Mission
The Puget Sound Association of the Deaf (PSAD) Cultural Center’s mission is to serve as a center which provides educational, social, recreational, and resource programs to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and well-being of diverse deaf and deaf-blind citizens of all ages, their languages, their culture, and their contributions to society.
Our Vision
The Puget Sound Association of the Deaf will be the recognized statewide leader providing a continuum of dynamic and innovative programs for persons of diverse deaf and deaf-blind.
History
Seattle Deaf Mutes Society was first organized on July 4, 1900, which incorporated in 1901. Then the organization renamed The Puget Sound Association of the Deaf, Inc. (PSAD) on February 22, 1904.
Values
Culture, Diversity, and Intersectionality
Culture, diversity, and intersectionality are a cumulative deposit of shared knowledge, beliefs, hierarchies, religions, history, language, traditions, values, and ways of life.
Deaf Culture
We integrate Deaf culture in the workplace; this includes the preservation, education, and celebration of Deaf people’s international sign languages, art, literary traditions, history, values, shared experiences, and our ways of being Deaf.
American Sign Language | ASL
ASL is the language and human right of all Deaf, Deaf+, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and Deafened people; therefore all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafened, and DeafBlind individuals have the right to access to ASL.
Communication and Language Access
All individuals both outside and in the PSAD organization have the right to 100% communication access; therefore, we advocate for the removal of communication and language barriers.
Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Well-Being
The health of a Deaf, Deaf+, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and Deafened individual as a PSAD employee, board member, volunteer, or community member leads to better community relationships and services.
Accountability
We hold ourselves responsible for our professional and personal behavior in the organization and encourage the same of others in a supportive and positive environment.
Mutual Respect
We recognize and respect each other’s boundaries — we don’t overstep our authority, we collaborate responsibly, efficiently, and honorably with others whether they be individuals, groups, or other organizations.
Integrity
We strive to do the right thing and do it with honesty, transparencies and we believe in approaching our business and daily operations with integrity. We conduct our business activities with confidentiality, accountability, and a strong work ethic.
Financial Sustainability
Long-term financial planning is a vital discipline for creating and maintaining financial sustainability for PSAD, which requires creating a vision and engaging in proactive thinking and actions.
Quality Service
We are committed to full consumer satisfaction. Services growth, additional resources, program expansion, and improved referrals to respond to community needs reflect our success.
Non Discrimination Policy; Our Commitment to Inclusion and Respect
This policy states the Puget Sound Association of the Deaf’s position on discrimination. This policy applies to all Puget Sound Association of the Deaf employees, volunteers, members. clients and contractors.
The Puget Sound Association of the Deaf does not discriminate in the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, people with disabilities, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, communication modalities and martial status.
This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, organization members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.