NVAD provides social, leadership, and advocacy opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
individuals and their families in Northern Virginia — promoting civil rights, accessibility, and
community belonging since 1945.
NVAD provides social, leadership, and advocacy opportunities for Deaf and Hard
of Hearing individuals and their families across Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William
County — promoting civil rights, accessibility, and community belonging.
🤝
Community & Culture
Regular gatherings, social events, and cultural celebrations that connect our community and
honor Deaf heritage.
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Advocacy & Access
We advocate for equal access to services, interpreters, and accommodations across Northern
Virginia.
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Education & Resources
Connecting community members with educational resources, ASL instruction, and support
services.
May
9
NVAD General Meeting & Bingo Game
Saturday, May 9, 2026 · 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM · Northern Virginia Resource Center, 10467 White Granite Drive, Suite 312, Oakton, VA 22124. Bingo game with $5 entry — pay at the door. Please bring your own lunch and drink.
Founded in 1945 as a chapter of the Virginia Association of the Deaf, NVAD has
served Northern Virginia's Deaf community for over eight decades. In 2025, we
completed our journey to independent nonprofit status, earning our own 501(c)(3) recognition — a
milestone reflecting decades of community dedication. Read our full history →
Access & Inclusion
A Community for Every Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individual
Whether you use ASL, are oral, wear hearing aids, or have a cochlear implant — NVAD welcomes everyone in the Northern Virginia Deaf and hard of hearing community.
We champion equal access to services, accommodations, and opportunities so that every member of our community can fully participate in civic and social life.
Our mission, history, leadership, and the community we serve.
Mission Statement
Full Mission Statement
The Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf (NVAD) provides social, leadership, and
advocacy opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and their families in
the Northern Virginia region, while promoting civil rights, accessibility, and community
belonging.
NVAD serves the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community across Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun,
and Prince William County. Core activities include social events, fundraisers, community
advocacy, and civic engagement in the ASL community.
NVAD is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in partnership with the
Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD) and other allied organizations. We welcome Deaf
individuals, Hard of Hearing individuals, CODAs, ASL users, family members, and hearing
advocates to our community.
Note: The board is
finalizing the official board-approved mission statement wording for all public-facing
content.
Relationship With VAD
NVAD was founded as a chapter of the Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD) in 1945.
In 2025, NVAD became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NVAD now
functions as an independent nonprofit in partnership with VAD
rather than as a formal chapter. VAD continues to list the NVAD board on its
website, and both organizations collaborate closely on statewide Deaf advocacy.
NVAD's NTEE classification is W01 — Alliance/Advocacy Organizations.
Organizational History
Our Story Since 1945
1945
NVAD founded as the Northern Virginia chapter of the Virginia
Association of the Deaf, one of the first regional Deaf organizations in the
Commonwealth.
1960s–80s
Expansion of community programs, social events, and sports leagues
serving the growing Northern Virginia Deaf community.
1990s–2000s
Deepened advocacy work alongside VAD, NVRC, and VDDHH; grew
partnerships with interpreting agencies and local schools.
2010s
Expanded digital outreach, launched new membership programs, and
began the process of organizational independence.
2025
NVAD receives independent 501(c)(3) status from the IRS — a major
milestone. EIN: 54-1448057.
Documents
Learn More About NVAD
Download official NVAD documents for more information about our organization.
NVAD is governed by a volunteer board of directors elected by the
membership.
TL
Tim Lavelle
President
JC
Joan Corley
Vice President
PD
Peggy Daniels
Secretary
RG
Robert Goodwin
Treasurer
RA
Sharon Ellis
Member at Large
LD
Laurie Dowling
Member at Large
JD
Joe Duarte
Member at Large
Board listing reflects the 2023–2025 term as recorded on the VAD
website. The 2025–2027 board roster will be confirmed and updated following the annual election.
Interested in serving? Learn about board nominations
→
NVAD will provide charcoal, fluid, strawberry dessert, plates, and utensils.
RSVP to Joan Corley at nvadvicepresident@gmail.com by Friday, June 12, 2026 — let her know what dish you'll bring to avoid duplicates.
In the event that NVAD cancels the Strawberry Festival due to bad weather, watch for announcement via email and NVAD Facebook.
SocialFundraiser$5 Entry
Sep
TBD
NVRC Celebrate Communication Fair
📍 NVRC, Oakton VA | Date TBD — typically September
Annual community fair hosted by NVRC celebrating Deaf awareness month. NVAD
participates each year with outreach tabling and community engagement.
AnnualDeaf Awareness Month
Nov
TBD
Holiday Party & Fundraiser
📍 Location TBD | Typically November–December
NVAD's annual holiday celebration and fundraiser. A community tradition featuring
food, fellowship, and support for NVAD's programs.
FundraiserSocial
Past Events
Community Recaps
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80th Anniversary Celebration (2025)
NVAD marked its 80th anniversary with a community social and milestone celebration. A
proud moment for our organization and the Northern Virginia Deaf community.
