Exciting news! 🎉 The Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD) is expanding its digital presence! We’re now on Substack and Bluesky — two new platforms where we’ll share community news, stories, and updates. 📬 Follow us on Substack for our official newsletter: https://utahassocdeaf.substack.com/ 🌐 Join us on Bluesky for more conversation and updates: [https://bsky.app/profile/utahassocdeaf.bsky.social We’re excited to connect with even more of our community—see you there! #UAD, #DeafUtah, #DeafCommunity, #UtahDeaf, #Substack, #Bluesky (fb)

Honoring Valerie G. Kinney's Legacy We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Valerie G. Kinney on May 25th, 2025. Her unwavering dedication to the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD) was truly remarkable, spanning an impressive forty-four years from 1967 to 2011. Her meticulous record-keeping as a board member—a task she performed with utmost care and precision—was invaluable, and her profound influence in the community was evident throughout her long and dedicated tenure. She played a significant role in many capacities at the UAD, including vice president, secretary, treasurer, and editor of the UAD Bulletin. Her management of the UAD Bookstore and her role as the moderator for UAD Announce further highlighted her extensive contributions to the organization. In addition to her work with the UAD, Valerie made a significant impact at the Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf, demonstrating her commitment to the Utah Deaf community. Her excellent business and office management skills were recognized when she was appointed as the office administrator for the 16th Winter Deaflympics in 2007, showcasing her competence and influence in the field. Valerie's influence reached far beyond her direct roles. She played a crucial part in the Utah Deaf History Project, contributing significantly through her support, guidance, editing, and material donations. Her commitment to preserving our community's history and the lasting impact she made are deeply appreciated. Her legacy will continue to inspire us, and her meticulous attention to detail will be remembered by everyone who knew her. She was not just a leader; she was an exceptional one. The Deaf community in Utah is fortunate to have had her as our guide. Thank you, Valerie, for everything you did for our community! You will be missed! (fb)