Our Mission
What is CAD?
The Association is a membership organization with voting and nonvoting members and shall be open to all subgroups within the Deaf Community without discrimination. We believe that the acquisition and use of American Sign Language is an essential human right, and operate as such.
The Association is a nonprofit member organization consisted of volunteers from local communities in California. Individual members have voting privileges at the Board of Directors meetings and at the Biennial Conference. The Association is open to all groups within the Deaf community without discrimination, and individuals may serve in any appointed positions or on any committees.
Anyone can become a member. More info here!
We protect your rights as a Deaf person, as well as advocate for issues that affect the general Deaf population. Contact us for more information how we can help!
Who We Are
Meet Current CAD Officers & Team

Kavita Pipalia, M.P.A.
president@cad1906.org

Jermaine Cornish
vicepresident@cad1906.org

Deanne Bray
secretary@cad1906.org

Dodi Ellis
treasurer@cad1906.org

Sharon Gough
members@cad1906.org

Alexis Bravo
youth@cad1906.org

Vacant
northcadrep@cad1906.org

Vacant
centralcadrep@cad1906.org

Mingchen Yang
southcadrep@cad1906.org

Sulghi Hong
headtrustee@cad1906.org

Doug Sampson
trustee@cad1906.org

Denise Sidansky
trustee2@cad1906.org
Current Standing Committees

Roberto Cabrera & Kavita Pipalia
employment@cad1906.org

Keith Gamache, Jr
ongoingqualityasl@cad1906.org

Marla Hatrak
langpolicy@cad1906.org

Neil Sprouse
bylaws@cad1906.org

Maria Monte de Rey
mediachair@cad1906.org

Neil Sprouse
mediavicechair@cad1906.org
Current Task Forces

Vacant
interpretingtf@cad1906.org

Richard Ray
edptatf@cad1906.org

Kay Vincent
seniorcitizenstf@cad1906.org

Roberto Cabrera
deafblindtf@cad1906.org

Sheli Barber
mentalhealthtf@cad1906.org

Noel King
mentalhealthtf2@cad1906.org
Key Focus Areas
CAD believes that accessible education of all Deaf children is critical to the development of mind, body, and spirit. This includes support of an educational philosophy that will recognize and honor ASL and Deaf Culture, and provide the most accessible language-rich educational environments, especially the California Schools for the Deaf, day schools for the Deaf, regional programs for the Deaf and large mainstream programs.
CAD will serve as a watchdog for legislation and court proceedings and provide input on state policies as they relate to Deaf people and Signed Languages.
CAD recognizes American Sign Language (ASL) as the most accessible and natural language of and for the Deaf in America and therefore supports all activities that will preserve, honor, and promote ASL and Deaf Culture.
CAD acknowledges that employment opportunities for Deaf Californians are still limited due to discrimination. There is much work to be done to improve the economic status of Deaf people. CAD will support the development of innovative employment opportunities by working with appropriate state and local agencies to improve entry into a wider variety of careers. CAD also supports and celebrates Deaf entrepreneurs who own their own business.
CAD acknowledges that there is a growing variety of communication systems, including telecommunications, and tools available to empower the Deaf individuals with their day-to-day activities. Therefore, CAD will work with individuals and agencies to ensure that they provide the highest quality service, maintain trust and respect deaf peoples’ preference for communication access.
CAD is engaged in public relations to show Deaf people of all walks in life in a positive light. CAD also maintains a vigorous role in referring and aiding advocacy programs for Deaf people’s rights in the state of California. CAD works closely with the California Coalition of Agencies Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing. CAD also works collaboratively with Deaf agencies and programs such as DeafHope and Bay Area Black Deaf Advocates (BBABDA).
CAD will provide referrals to various organizations throughout the state that exist to provide services, as well as other types of support, for Deaf Californians.
CAD will work closely with local/statewide businesses by attending chamber of commerce meetings in order to establish potential business ventures for Deaf entrepreneurs. This is to provide greater economic opportunities for the Deaf people to make a positive impact within the Deaf community.
Visit our Deaf Entrepreneurs page
Past Presidents, 1906 – Current
1906 – 1909 | James W. Howson |
1909 – 1913 | Douglas Tilden |
1914 – 1915 | Leo W. Williams |
1915 – 1917 | Winfield S. Runde |
1917 – 1919 | Isadore Selig |
1919 – 1921 | Emory E. Vinson |
1921 – 1923 | Melville J. Mathis |
1923 – 1926 | Alice T. Terry |
1927 – 1931 | Isabel M. Lester |
1931 – 1934 | Russell P. Handley |
1934 – 1936 | Emory E. Vinson |
1936 – 1938 | Perry E. Seely |
1938 – 1941 | Forest D. Gilbert |
1941 – 1946 | Emil S. Ladner |
1946 – 1948 | Einer Rosenkjar |
1948 – 1950 | Walter M. Lester |
1950 – 1958 | Toivo Lindholm |
1958 – 1962 | Herbert Schreiber |
1962 – 1963 | Victor H. Galloway |
1963 – 1967 | Harold Ramger |
1967 – 1970 | Richard L. Babb |
1970 – 1975 | Kyle Workman |
1975 – 1977 | Lillian Skinner |
1977 – 1981 | John Galvan |
1981 – 1985 | Gerald “Bummy” Burstein |
1985 – 1989 | Marcella M. Meyers |
1989 – 1991 | Sheri Ann Farinha |
1991 – 1993 | Julian “Buddy” Singleton |
1993 – 1999 | Ron Rhodes |
1999 – 2002 | Russell Bye |
2002 – 2003 | Donald Nuremberger |
2003 – 2005 | Donald Rosenkjar |
2005 – 2009 | Richard L. Ray |
2009 – 2011 | Ralph Singleton |
2011 – 2013 | Daniel J. Girard |
2013 – 2017 | Julie Rems-Smario |
2017 – 2019 | Kavita Pipalia |
2020 – Present | Kavita Pipalia |