A world-class institute of changemakers in the deaf and signing community.
Since 1864, we have been investing in and creating resources for deaf and hard of hearing children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.
Over 50 degree programs, with online and continuing education for personal and professional development.
Innovating solutions to break down barriers, and using science to prove what does and doesn’t work.
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CDDA is a non-partisan organization at Gallaudet University committed to developing healthy democratic skills and habits of deaf individuals by fostering disagreement, debate, and civic engagement through American Sign Language and English.
To create inclusive and accessible environments in which every deaf person engages in critical reflection and participates in difficult conversations across differences in ASL.
Infuse: Infuse Gallaudet and K-12 Deaf Education with curricular material that promote open-mindedness, humility, and constructive disagreement.
“A world of open-minded deaf people who welcome discomfort and seek growth by interacting with people with different opinions, perspectives, identities, and experiences.
Curate talks, discussions and events in ASL that inspire self-reflection, connection across differences, curiosity, open-mindedness, intellectual and moral humility, and/or disagreement.
To enliven critical thinking, intellectual humility, reasoned analysis, decorum, and rhetoric in the Deaf community through access to competitive debate in ASL
A more tolerant, engaged, and perceptive Deaf community in which deaf and hard of hearing individuals become more knowledgeable and persuasive.
Share available tools, resources, which teachers, professors, administrators, and community organizers can deploy to host and promote debate.
Provide hands-on opportunities for the Deaf community to both watch and participate in competitive debate.
Curate and make debates accessible in ASL about important issues of the day.
Support debate societies and teams at all programs, schools, and universities for the deaf participating in regional and national competitions.
To inspire deaf and hard of hearing people to make a difference on local and national levels by developing the combination of civic knowledge, skills, cohesion, and motivation through ASL to make that difference through political and non-political processes.
A future where deaf and hard of hearing people, and their schools, programs, workplaces, and communities volunteer, vote, serve, and network with individuals and organizations inside and outside the Deaf community to promote the quality of democracy.
Secure and recognize commitments from educational, university, and community leaders with affirmed best civic engagement practices. Register deaf and hard of hearing voters for the 2020 election and get them out to vote. Send deaf students to intern at Democratic and Republican National Conventions and on the Hill.
Work with individuals, associations, and communities to overcome division, build networks, and to foster social capital. Build coalitions with high-visibility, high-impact organizations in the Deaf community. Build cross-cutting coalitions and partnerships with “hearing” and disability organizations.
Host and facilitate events that promote critical thinking and knowledge about American political system. Create and disseminate fun and educational materials that discuss current events, principles of democracy, the system of American government, and rights.
Organize and promote volunteerism and service to local and national associations. Encourage service-learning requirement that foster civic responsibility and civic engagement.
Bay Area, CAPhysical Edu. & Rec.
Tyler, TXHistory & Gov.
Villa Rica, GAHistory
Buffalo, NYBiology
Laurel, MDUndeclared
Charles Town, WVSocial Work & Gov.
Albuquerque, NMPhyschology
Frederick, MDSociology
Inside Higher Ed | April 22, 2021
A Milestone on Intercollegiate Debate
"In this turbulent and dynamic century, our nation’s diverse democracy and interdependent global community require a more informed, engaged, and socially responsible citizenry. Both educators and employers agree that personal and social responsibility should be core elements of a 21st century college education if our world is to thrive."
– Association of American Colleges and Universities
Admissions Requirements
Spring 2021 – Dec 12Fall 2021 – May 15