Organization
Jamaica Association for the Deaf(JAD)
Founded in 1938, the Jamaica Association for the Deaf is one of the oldest disability organisations in the Caribbean, providing education, vocational training, audiological services, and Jamaican Sign Language programmes for the Deaf community. It operates eight schools island-wide alongside a Hearing Clinic offering diagnostic and rehabilitation services.
About
The Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) was established in 1938 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving quality of life for Deaf and hard-of-hearing Jamaicans. Celebrating 85 years of service in 2023, it remains the leading Deaf-focused organisation in the English-speaking Caribbean.
What They Do
JAD operates eight special education schools across Jamaica and a Hearing Clinic offering audiological screening, diagnostic testing, and hearing rehabilitation. Services also include vocational training, school-to-work transition support, Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) instruction, sign language interpretation, and Deaf culture education. Social services extend to advocacy and community outreach.
Who They Serve
JAD serves Deaf and hard-of-hearing Jamaicans from childhood through adulthood, as well as hearing family members and professionals seeking JSL training. Educational programmes reach school-age children, while vocational and social services support working-age adults.
Related Organizations
National Association of the Deaf(NAD)
Silver Spring, MDNationalFounded in 1880, NAD is the oldest and largest organisation of Deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans, advocating for civil, human, and linguistic rights including captioning, Video Relay Service, and the recognition of American Sign Language as a full language.
Disabled-LedDeaf / Hard of HearingAdvocacyHearing Loss Association of America(HLAA)
Bethesda, MDNationalHLAA is the nation's largest consumer organisation for people with hearing loss, primarily serving adults who are hard of hearing (rather than culturally Deaf). HLAA is the leading advocate for hearing loop (audio induction loop) technology in public spaces in the United States.
Mixed LeadershipDeaf / Hard of HearingAdvocacySense
Birmingham, United KingdomNationalSense is the UK's leading charity for people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities, supporting over 23,000 children and adults with specialist care, arts programmes, and expert guidance. Founded in 1955 and headquartered at Touchbase Pears in Birmingham, Sense operates across the UK and campaigns for deafblind rights.
Mixed LeadershipBlind / Low VisionDeaf / Hard of Hearing+1 moreAdvocacy