Established in 1940, the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) is the oldest national disabled persons organization in Canada. Composed entirely of Deaf people, its mandate is to protect and promote the rights, needs, and concerns of the Deaf community.

The CAD combines the purposes of a research and information centre, an advisory council, a representative association, a self-help society, and a community action organization. It has a structure of affiliation with nearly 50 organizations of and for the Deaf at the local, provincial, regional, national, and international levels.

In the early years of the Canadian Association of the Deaf (1940-1975), attention was focused upon educational access, leading to the creation of the Canadian Deaf Education Fund. During the next twenty years of growth (1975-1995), CAD activities promoted equality issues. Since 1995, the CAD has targeted dramatic programs to generate new jobs and educational opportunities for Deaf Canadians.

Download Adobe Acrobat here.