NAD Partners with DeafNation to Host Deaf Viewpoints: 2008 U.S.
\nPresidential Election <\/p>\n
Posted October 17, 2008 <\/p>\n
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) partnered with DeafNation
\nto host the first-ever \u201cDeaf Viewpoints: 2008 U.S. Presidential
\nElection\u201d debate, taped at the NAD headquarters in Silver Spring,
\nMaryland. <\/p>\n
Nancy J. Bloch, NAD chief executive officer, was asked by DeafNation
\nto serve as neutral, nonpartisan moderator for the debate, which
\nfeatured four individuals who gave their viewpoints about U.S.
\npresidential candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama.
\nThe NAD, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not endorse,
\nsupport, or oppose any candidate for public office. Bloch presented
\nquestions and responses were provided by Robert Traina and Michael
\nClegg in favor of McCain, and by Jeff Rosen and Liz Stone in favor of
\nObama. <\/p>\n
Discussion was lively and covered a wide range of topics that
\nincluded captioning access to campaign ads and videos, enforcement of
\nthe Americans with Disabilities Act, hiring of deaf and hard of
\nhearing people to work for the federal government, judicial balance
\nwithin the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. ratification of the United Nations
\nConvention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, affordable and
\naccessible broadband services, and impact of the current economic and
\nfinancial crisis. <\/p>\n
Joel Barish, president of DeafNation, said \u201cWe are thrilled to be
\nable to partner with the NAD to host this first-ever debate on U.S.
\npresidential candidates from the perspective of deaf citizens.\u201d
\nBloch added, \u201cWe at the NAD are pleased to work with DeafNation to
\nbring about greater awareness of issues of national importance and
\nencourage deaf and hard of hearing Americans to exercise their right
\nto vote on Election Day.\u201d <\/p>\n
The debate video can be viewed by visiting http:\/\/www.deafnation.com
\n. The NAD also has voter information on its website,
\nhttp:\/\/www.nad.org\/Vote2008
\n. <\/p>\n
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About NAD <\/p>\n
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was established in 1880 by
\ndeaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community
\nto use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and
\nto have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs
\nremain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.
\nAs a nonprofit federation, the mission of the NAD is to preserve,
\nprotect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf
\nand hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The
\nadvocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering the breadth of a lifetime
\nand impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention,
\neducation, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications,
\nyouth leadership, and more. For more information, please visit<\/p>\n