NVAD regularly hosts workshops on civil rights, ADA topics, self-advocacy, and
community safety in partnership with NVRC and dLCV.
Looking for more community events? Visit the Northern Virginia Resource Center
(NVRC) community calendar at nvrc.org/happenings · or join the
Northern Virginia Deaf Community and Northern Virginia ASL
Community Facebook groups for ongoing event announcements.
Join the Community
Get Involved
Become a member, volunteer, or serve on our board.
Membership
Become a Member
NVAD welcomes membership from: Deaf individuals, Hard of Hearing individuals,
CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), ASL users (hearing), family members, and
hearing advocates who support our mission.
Membership connects you with the community, gives you voting rights at annual
meetings, and keeps you informed about events and advocacy.
Membership — All except Students
Active Member | Valid until April 30, 2027
$15
College Student Membership
All College Students Qualify | Valid until April 30, 2027
Board elections are held annually
at the NVAD Annual Meeting. Any member in good standing may be nominated.
Self-nominations are welcome. Contact the current board for nomination forms and
deadlines.
Whether you're fresh out of school, navigating your twenties, or just looking for a community that gets it — this corner of NVAD is for you. We're building a space where young Deaf and hard of hearing adults can socialize, grow, and take ownership of what comes next. No formality required. ASL welcome. Show up as you are.
📅 Events
Upcoming Young Adults Events
Events tagged for the Young Adults community will appear here. Check back soon — more coming.
🗓️
No upcoming Young Adults events listed yet. Follow us on Instagram or join the Discord to be the first to know.
🎉 Flagship Event
The Deaf Mixer
Our Signature Young Adults Social
A low-key, high-energy gathering designed for making real connections. No agenda, no presentations. Just good people, ASL, and a space to be yourself. Location and format rotate to keep things fresh. Sign up to get notified when the next one drops.
🔔 Notify Me
☕ Monthly Meetups
ASL Socials
Every month we gather casually — coffee shops, parks, bowling alleys, wherever works. These are informal, ASL-first hangouts open to Deaf, hard of hearing, and ASL-using young adults. No RSVP required, but add yourself to the list and we'll send you reminders before each one.
Events, mixers, and community updates delivered directly to you. No spam — just the good stuff.
Separate from the main NVAD list. Unsubscribe anytime.
Support Our Community
Donate to NVAD
Your gift supports Deaf community programs, events, and advocacy in Northern Virginia.
NVAD is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are
tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
EIN: 54-1448057
501(c)(3) status
recognized: 2025 | Commonwealth of Virginia nonprofit
One-Time Gift
Support Our Community
Your donation directly supports NVAD's social activities, events, and community programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and their families in Northern Virginia. Every contribution — no matter the size — makes a difference.
Tax Deductibility Notice
NVAD (Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit
organization. EIN: 54-1448057. Our 501(c)(3) status was recognized by the
IRS in 2025. Contributions to NVAD are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please
consult your tax advisor. A donation acknowledgment letter will be provided for gifts of
$250 or more.
Other Ways to Give
Mail a Check
Make checks payable to
Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf and mail to:
Northern Virginia Association of
the Deaf c/o NVRC 10467 White Granite Drive, Suite 312 Oakton, VA 22124
Verify Our Status
Nonprofit Transparency
NVAD's 501(c)(3) status and EIN can be
verified through the following public registries:
Organizations we collaborate with to serve the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
About NVAD's Independent Status: In 2025, NVAD became an independent
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — not a chapter or affiliate of any national group.
NVAD operates in partnership with the Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD) and other
regional organizations. VAD continues to list NVAD's board on its website. NVAD's
independence allows it to focus directly on the Northern Virginia community while
maintaining collaborative relationships across the Deaf and Hard of Hearing advocacy
network.
Virginia Association of the Deaf
VAD
NVAD's founding parent organization, based in Fairfax, VA. VAD promotes, protects,
and preserves the rights and quality of life of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals
in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VAD still lists the NVAD board on its website and
collaborates closely with NVAD on statewide advocacy.
Empowering deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families through education,
advocacy, and community involvement. NVAD co-hosts events at NVRC facilities,
including the annual Celebrate Communication Fair. NVRC provides ASL classes,
workshops, accessible meeting space, and interpreting services.
10467 White Granite
Dr, Suite 312, Oakton, VA 22124 · (703) 352-9055 · info@nvrc.org
A Virginia state agency that removes barriers to effective communication so that
persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing can fully participate in programs and
services throughout the Commonwealth. Provides interpreter coordination, assistive
technology, community outreach specialists, and emergency preparedness resources.
Opening the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information,
education, support, and advocacy. NVRC co-participates in HLAA's Walk4Hearing event,
and NVAD and NVRC community members frequently cross-participate in HLAA programs.
Advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy,
training, and education. dLCV is Virginia's federally designated Protection &
Advocacy organization. They present workshops on disability rights and self-advocacy
in collaboration with NVRC and community groups including NVAD.
Ensures deafblind individuals achieve maximum independence, productivity, and integration through advocacy, awareness, and support across Virginia. Adjacent advocacy group with overlapping interests in accessibility and shared policy goals.
