NAD President Congratulates President-Elect Obama

December 30, 2008

Barack Obama
President-Elect
451 Sixth Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Dear President-Elect Obama:

On behalf of our nation’s 36 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals, I congratulate you on your historic victory. Your message of hope and change resonated with Americans. During these troubled times, our nation needs a leader who will unite and inspire.

The mission of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The NAD is encouraged by your determination to bring fairness and equity to those who have not had access to or enjoyed all that our country has to offer. Sadly, our nation has not provided an equal opportunity for all to receive adequate health care, obtain a quality education, and become full participants in our society through the protection of civil rights. Simple justice demands that we change this. We note your appeal:

“This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”

Since its establishment in 1880, the NAD has been saying “Yes, we can” on behalf of the deaf and hard of hearing community in the United States. We have advocated for the rights of our members to work, to learn, to access communication, and to participate in the fabric of American life. We have fought discrimination, stereotypes, and negative perceptions. We have provided our youth with the tools they need to craft a future where barriers fade and leadership opportunities grow.

I offer the expertise and assistance of the NAD to you and your administration now and in the coming years. I believe we can be helpful as you develop policies that will create a better life for all Americans. We are pleased that we have had ongoing contact with your campaign’s Disability Vote Director Kareem Dale, whose outreach and support we have appreciated. We hope to broaden this relationship to include many other members of your team. We stand ready to serve. Please call upon us in any way you find helpful.

Sincerely,

Bobbie Beth Scoggins
President

Sumber: Blog President Persatuan Pekak USA