About MSAD
Ninety years of showing up
Founded in 1935, the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf is the state's oldest Deaf-led advocacy organization — an affiliate of the National Association of the Deaf, run entirely by volunteers.
Our mission
To preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of Deaf and hard of hearing people across Massachusetts.
Deaf, by our definition, includes everyone who is Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing or late-deafened.
What we do
Advocate
Tracking every bill that touches Deaf lives on Beacon Hill — and telling you when your voice is needed.
On Beacon Hill →
Gather
Socials, workshops, town halls and celebrations across the state — always with ASL access, mostly free.
Events →
Inform
News in ASL first, English second — plus a directory of Deaf-friendly services statewide.
News in ASL →
Nine decades, briefly
1935
Founded
Deaf Bostonians organize a statewide association to fight for employment rights and access — Massachusetts joins the NAD family of state associations.
1975
A new era of advocacy
MSAD incorporates in its modern form and steps up its statewide role — the era our longest-running programs and the MSAD1975 name trace back to.
1978
The awards begin
The first community awards are presented at conference; Miss Deaf Massachusetts sends its first winner to the NAD national pageant.
1985
Honoring service
The Clerc, Gallaudet, Swett and President's awards are established, recognizing Deaf and hearing allies alike — a tradition running every two years since.
2020
Advocacy goes digital
Town halls, board meetings and news move online in ASL — and stay there, making statewide participation possible from anywhere.
Today
Still all-volunteer
Tracking dozens of bills on Beacon Hill, running 40+ events a year, and publishing news signed first — powered entirely by members.
All volunteer, member-run
Nobody here is paid. Everybody here votes.
A member-elected volunteer board runs MSAD, and every full member — $1 a year — votes at meetings and shapes what we fight for. The board serves; the members decide.
Be part of the next ninety years
Deaf, hard of hearing or hearing ally — full membership is a dollar a year, and it comes with a vote.