A senior community program focused on providing ASL-accessible social connection and engagement for Deaf individuals and families in the Northern Virginia and DC Metro area. Member bases frequently overlap with NVAD events and community gatherings.
VBRDSG
Virginia Blue Ridge Deaf Senior Group
VA Blue Ridge Deaf Senior Group
Provides social connection, support, and community engagement specifically for Deaf seniors in the Blue Ridge / Western Virginia region. Shares demographic interests around aging Deaf populations and potential collaboration on statewide senior programming.
VSDAA
Virginia State Deaf Athletic Association
VSDAA
Promotes and organizes athletic opportunities and community engagement for Deaf individuals across Virginia, often tied to alumni networks and Deaf institutions. Community crossover with NVAD through shared members and intersecting events.
Provides educational and residential services supporting the unique abilities and development of Deaf and blind students in Staunton, VA. A foundational institution feeding into the adult Deaf community — many NVAD members are alumni or connected families.
Northern Virginia Deaf Community
Group · Northern Virginia ASL Community Group
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Communication Access
We accept video messages, VP calls,
and ASL-interpreted correspondence. Contact us to arrange accessible
communication.
NVAD is a volunteer-led nonprofit. Response times may vary. For urgent accessibility
accommodations, please indicate in your subject line.
Send a Message
Contact Form
Our Commitment
Accessibility Statement
NVAD is committed to full accessibility for all community members.
NVAD is a Deaf-led organization. Accessibility is not an afterthought — it is central to
who we are. We are committed to ensuring that our programs, website, events, and
communications are accessible to all members of our community.
♿
Web Accessibility (WCAG)
NVAD's website aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as published by the World Wide Web Consortium
(W3C). We work to ensure that our site is perceivable, operable, understandable, and
robust for all users, including those using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or
other assistive technologies.
If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our website,
please contact us so we can address them promptly. We are committed to continuous
improvement of our digital accessibility.
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ASL Interpretation Policy
As a Deaf-led organization, American Sign Language (ASL) is our primary language. Most NVAD members use ASL, and meetings are typically conducted without interpreters unless there is a specific need.
For NVAD-hosted events and meetings:
Events are primarily conducted in ASL.
When hearing presenters are invited to deliver official presentations to Deaf audiences, qualified ASL interpreters will be arranged in advance as a standard practice.
If hearing individuals plan to attend ASL-based meetings, advance notice is requested so that arrangements can be made for accessibility, including volunteer voicing services when available.
Requests for interpreters at community meetings or advocacy activities will be accommodated to the best of our ability with sufficient notice.
ASL-accessible video announcements are provided for major events and news.
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Alternative Formats
NVAD materials, announcements, and documents are available in alternative formats
upon request, including:
Large print versions of printed materials
Electronic / digital accessible versions (PDF with
text)
Video content with captions (open or closed captions)
ASL video versions of key announcements and program information
To request a document in an alternative format, contact us
at least 5 business days in advance of need when possible.
📞
Contact for Accommodations
To request an accessibility accommodation, an ASL interpreter, materials in an
alternative format, or to report an accessibility issue:
We accept email,
video messages, and VP calls. Please indicate "Accommodation Request" in your
subject line. We will respond within 3 business days.
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Ongoing Commitment
NVAD reviews and updates this accessibility statement regularly. We are committed to
working with our community to identify and remove barriers. This statement was last
reviewed in 2025.
Feedback on our accessibility practices is always welcome
and helps us improve.
NVAD — Silver Adults
For young seniors, future seniors, active seniors, and everything in between — Silver Adults is the space in NVAD where Deaf and hard of hearing members of all ages and energy levels come together.
Whether you're in your early 50s and just getting started, an active 70-something who still hikes on weekends, or someone who'd rather have coffee and good conversation — Silver Adults is your space. We're not just one kind of senior. We're young seniors, seniors-to-be, athletic seniors, non-athletic seniors, and all the in-betweens. ASL welcome. All are encouraged to show up.
📅 Activities
Upcoming Silver Adults Activities
Activities planned by and for our Silver Adults community — across all energy levels and interests. Check back soon — more coming.
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No upcoming Silver Adults activities listed yet. Have an idea? Use the form below to suggest one!
🌟 Community Activities
What We Do Together
From hiking groups and pickup sports to bingo nights, group lunches, and holiday celebrations — Silver Adults brings together Deaf members of all activity levels. Whether you're always on the go or prefer something low-key and social, there's a place for you here. Your ideas and energy drive what this community becomes.
What to expect
🤟 ASL-friendly environment📍 Northern Virginia locations🏃 Active & laid-back options♟️ Games & social outings🍽️ Group lunches & dinners🎉 Holiday celebrations💸 Low or no cost
💡 Your Ideas
Suggest an Activity
Have an idea for a gathering, outing, or activity — athletic, social, casual, or anything in between? We'd love to hear it. Silver Adults is shaped by the community, so reach out and let us know what you have in mind.
