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DEAF SENIORS OF AMERICA, INC. ABOUT DSA: Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) is a membership organization that was established after its first conference, in 1992. Originally called the National Association of Deaf Senior Citizens (NADSC), the current name was adopted in 1997. 
DSA carries out its mission through conferences, newsletters, and other communications with its members. Members must be aged 50 or older to join. DSA is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, established in 1992 and incorporated in 1995. MISSION STATEMENT: The Mission of DSA is to improve the quality of life for senior citizens who are deaf by: 1. Providing seminars dealing with issues impacting their well-being and safety; 2. Conducting awareness projects or activities among decision makers, providers of services and the general public regarding their unique needs and; 3. Acquainting those senior citizens with national, state, and local resources that will contribute to their positive image and fuller participation in the mainstream society. HISTORICAL SKETCH: The first national conference for deaf seniors was held under the auspices of Travis County Association of Deaf Senior Citizens in Austin, Texas in 1992. It drew more than 950 participants. After this conference, a survey was conducted among thousands of seniors throughout the country about the desirability of having a national organization. The response was overwhelming in favor. The establishment of the National Association of Deaf Senior Citizens took place at the second national conference hosted by the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association in 1994 which brought together more than 1,700 participants. The Florida Association of the Deaf undertook on short notice the task of putting together a mini-conference in Fort Lauderdale in 1995. More than 800 people registered. The Arizona Senior Citizens Coalition hosted the fourth national conference in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. More than 1,700 participants gathered at this conference. At this conference, the participants voted to rename the organization Deaf Seniors of America (DSA). In 1999 the Georgia Association of Deaf Senior Citizens had the honor of managing the fifth national conference in Atlanta. They had 1,300 participants. The Minnesota Deaf Citizens welcomed the sixth national conference in Bloomington, Minnesota on September 11-16, 2001. 1,100 out of 1,700 registered participants determined to show up regardless of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. The 7th Biennial Conference convened at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, MA; May 20-25, 2003 with 1,400 attendees. The 8th Biennial Conference convened at the Hilton San Francisco, August 31-September 5, 2005. The 9th Biennial Conference convened at the Hotel Renaissance, Orlando Florida,April 9-15, 2007. UPCOMING CONFERENCE: 10th Biennial Conference, Las Vegas, 2009 DSA has experienced steady growth in membership and influence. It has striven to widen its scope of programs and services to its memberships as resources permitted. Wherever the conferences were held, the local host organizations and their members developed conference programs that were meaningful and relevant to the needs of this population. As someone once said: "DSA is an idea whose time has come". This idea is now a strong, vibrant organization of more than 2,500 members from throughout the United States. DSA welcomes anyone 50 years and older to join the organization. Dues are $15 for two years, renewable at the next conference. Membership benefits include: DSA quarterly newsletter, New Horizons; the official logo pin; and brochure outlining the mission of DSA. Join DSA. DSA WEBSITE: www.deafseniors.org |
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