Since 1909
PRESERVE. PROTECT. PROMOTE.
civil, human, linguistic, DEAF GAINS and RIGHTS of Deaf Kansans.
The Junior NAD, a program of the NAD, offers deaf and hard of hearing students in 7th through 12th grade opportunities to develop leadership skills, learn and demonstrate citizenship, and meet and interact with students from other schools and states. Students can participate in the Junior NAD by joining chapters established by their schools.
Junior NAD chapters focus on advocacy, attitude, awareness, commitment, cooperation, friendship, information exchange, involvement and leadership skills. Chapters have meetings and participate in many activities such as community events and fundraisers. Skills and values obtained by chapter members during these meetings and events will help them to become future leaders and advocates in the deaf and hard of hearing community. For more information: JrNAD
Kansas School for the Deaf has JrNAD chapter - interested to get involved?
Please contact the KSD JrNAD Sponsor.
The NAD Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) is an intensive four-week summer camp program for deaf and hard of hearing high school students. The camp provides leaders the ability to develop their scholarship, leadership, and citizenship (SLC) qualities in nature environment. Leaders experience self-discovery, learn about self-identity, confidence, and self-esteem and understand many things about themselves. NAD YLC is also an extension of the activities and training offered by the Junior NAD, www.nad.org/jrnad.
The camp selects 32 male and 32 female leaders from all over the United States and internationally. The leaders receive donations to cover their application and tuition fees and travel expenses. Community members, including NAD YLC alumni, builders, and guest speakers, are actively involved in this program. Each of them makes a lasting impact on the program.
Hands-on activities offer leaders the opportunity to understand the emphasis on 'learning by doing,' adopting the old Chinese proverb: "Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I'll remember. Involve me, and I'll learn." This dynamic camp program builds character and promotes a lifetime of healthy activities and relationships with others.
This highly popular program has graduated over 2,500 alumni in its 46 years of existence. This, in turn, contributes to a network of successful alumni. Many of these alumni have become successful leaders and advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing community, including businessmen and women, teachers, professors, lawyers, doctors, NAD board members, and employees. NAD YLC is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. For more information: YLC
Established in June 2023, The Kansas Deaf Influencer Pitch 101 (DIP 101) program is a competition for young Deaf adults ages 18 to 30 residing in the state of Kansas. Deaf Kansan contestants will compete against each other to determine who will be the next Kansas DIP Ambassador to attend and compete in the NAD PITCH Competition.
Contestants at the NAD PITCH will compete against each other to pitch the best idea of a social issue, business idea, or a startup concept. The prize money will be invested in your idea. Moreover, the PITCH winner will represent the NAD as an ambassador at presentations, workshops, the Youth Leadership Camp (YLC), and other events within the Deaf community.
Mission: Transform aspiring young Deaf leaders to be innovative advocates through a collaborative community-based competition.
Vision: Achieve civic engagement and social responsibility among young Deaf contestants through an emphasis on visibility, innovation, and sustainability.
History of the Program: From Miss Deaf America Ambassador Program (MDAAP) to Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) to NAD Pitch
During the 2012 NAD Conference, we witnessed a moment in history -- the last Miss Deaf America Ambassador Competition. After forty years, in the fall of 2012, we have unveiled a new and modern program. The new program will not be a pageant. The new program, NAD Pitch, will showcase young Deaf Americans who vie to become ambassadors of NAD.
Interested to be involved with D.I.P. 101? Please contact Jessica Shultz, KAD DIP 101 Coordinator.