSD. He graduated from Indiana School for the Deaf, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University. He currently holds an American Sign Language Teacher Association (ASLTA) certification since 2002.
--David Williams
david@kydeaf.org
Suzanne Mayes
Hi, I'm Suzanne Mayes. I was born in Louisville, KY and entered KSD in 1969 and graudated in 1981. I was elected as the Vice President of Kentucky Black Deaf Advocates (KDBA) and served from 2007 to 2009. I have been a KAD member since September 2009 and now I am serving on the board. I am very interested in being active in supporting our deaf community. I look forward to working with the KAD officers and the board.
--Suzanne Mayes
suzanne@kydeaf.org
Deanna Kuhn
Deanna Kuhn was born and raised in Louisville, Ky. She was born hearing then she became deaf due to an illness with Ruebella when she was 3 years old. Deanna attended the Louisville Deaf Oral School from age 3 to 5. Deanna then attended Tingley Elemantary school. In 1963, Deanna transferred to Kentucky School for the Deaf and graduated in 1972.
During high school she had a job with Summer Aid at US Naval Ordinance Station and continued for 2 years after graduation . She then worked at US Housing and Urban Development. She attended Community Jefferson Technical College for Business. She then worked in various jobs; PNC Mortgage Co., Garden Ridge, Fire Restoration Cleaner for a total of 25 years.
Deanna has been involved with various deaf organizations; Rite of Christian Deaf Initiation, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Citizens Police Academy Class, Senior Citizens for Deaf, ICDA-US Conference and workshops (International Catholic Deaf Association), Midwestern ICDA workshops, Curisillo, MDO Volunteer (Mini Deaf Olypmics), KAD conference, and NAD conference. She is an active member of KAD and she has been active in chapter 14 of the ICDA for 9 years. She has been the office treasuer for the Louisville Catholic Deaf Society for 4 years. She has been involved with various activites among the social deaf community since 1997.
Deanna is the Mother of 3 sons and a Nanny DeDe of 5 grandchildren. She has a 6th grandchild due in October 2011. She babysits 2 of her grandsons, 3 times a week.
She has accepted the responsibility of being a KAD Board member starting June, 2011 . She will do her best to contribute to develop and maintain a strong KAD and she looks forward to working with all Board Members.
--Deanna Kuhn
dee@kydeaf.org
Member At Large
Cole Zulauf
D. Cole Zulauf, NAD and KAD member since 1977, had served several capacities within KAD organization, including President from 1995 to 2001. Also involved with USA Deaf Sports Federation (Deafylmpics) since 1958.
--Cole Zulauf
cole@kydeaf.org
KAD Committees and Chairpersons
Law CommitteeArlen Finke, Chair |
Auditing CommitteeJimmy McGaughey, Chair |
Education Aid CommitteeCarolyn Gulley, Secretary |
Ways and Means*Vacant* |
Necrology CommitteeRhonda Bodner, Chair |
Membership CommitteeRhonda Bodner Suzanne Mayes |
Nominating CommitteeSharon White - Chair for KCDHH Reps
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Awards Committee*Vacant*
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Miss Deaf Kentucky
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Resolution CommitteeInactive |
Newsletter Committee*Vacant* |
Kentucky School for the
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Kentucky Commission on the
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National Assoc of the
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Dept for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Advisory BoardBob Stuckey |
Kentucky Telephone Relay Service Advisory Board*Vacant* |
Kentucky Registry of Interpreters for the DeafSharon White, President Nina Coyer |
Public Relations*Vacant*
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