Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc.

🌟PLEASE VOTE FOR US!!!🌟

Hey! Want to support LAD? You can! HOW? Give Back Weekend is here! This weekend, we have a great opportunity to raise funds, and we need YOUR help! VOTE and WE get $1 for EACH vote!

From now until midnight on Sunday, Dec 10th, MyGivingCircle will donate $1 to the Louisiana Association of the Deaf for every NEW supporter who votes for us!

That's right, every new voter = $1 and the sky's the limit!
💰 Imagine the Impact: 200 new voters = $200 for LAD! 💰

Here's how you can help:

1️⃣ If you haven't voted for us before, please take a moment to vote at mygivingcircle.org/louisiana-association-of-the-deaf-dba-deaf-focus/vote Be sure to put us in position #1 on the voting form!

2️⃣ If you've already voted, you can still make a huge impact. Share this post with your friends and family, and encourage them to vote for the Louisiana Association of the Deaf too!

Let's make Give Back Weekend a huge success and show what our incredible community can achieve together.
VOTE and SHARE AWAY!!!

Thank you for helping us create positive change. 🙌

Vote for Louisiana Association of the Deaf dba Deaf Focus to share a Guaranteed Grant Each year we give away $500,000

A portion of proceeds go to support our work! Thank you to Mimosa Handcrafted! Y’all rock! 🤟

Congratulations to our November Students of the Month! Way to go, War Eagles! 🦅 🥳

LAD Board President, Sherry Crosby, sorting out the donated toys for the kids this coming holiday. We’ve received requests for 100+ kids! Our Toy Drive is ongoing until December 15th!

LAD’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive

Join us in spreading some holiday cheers for the children of our community. We are doing our Toy Drive again this year to assist disadvantaged families give their Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing children, aged 12 and under, the gift of the warm Christmas spirit they all deserve as kids.

FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDssnKdxgpB2ajFfwYf4dEQoaQBnCPvQAfz6R0YdW5X_CJHQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

We are accepting Toys, Gift Cards, and Cash donations.
DEADLINE: December 15

Donations can be either sent or dropped off at LAD’s office during business hours:
LAD
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

We accept donations on the Givebutter platform, and you may use the QR code to do so. We are also accepting donations through Venmo at

Contact our Chairperson, Cheryl Edgerson, for more information at [email protected]

Friends,

Two years ago, the Louisiana Association of the Deaf embarked on a momentous journey by taking over Deaf Focus. Today, we celebrate this anniversary with immense pride and heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to serve our vibrant and resilient Deaf community.

When I first stepped into this role, I was filled with a profound sense of purpose and determination, driven by an unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of our community. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of our advocacy, and I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to have played a part in shaping a more inclusive and equitable world for our Deaf brothers and sisters. Yet, there is a ton more of work to do!

As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, I am filled with optimism and excitement for LAD’s future. We have a bold vision for the years ahead, one that is rooted in competency, collaboration, and a deep commitment to ensuring that every Deaf individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential in a sustainable Deaf ecosystem.

I am deeply indebted to the support of our Board of Directors, our passionate staff, our dedicated contractors, and our generous donors. It is through their collective efforts that we have achieved such remarkable success. Yet, our journey is far from over. By upholding our shared values and fostering a deeper sense of purpose, we must continue to empower one another and strengthen our commitment to LAD's vital role in our Louisiana community. Remember, together, we are a force to be reckoned with, and our united voice holds the potential to make a profound impact.

To our Deaf community, we are committed to continuing to advocate for you, empower you, and create a world where you are fully included and valued. As we move into 2024, let us all renew our commitment to the mission to create a world where every Deaf individual has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Sincerely,
Jay Isch
Executive Director,
Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc.

DRC’s Food Pantry available for residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. Bring your own bags or boxes to pick up. They have fresh fruit too!

Today is… !

Your generosity-ensure our advocacy for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing community continues. Thank you!

You may donate using the QR Code below, or via Venmo at , or directly on our campaign’s website at www.givebutter.com/LADeaf1908, or send a check/money order to our office at:
Louisiana Association of the Deaf or LAD
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

The L*D War Eagle family is GROWING, so we need more teachers and staff! Interested in joining our incredible team of educators and staff? Apply now at tinyurl.com/L*DCareers 🦅

A bittersweet retirement for Dr. David J. Hylan after 37 years at The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center in Shreveport.

Adobe Acrobat - PSA - Hylan Retirement .pdf View this file, and add comments too.

Our office will be closed for the rest of the week. We will re-open on Monday, November 27th, at 9 AM.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Learn about

Congratulations to the elected officers of BRAD!
President - Tim Martin
Vice President - David Medero
Secretary - vacant (Walker to serve as interim)
Treasurer - Norman Walker
Member at Large - Marguerite Byrd, Gary Ragsdale and Dustin Cutrer.

Good Afternoon War Eagles Nation!

