Indiana Association of the Deaf

05/30/2026

Happy Birthday to Geoffrey, our Director of Advocacy! 🎉

Your commitment to standing up for the Deaf community makes a difference every day. Let’s wish Geoffrey the happiest of birthdays!

Image Description: A white man with glasses and a short beard, wearing a black IAD polo shirt, stands against a blue background. A yellow crown doodle is above his head. White text on a dark blue box reads: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEOFFREY.”

05/23/2026

Did you vote in the 2026 Indiana Primary Election? Or choose not to vote?

Our Director of Advocacy, Geoffrey Bignell, is gathering feedback about voting accessibility and access to election information within Indiana’s Deaf community. Whether you voted or not, your input matters and will help guide future advocacy efforts.

Take the survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdolPJrP1AwR1uZjwtUVJ4h6tmLjDeX3Utqd2pC4HYev6u-g/viewform

Please take a few minutes to participate and share this survey with other Deaf Hoosiers across Indiana.

Why this survey is important? Indiana Association of the Deaf (IAD) is collecting reports from Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind voters about their experience at 2026 Indiana Primary Election's polling places. Your responses help us identify gaps in communication and advocate for change. Your pri...

05/07/2026

This is amazing! One of our own Deaf Hoosiers, Jen Harbaugh, was recognized as a part of the Deaf Artist Leadership cohort from March 2026 to November 2027! When you see Jen around, be sure to congratulate her! We could not be any prouder of our own Deaf leaders!

Introducing the Deaf Arts Leadership Cohort 2026-27

We have something exciting to share with you all! From all over the United States, six people were selected as the inaugural Deaf Arts Leadership cohort from March 2026 to November 2027. Here's the selected candidates below. Please follow their social media and support their future endeavors.

-Kevin Abrams
-Joey Antonio
-Joshua Castille
-Jennifer Harbaugh
-Naima Johnson
-Daniel Katz-Hernandez

Visit our website to read more about the cohort, their proposed projects and bios: DeafArtsLeadership.org

Deaf Arts Leadership (DAL) is a new pilot program by Urban Jazz Dance Company and Deaf Spotlight. DAL aims to increase the pool of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing leaders in the arts and culture sector across the United States. Many thanks to the Borealis Philanthropy Disability Inclusion Fund for supporting this project.

ID: Flyer for Deaf Arts Leadership Cohort 2026-2027, with six headshots grouped together on top and text below: “Kevin Abrams, Joey Antonio, Joshua Castille, Jennifer Harbaugh, Naima Johnson, and Daniel Katz-Herandez”. Logos for Borealis Philanthropy, Urban Jazz Dance Company, and Deaf Spotlight across the bottom, with the website below: DeafArtsLeadership.org

05/07/2026

Happy Interpreter Appreciation Day! We celebrate this day in recognition of interpreters’ hard work for making communication possible. Thank you!



Image description: A text on top reads May 6, 2026, featuring a gold sign language symbol in an ornate frame on a teal background, with text saying “Happy Interpreter Appreciation Day!” The bottom text thanks interpreters for making communication possible, with the IAD’s logo centered at the bottom.

05/06/2026

Happy interpreter appreciation day! Thank you for all you do!

05/05/2026

We only have a few spots left! Sign up today before they are gone!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBL_Mg6bzMD6S8PyLL33Q8WlKzt2bD9KfSt1pjYJUeKw42VQ/viewform

Looking to learn American Sign Language? IAD is offering a beginner-friendly ASL 101 course this spring, designed for those new to the language in a supportive, virtual environment.

Two session options are available:

Session 1
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 PM ET
Starting May 19

Session 2
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 PM ET
Starting May 20

This 8-week program meets for 2 hours per week and is held virtually via Zoom.

Cost: $250 for the full course

For questions, contact Joanna Witulski at outreach@iadhoosiers.org.

Click to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBL_Mg6bzMD6S8PyLL33Q8WlKzt2bD9KfSt1pjYJUeKw42VQ/viewform

05/03/2026

The moment is here. Gala tickets are officially live ✨

Our 140th Anniversary Gala website is now live as well. You can now explore full details, including ticket options, pricing, and what each experience includes.

There are only 170 seats available, with about 20 already claimed, so we encourage you to secure your spot early.

Join us on December 5, 2026 for a night 140 years in the making.

Reserve your seats here: www.gala.iadhoosiers.org !

We cannot wait to celebrate with you! 💛💙

05/02/2026

Tomorrow. The theme is revealed.

“The Gilded Age”

An evening inspired by elegance, detail, and history. Join us as we celebrate 140 years of IAD. Tickets go live TOMORROW, May 3!



ID: Dark navy background with gold corner accents and the IAD logo at the top. Text reads “THE THEME HAS ARRIVED.” A gold chandelier is centered. Below it reads “The Gilded Age.” Bottom text reads “TICKETS GOES LIVE TOMORROW, MAY 3.”