History

Who, what, why, where, and how was NADC started?

An Asian Deaf Conference, “Access Silent Asia” was hosted in San Francisco, California in March 11-14, 1994. The Co-Chairs were Judy Ho and Dr. Cheryl Wu. At the first-ever conference, John TC Yeh was the keynote Speaker, and Dr. Steven Chough was the Plenary Speaker. Several workshops were offered, the majority of them enjoyed by families, friends, and individuals. There were several people who were devoted activists for Asian Deaf communities and people. They had experienced hardships and challenges and wanted to create a powerful group to make a stand. But a lot of work needed to be done first! These people formed an Ad-Hoc Committee, the majority of whom initiated the creation of NADC Chapters: Bay Area Asian Deaf Association (BAADA), Greater Washington Asian Deaf Association (GWADA), Metropolitan Asian Deaf Association (MADA), and Southern California Asian Deaf Association (SCADA).

Ad-Hoc committee members were: Don Chan, Raine Cheng, Dr. Steven Chough, Sharon Gough, Sin Yi Ko, Mark Tao, Poh Teh, William Wong, Dr. Cheryl Wu, and John TC Yeh.

The Ad-Hoc committee formed to write the first draft of the Bylaws and to work closely with the Planning committee who were coordinating the 1997 Asian Deaf Conference, “Let’s Break Down the Silence.” At the same time, key leaders who attended the 1994 ADC moved forward with the spirit of empowerment in their hearts and created GWADA in June 1994, BAADA in June 1995, and Los Angeles Asian Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association (LAADHA; which was later renamed to SCADA) in September 1999. At the 1997 ADC, history was made for the books.

During a General Meeting, the draft of the Bylaws was discussed and approved. On March 23, 1997, after a very heated debate, an organization of, by, and for Asian Deaf Americans was formally recognized. Its name was the National Asian Deaf Congress. The first Board of Officers was elected to be the steward of this newly created national organization.

William Wong, President; Mark Tao, Vice President; Andy Lowe, Secretary; Thao Cook, Treasurer (Not Pictured); Dr. Steven Chough and John TC Yeh, Senior Board Members; Dr. Cynthia Plue and Karen Bregman, Junior Board Members

Past Leadership Team

1997-2000 Executive Board

William Wong, President
Mark Tao, Vice President
Andy Lowe, Secretary
Thao Cook, Treasurer
Dr. Steven Chough, Senior Board Member
John TC Yeh, Senior Board Member
Cynthia Plue, Junior Board Member
Karen Bregman, Junior Board Member

2000-2004 Executive Board

Cynthia Plue, President
Karen Bregman, Vice President
Raja Kushalnagar, Secretary
San Mark Chao, Treasurer
Dr. Steven Chough, Senior Board Member
John TC Yeh, Senior Board Member
Mark Tao, Board Member
LisaAnn Tom, Board Member
Rickey Tom, Board Member
William Wong, Past President

2004-2007 Executive Board

Karen Bregman, President
Vacant, Vice President
Martin Hiraga, Secretary
Dr. Steven Chough, Senior Board Member
Mark Tao, Senior Board Member
Alvin Leung, Board Member
Sin Yi Ko, Board Member
Cynthia Plue, Past President

2007-2011 Executive Board

Karen Bregman, President
Nan Zhou, Vice President
Leyla Erol, Secretary
George Sing Jr., Treasurer
Mark Tao, Senior Board Member
Soohyun Tak, Board Member
Shari Kido, Board Member
Thuan Nguyen, Board Member

2011-2013 Executive Board

Thuan Nguyen, President
Nan Zhou, Vice President
Leyla Erol, Secretary
George Sing Jr., Treasurer
Shari Kido, Senior Board Member
Clement So, Board Member
Don Lee Hanaumi, Board Member
Norman Chan, Board Member

2013-2014 Interim Executive Board

William Wong, Interim President
Chuck Hom, Interim Vice President
George Sing Jr., Interim Treasurer
Karen Bregman, Interim Board Member

2014-2017 Executive Board

William Wong, President
George Sing Jr., Vice President
Nanch Chough, Secretary
Jennifer Ayque-Cho, Treasurer
Chuck Hom, Board Member
Ronnie Cuartero, Board Member (Appointed in 2016)
Na Zhuo, Board Member (Appointed in 2017)
Karen Bregman, Past President

2017-2021 Executive Board

William Wong, President
Chuck Hom, Vice President
Nancy Chough, Secretary
Jennifer Ayque-Cho, Treasurer
Ronnie Cuartero, Board Member
Na Zhuo, Board Member
Byung Lim, Board Member (Appointed in 2019)
Karen Bregman, Past President

2021-2024 Executive Board

William Wong, President
Chuck Hom, Vice President
Nancy Chough, Secretary
Jennifer Ayque-Cho, Treasurer
Clement So, Board Member (Appointed in 2023)
Min Cho, Board Member (Appointed in 2023)
Karen Bregman, Past President

NADC is a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.