LAD dba Deaf Focus

Today is International Day of Sign Languages!

The International Day of Sign Languages is usually observed on September 23rd. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sign languages and the human rights of deaf people by promoting the deaf community’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

✨IMPORTANT SERVICE UPDATE✨

LAD dba Deaf Focus is excited to announce that our newly-designed office is now OPEN to the public!

While our space is not 100% complete, we’ve received the blessings from the City of Baton Rouge with a Certificate of Occupancy as we continue with the finishing touches.

Our eager staff is working diligently to ensure we provide high-quality, responsive services to our assigned Regions.

📍Region 2 (Capital Area)
▪️Ascension
▪️East Baton Rouge
▪️East Feliciana
▪️Iberville
▪️Pointe Coupee
▪️West Baton Rouge
▪️West Feliciana

📍Region 3 (Bayou/River Parishes)
▪️Assumption
▪️Lafourche
▪️St. Charles
▪️St. James
▪️St. John the Baptist
▪️St. Mary
▪️Terrebonne

If you have questions, need assistance, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our Assistant Director, Tori Regueira, at [email protected].

Thank you for your support, understanding, and patience as we continue to build the resources and support our community deserves.



Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc.
Louisiana Commission for the Deaf

✨ Preparedness For All ✨

Join us for an upcoming webinar focused on including people with disabilities in emergency planning!

📅 Tuesday, September 29 @ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/PreparednessForAll092926

During this webinar, we'll:

📋 Identify strategies for creating inclusive emergency plans that consider the needs and supports of people with disabilities.

🤝 Explore how families, support systems, service providers, and community partners can work together.

🛠️ Discover practical tools and resources to help prepare, respond, and stay connected during emergencies.

Register today and join us in building more prepared and inclusive communities — together!

We're excited to partner with Bayou Land Families Helping Families to bring this webinar to you! 💙

Individuals seeking to provide in-person or remote sign language interpreting services in the state of Louisiana must register with the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf.

Without registering with the Commission, a sign language interpreter cannot:
☑️ Provide interpreting services for d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and/or hard of hearing individuals in Louisiana
☑️ Use any title, abbreviation, words, letters, signs, figures, or credentials indicating you are a registered Louisiana sign language interpreter

Learn everything you need to know to apply for the Louisiana Interpreter Registry: https://lcd.la.gov/interpreting-program/minimum-qualifications-standards-for-american-sign-language-interpreters/

LRID Open Forum on September 30,2026 on Deaf Interpreter Standards.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3922770210?omn=89345179054
Meeting ID: 392 277 0210

New opportunity to serve!

The Advisory Council for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention is expanding! Act 517 of the 2026 Legislative Session adds more representation to the Council, including more families and people who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing. Open seats on the council include:
✅ A young adult (18-26 years of age) who is d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing
✅ An early intervention provider who works with children who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing and their families
✅ A person who is d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing, and is the parent of a child who is d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing
✅ A parent of a child who is d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing, who is enrolled in early intervention
✅ A representative from a Louisiana-based family support organization for families whose children are d/Deaf or hard of hearing

Interested in applying or want more information? Visit https://bit.ly/4yuN3C4.

Are you a person who is DeafBlind, a family member of a DeafBlind individual, or a provider for DeafBlind individuals?

We are seeking individuals interested in serving on the Louisiana DeafBlind Advisory Committee!

The Committee was created to serve as an advisory group on matters related to DeafBlind individuals in Louisiana. Learn more and apply to be a Committee member at https://lcd.la.gov/deafblind-advisory-committee/