We have another home game today and also we have something else new for you! We now offer season ticket package priced at $30 for home games only for the entire basketball season! Check out the link, https://gofan.co/app/school/LA67912 to purchase basketball season ticket or a $5 general admission to today's game against Grace Christian Warriors with the girls at 5pm and the boys at 6pm!
Come and cheer our War Eagles on!



Louisiana War Eagles Athletics

GoFan - The largest high school ticketing solution in the U.S.

Supporting the school's efforts to re-establish the Jr. NAD program and Student Body Government. We look forward to the continued collaboration with the Louisiana School for the Deaf.

Our students were incredibly excited for the resurgence of our Student Body Government and Jr. National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD). Today they had their first meeting, thanks to sponsors Nigel Burkhalter, Amy Jarrett, and Harvey Nathanson for facilitating! Special thanks to the Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc. board members who came to help kick off our Jr. NAD efforts! 🤟🏼🎉

EMDAC's Lunch and Learn

Accessible Emergency Information presented by Dan Heller of DeafLink Communications

Wednesday, November 15 from 12pm to 1pm

Register at: https://bit.ly/EMDAC-accessinfo

It's that time of the year again!

Join LAD’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive as we spread some holiday cheer for the children of our community. We are doing our Toy Drive to assist disadvantaged families in giving their Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing children, aged 12 and under, the gift of the warm Christmas spirit they all deserve as kids.

APPLY FOR TOYS FOR A CHILD - FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDssnKdxgpB2ajFfwYf4dEQoaQBnCPvQAfz6R0YdW5X_CJHQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

We are accepting Toys, Gift Cards, and Cash donations. For electronic donations, you may donate using either, our QR code on the attached flyer, or through Venmo to

DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS: December 15

Toy and/or Cash Donations can be either sent to or dropped off at our office during business hours, 9 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday:
Louisiana Association of the Deaf
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

For more information, please get in touch with our Chairperson, Cheryl Edgerson, at [email protected]

Annual Christmas Toy Drive

DOTD urges motorists to drive with caution during particularly rainy or inclement weather.

Rainfall following the prolonged drought conditions Louisiana has experienced may result in slick roadways.

Click here for driving safety tips: https://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=34258

TROOP B TRAFFIC ADVISORY

***I-55 Has Re-opened***

The repairs are complete and all lanes of I-55 North and South are open. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)

Are you 45+ years old with a disability? Please take our brief survey or participate in a focus group! Your participation will help a large nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for older adults to better understand your experiences and support the needs of older adults with disabilities.

About this project: https://innivee.com/aginganddisabilityneedsassessment/
Survey: https://innivee.typeform.com/agingsurvey

Sign up for a focus group: https://innivee.typeform.com/FocusGroups

Image description: Four diverse individuals are smiling, two are seated, and two are standing. They are in front of a computer monitor in a brightly lit office setting.

Tell us about Your Aging and Disability Experience! - Innivee Strategies Are you aged 45+ with a hearing, vision, and/or mobility disability? Participate in this needs assessment today!

Honoring all those who served. Happy Veterans’ Day!

Representing LAD at the City of New Orleans’ ARPA Implementation Advisory Council.

Public Statement - November 8, 2023

Yesterday, on November 7, 2023, our appeal regarding Mary Smith, individually and on behalf of concerned members of the Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc. v. Jimmy Gore, was presented to the First Circuit Louisiana Court of Appeals in Baton Rouge for argument on the appeal of the trial court’s ruling in the 19th Judicial District Court.

The Court of Appeals will review the ruling from Judge Trudy White which was in favor of Mary Smith. LAD’s attorneys disagreed with Judge White’s ruling and filed this appeal on behalf of LAD. During the appeal process, each side had an opportunity to submit their arguments to the Court of Appeal in writing in advance and then had an opportunity to appear in front of three (3) Judges to present their case. The three Judges that will decide the appeal are Judge Mitchell Theriot, Judge Allison Penzato, and Judge Hunter Green.

Judge White misinterpreted the law when she ruled that members had a right to hold a special meeting to remove an officer of LAD. The law clearly states that if LAD’s bylaws say how an officer can be removed, then the bylaws are the rules of the organization. Under LAD’s bylaws, only the members of the elected Board have the authority to remove an officer, an officer cannot be removed by the members at a special meeting called by the members.

There were a few other procedural arguments on why Judge White was incorrect, and these were presented to the Court of Appeals judges as well. They will make their decision in writing and this process may take a few months. Once LAD receives the Court of Appeals’ decision, it will be available for you to read.

We sincerely appreciate your support as we continue to work on your behalf.

Thank you,
LAD Board of Directors

LAD Public Statement - 11/8/2023 [TRANSCRIPT]: Public Statement - November 8, 2023 Yesterday, on November 7, 2023, our appeal regarding Mary Smith, individually and on behalf of concerned me...

Please welcome these three new team members to the War Eagles! 🦅 We are excited to have more people to join the learning fun!

Just for laughs.

Sunday Funnies… 😁