The CAD-ASC Board is pleased to announce the release of our final Strategic Plan for 2026–2030. This plan outlines our priorities and direction for the next five years as we continue advancing the rights, access, and leadership of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing communities across Canada.

To view the full document, please see: CAD-ASC’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030 (Final Version) – Word (DOCX)

We invite you to review the plan and learn more about the goals and initiatives that will guide our work throughout this period. This Strategic Plan reflects extensive community input, organizational assessment, and our ongoing commitment to equity, accessibility, and meaningful engagement.

A plain-language version of the Strategic Plan 2026–2030 is provided below.

Canadian Association of the Deaf – Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC) Strategic Plan (2026–2030) 

Vision Statement:

  • An inclusive Canada where Deaf people, including youth and Indigenous peoples, thrive. 
  • A society that values sign languages, equity, and deaf leadership at the local, national, and global levels. 

Mission Statement:

  • Protect and promote the rights and needs of Deaf people. 
  • Promote equality, access to communication, education, employment and opportunities. 
  • To ensure the full inclusion of Deaf people in society. 

1. Indigenous reconciliation and protection of Indigenous Sign languages 

Goal: To promote reconciliation and protect Indigenous languages.  

Actions: 

  • Acknowledge colonial wrongs and marginalization. 
  • Establish a Deaf Indigenous Advisory Circle. 
  • Support Elder-led programs and “language nests.” 
  • Defend, recognition and promotion of Indigenous languages. 
  • Building partnerships with Indigenous groups. 

2. National infrastructure and capacity building 

Objective: To establish a permanent national headquarters and strengthen regional organizations.  

Actions: 

  • Acquire a central headquarters. 
  • Create a multi-stakeholder working group to manage resources and infrastructure. 
  • Provide safe housing for youth and at-risk individuals. 
  • Launch a fundraising campaign with regional micro-projects. 
  • Support organizational development and deaf innovation, including accessible artificial intelligence (AI). 

3. Language Rights and Education 

Objective: To ensure bilingual education and post-secondary access.  

Actions: 

  • Recognize language deprivation as a national crisis. 
  • Develop bilingual ASL/LSQ + written language programs from early childhood. 
  • Establish national guidelines and promote school collaboration. 
  • Advocate for Deaf-run universities. 

4. Post-Secondary Opportunities 

Objective: To develop Deaf-led post-secondary institutions.  

Actions: 

  • Collaborate with universities and stakeholders. 
  • Integrate deaf teachers and researchers. 
  • Promote research, interpreter training and preservation of indigenous languages. 

5. Access to Justice 

Objective: To establish a Deaf-led Legal Centre.  

Actions: 

  • Provide advocacy and representation for cases of national importance. 
  • Create a national legal clinic. 
  • Train lawyers, with 2SLGBTQ+, rural/north and Deaf-Blind perspectives. 
  • Monitor laws and policies affecting Deaf rights. 

6. Standards and certifications for interpreters 

Objective: To establish a Deaf-led National ASL/LSQ Certification Board.  

Actions: 

  • Ensure deaf and regional representation. 
  • Advocate for legislative changes and pathways for Indigenous languages. 

7. Policies and standards under the Accessible Canada Act 

Objective: To ensure the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). 

Actions: 

  • Integrate sign languages into services and standards. 
  • Offer Deaf-led consultations and monitor CRPD enforcement. 
  • Develop a reporting system and inclusive accountability mechanisms. 

8. International commitment and solidarity 

Objective: To strengthen international collaboration and support the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and its youth section.  

Actions: 

  • Provide financial and in-kind support to the WFD and WFD-YS initiatives. 
  • To ensure representation of Canadian communities internationally. 
  • Advocate for government support for the WFD 2039 Congress and integrate objectives with CRPD. 
  • Defend recognition International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of the Deaf. 

Supporting inclusion deaf organizations in the Global South. 
End of plain-language version.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to strengthen and empower our communities.