Organizer Profile
American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA)

American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA)

Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America

The American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) is a national organization that brings together professionals from vocational rehabilitation, mental health, chemical health, education, interpreting, and related fields to share best practices in working with individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to address policy and program concerns, and to network. Our goal is to improve the lives of those they serve while growing professionally.

ADARA was founded on May 25, 1966 (originally as ​Professionals Rehabilitation Workers with the Adult Deaf [PRWAD]). The name change from PRWAD to the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) took place at the San Antonio meeting in 1977. Click here for more information on ADARA's history.

Mission:
Their mission is to facilitate excellence in human service delivery with individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This mission is accomplished by enhancing the professional competencies of the membership, expanding opportunities for networking among ADARA colleagues and supporting positive public policies for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. In achieving the mission, ADARA members are committed to: full access for members to all aspects of the organization's business, including Board matters, conference planning, presentations and journal publications, recognizing and affirming the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of the membership, and fostering an inclusive language community through the use of American Sign Language, signed communication, and other communication strategies used by all members at ADARA events in order to strive for barrier-free communication.
CONFERENCES AND COURSES