Empire State Association of the Deaf collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITDSA-0022

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The ESAD records range in date from the 33rd biennial convention of 1936 in Binghamton to a 1999 Policy Manual. The Association does not maintain central offices; this collection therefore reflects business that was conducted via the mail and at board meetings and conventions held in various locations.

The records include correspondence between board members and branch representatives, meeting minutes, and convention proceedings dating from the late 1930s to the mid 1990s. The records from the 1970s and 1990s are less complete than the other decades. Financial records consist of treasurers’ reports, ledger books, bank statements, tax-exempt documents, and spread-sheets. The evolution of ESAD’s constitution and bylaws can be traced from a photocopy of the 1867 version to that of 1997. There is a list of members’ names and addresses from 1940; additional membership information dates from the 1960s and 1980s and is arranged by branch.

Dates

Creation: 1936-2006

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Historical Information on the Empire State Association of the Deaf (ESAD)

The Empire State Association of the Deaf (ESAD) is an independent, nonprofit organization that advocates on local and state levels for the rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens. Founded in 1865 as the Empire State Association of Deaf Mutes by the graduates and former pupils of the New York Institution for the Deaf, it is the oldest state association of the deaf. ESAD became affiliated with the National Association of the Deaf in 1941 and received its incorporation papers in 1942.

ESAD is governed by its executive board which consists of three officers - president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer; eight branch directors; two directors-at-large; and executive secretary.

Biographical Information on David Staehle

David “Dave” Staehle is a graduate of The National Technical Institute for the Deaf and has spent his life working to benefit the Deaf community. Staehle served as the President of the Empire State Association of the Deaf for many years and currently serves as the Camp Director for Camp Mark Seven, a camp for deaf children.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIopl1ov26M

http://www.capecoddeafsailing.com/about.html

https://esad.org/

https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Services-for-deaf-under-fire-5587225.php

Extent

18 Linear Feet (24 File boxes, 2 Document boxes, 1 Oversize folder)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Records of the Empire State Association of the Deaf (ESAD). ESAD is an independent, nonprofit organization that advocates on local and state levels for the rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number(s): 06:063 07:026

06:063 was donated to NTID by Albert and Peggy Hlibok, based on NTID's longstanding support of the organization.

07:26 was donated by Alice Guinane.