Visual Description: white woman with blonde, curly hair. Wearing silver hoop earrings and a black short-sleeve polo shirt with red Wisconsin and white text "WAD 1876". Standing against a black background.
Hello, Wisconsin Deaf Community!
Get ready — the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf's 2027 Conference is coming, and we need YOU to help make it happen!
Next year is extra special: 2027 marks a milestone in our journey toward celebrating 150 years of WAD tradition, community, and shared history. We can't do it without volunteers like you.
We're looking for people to join three important committees:
Conference Planning Committee
Help shape the event from the ground up: registration, schedule, presenters/workshops, and making sure every attendee has a great experience.
Awards Committee
Help us recognize outstanding members of our community: reviewing nominations and selecting honorees for our conference awards banquet.
Necrology Committee
Help us honor and remember members of our Deaf community who have passed since our last conference: gathering names, stories, and preparing a respectful tribute.
No experience required! Just your time, your ideas, and your heart for our community.
If you're interested in volunteering for any of these committees, please fill out the form
Let's make WAD 2027 Conference together!
150 Years Strong: Our Legacy. Our Voice. Our Future
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has published the 2026 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. There is a public comment period open through September 17. Your feedback is very important, and we hope you’ll take the time to participate in this opportunity. Visit https://www.wisconsindot.gov/ada to find the plan, along with an overview video presentation and options to comment using the web, email or standard U.S. Mail.
Press Releases:
Aug 7: Gov. Evers Declares Period of Economic Disruption for Four Counties due to Devastating Storms
Aug 7: Gov. Evers Declares Period of Economic Disruption for Four Counties due to Devastating Storms
Aug 10: Gov. Evers Requests FEMA Support to Assess and Respond to July Storm Damage in Wisconsin
If your county experienced damage from storms on April 13-23, your county may qualify for assistance from Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Only one month left to apply for assistance!
Video Description: White woman wearing a dark gray shirt.
Transcript:
WAD wants to ensure the community is aware of how the recent weather incidents have impacted our Wisconsin communities. It includes our Deaf community who are affected. On July 28th, Governor Evers declared an Emergency, specifically for the Fox Cities area that was impacted by the recent tornadoes causing severe damage in the area. This impacts members of our Deaf community as well. We appreciate our member, Jeff Bronk, for reaching out to individuals from the area to see how they are doing and what they need for support. If you are interested in learning more or providing support for our Deaf communities in the Fox Valley area, feel free to contact the WAD board or Jeff Bronk.
This past spring, Wisconsin experienced a lot of rain, which caused flooding in many homes. Governor Evers declared an emergency at that time as well, requesting federal assistance. As a result of that, the Federal Emergency Management Administration has some funding for those who need assistance for repairs due to the damages from the storms. Although, there is a time limit on when those funds are available to those impacted, and only one month remains for the application period. For more details on which counties are eligible for assistance, and which dates are applicable, you can find more information below in this issue of WAD News.
If you have any questions, or have any information for us, please feel free to reach out to WAD, and we would be happy to assist you. Thank you!
Governor Evers Press Release (July 28, 2026) - Gov. Evers Declares State of Emergency in Response to Severe Storms throughout Eastern Wisconsin
Governor Evers Press Release (July 30, 2026) - Gov. Evers Mobilizes Wisconsin National Guard as Winnebago County Begins Recovery from Devastating Tornado
If your county experienced damage from storms on April 13-23, your county may qualify for assistance from Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Only one month left to apply for assistance!
Video Description: White woman wearing a dark gray shirt.
Transcript:
WAD wants to ensure the community is aware of how the recent weather incidents have impacted our Wisconsin communities. It includes our Deaf community who are affected. On July 28th, Governor Evers declared an Emergency, specifically for the Fox Cities area that was impacted by the recent tornadoes causing severe damage in the area. This impacts members of our Deaf community as well. We appreciate our member, Jeff Bronk, for reaching out to individuals from the area to see how they are doing and what they need for support. If you are interested in learning more or providing support for our Deaf communities in the Fox Valley area, feel free to contact the WAD board or Jeff Bronk.
This past spring, Wisconsin experienced a lot of rain, which caused flooding in many homes. Governor Evers declared an emergency at that time as well, requesting federal assistance. As a result of that, the Federal Emergency Management Administration has some funding for those who need assistance for repairs due to the damages from the storms. Although, there is a time limit on when those funds are available to those impacted, and only one month remains for the application period. For more details on which counties are eligible for assistance, and which dates are applicable, you can find more information below in this issue of WAD News.
If you have any questions, or have any information for us, please feel free to reach out to WAD, and we would be happy to assist you. Thank you!
Governor Evers Press Release (July 28, 2026) - Gov. Evers Declares State of Emergency in Response to Severe Storms throughout Eastern Wisconsin
Governor Evers Press Release (July 30, 2026) - Gov. Evers Mobilizes Wisconsin National Guard as Winnebago County Begins Recovery from Devastating Tornado
If your county experienced damage from storms on April 13-23, your county may qualify for assistance from Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Only one month left to apply for assistance!
Video Description: White woman wearing a t-shirt with print that says "WIS DEAF".
Transcript:
WAD wants to ensure the community is aware of how the recent weather incidents have impacted our Wisconsin communities. It includes our Deaf community who are affected. On July 28th, Governor Evers declared an Emergency, specifically for the Fox Cities area that was impacted by the recent tornadoes causing severe damage in the area. This impacts members of our Deaf community as well. We appreciate our member, Jeff Bronk, for reaching out to individuals from the area to see how they are doing and what they need for support. If you are interested in learning more or providing support for our Deaf communities in the Fox Valley area, feel free to contact the WAD board or Jeff Bronk.
This past spring, Wisconsin experienced a lot of rain, which caused flooding in many homes. Governor Evers declared an emergency at that time as well, requesting federal assistance. As a result of that, the Federal Emergency Management Administration has some funding for those who need assistance for repairs due to the damages from the storms. Although, there is a time limit on when those funds are available to those impacted, and only one month remains for the application period. For more details on which counties are eligible for assistance, and which dates are applicable, you can find more information below in this issue of WAD News.
If you have any questions, or have any information for us, please feel free to reach out to WAD, and we would be happy to assist you. Thank you!
Map of counties impacted in the April storms:
Governor Evers Press Release (July 28, 2026) - Gov. Evers Declares State of Emergency in Response to Severe Storms throughout Eastern Wisconsin
WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RELEASE: One Month Left to Apply for federal assistance for April 13-23 storms and flooding
Governor Evers Press Release (July 30, 2026) - Gov. Evers Mobilizes Wisconsin National Guard as Winnebago County Begins Recovery from Devastating Tornado
SAVE THE DATES
WSD’s 175th Anniversary Celebration is coming!
Theme: 175 Years of WSD: Rooted in Generations
Tagline: Every Story Belongs.
Charter Day — April 19, 2027
WSDAA Reunion — July 29–August 1, 2027
Homecoming Weekend — October 8–9, 2027
Join us as we celebrate 175 years of tradition, community, memories, and generations of stories.