The Ontario Association of the Deaf (OAD)

Behind the green leaf, which we so proudly have come to know as the heart of the Ontario Deaf community, is a rich history.

The Ontario Association of the Deaf (OAD), originally the Ontario Deaf-Mute Association was founded in 1886, is proudly

Canada’s oldest Deaf organization. The first meeting to discuss the need for an organization occurred September 6, 1886

where 100 people attended, mostly graduates from the Ontario Institution for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and

Dumb in Belleville. Samual Thomas Greene was elected as the first president and William Nurse was elected as the first secretary.

Both were teachers of the deaf in Belleville. The first meeting declared the first constitution “To bring together all deaf-mutes of

suitable age and intelligence at appointed meetings; to afford opportunities for consultation on all matters of interest to them, and

otherwise endeavor to devise means for the promotion of the moral and intellectual well-being of those concerned” (Carbin 187).

The OAD had one goal; to improve the lives of people in the Deaf community.

The OAD printed its first periodical, The OAD News in 1941 which included meeting details and articles covering the events and

concerns of Deaf Ontarians. In 1908 the OAD elected John Tyler Shilton, a young graduate from the University of Toronto. Under his leadership, the OAD changed its name from the Ontario Deaf-Mute Association to the Ontario Association of the Deaf. The word

“dumb” was also removed from the Ontario Institution of the Deaf and Dumb, and the name of Belleville’s school’s newspaper was

changed from The Canadian Mute to The Canadian. Last but not least, motions were passed to support compulsory attendance to

school for all Deaf children. OAD fought for the rights of the elderly, the unemployed as well as Deaf immigrants.

In 1924 the first woman was elected on executive board. Ethel May (nee Irvine) Waggoner of Hamilton. In 1926 she become the

first woman president of the OAD and led the organization until 1928. 50 years later, Dorothy (Ellen) Beam became the second

female president.

The OAD shifted from that of an educational organization to a more political organization advocating on the behalf of Deaf Ontarians. “Resolved that any policy of education which tends to destroy, or impair or restrict the use of this (ASL) beautiful language is

opposed to the best interest of the deaf” (Carbin 188). Today, the OAD works together to ensure a better future for Deaf

Ontarians leading in advocacy, education, bilingual/bicultural education, Deaf aboriginal, Deaf Youth, Deaf Seniors and

Langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ) Deaf and Deaf-Blind.

Based on the information from Clifton F. Carbin “Deaf Heritage in Canada.” McGrawl-Hill Ryerson Limited. Whitby. 1996

Edited by Lianne Valiquette