National Deaf Freedom Association

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The National Deaf Freedom Association (NDFA) is a non-profit 501(c)4 social welfare organization providing access to legislators at the Federal, State, City/County levels.

The team was formed in 2012 when Michael Gallagher and Sheri Bergman applied for a non-profit organization with the Community Law Center in Baltimore, MD.  Soon thereafter, Eric Albro, Scott Reimer, Michael Bunjer, Scott Walker, and Vicki Lowen joined the team to establish the status with the IRS as a political organization.

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The mission was essentially to provide the Deaf community with political leverage through movements and lobbying, as well as researching to collect data for legislators. 

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Onyx Deaf Movement

Mission:

The Onyx Deaf Movement is in supporting the mission and needs of the black deaf community by amplifying their voices, advocating for equal access and resources, fostering understanding and inclusivity, and actively participating in initiatives aimed at addressing systemic issues and promoting equity. It's essential to recognize and respect the unique experiences and challenges faced by different communities within the broader deaf community and work together

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Vision: 

A vision for the Onyx Deaf Movement could encompass several key goals and principles focused on empowerment, inclusion, and equality. While not an exhaustive or prescriptive list, here are some foundational elements that could guide such a movement:

1. **Accessibility and Equality**: Ensuring that all aspects of public life, including education, healthcare, employment, and legal proceedings, are fully accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. This includes the provision of qualified interpreters, captioning services, and other communication aids in all public institutions and services.

2. **Education and Empowerment**:  Educational systems that support and celebrate deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL), alongside providing resources for life-long learning and professional development. This includes pushing for deaf education programs that meet diverse needs and prepare deaf students for a variety of career paths.

3. **Community and Cultural Recognition**: Promoting the recognition and appreciation of deaf culture and ASL as integral parts of the broader cultural tapestry in any states. This involves supporting deaf arts, literature, and events that highlight the richness of the deaf community's contributions to society.

4. **Healthcare Access and Equity**: Working to eliminate barriers to healthcare for the deaf community, ensuring that medical information and services are accessible and provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. This includes training for healthcare professionals on deaf culture and the specific needs of deaf patients.

5. **Employment Opportunities and Workplace Inclusion**:  Equal employment opportunities for deaf individuals and promoting workplace policies that support diversity and inclusion. This includes providing resources for employers on best practices for hiring and working with deaf employees.

6. **Legal Rights and Advocacy**: Strengthening legal protections for the deaf community, including enforcing and expanding laws related to accessibility and discrimination and establishing robust advocacy and legal support networks to assist deaf individuals in navigating legal challenges.

7. **Community Support and Solidarity**: Building strong networks of support within the deaf community and with allies, focusing on mutual aid, and mentorship. This includes creating spaces for sharing experiences, resources, and strategies for overcoming societal barriers.

8. **Technology and Innovation**: Leveraging technology to improve accessibility and create new opportunities for the deaf community. This involves advocating for the development and adoption of innovative communication technologies that can facilitate greater independence and inclusion.

The realization of such a vision would require collaborative efforts among deaf individuals, allies, organizations, and policymakers. By working together, the Onyx Deaf Movement can drive significant change towards a more inclusive and equitable society for deaf and hard-of-hearing people to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfillment of what our lives should be.

Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die – the dream of freedom and peace 

Rosa Parks

"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right."

Rosa Parks

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Freedom March, Washington, DC-1963

Genuine leaders have the ability to articulate, initiate, and follow-through on their vision.

"IF YOU CAN'T FLY THEN RUN, IF YOU CAN'T RUN THEN WALK, IF YOU CAN'T WALK THEN CRAWL, BUT WHATEVER YOU DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD."

Mat Lil high.

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Deaf Grassroots Movement

 Mission

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Deaf Grassroots Movement, DGM is to inspire those to advocate and create leaders to rise to the occasion and actively push for common-sense solutions with long overdue legislative and systemic changes. DGM is a movement focused on equal access to Communication, Education, and Jobs (CEJ) and any other relevant issues on both the federal and State level, for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community

 Vision

The vision of the Deaf Grassroots Movement is to live without being judged, to advance and protect communication access, to improve the Deaf education system, and to help grow the economic power of the diversity within the Deaf community with the pursuit of liberty, equality, and happiness.

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