Below are links to organizations affiliated with the Deaf community along with short descriptions from their websites. While not an exhaustive list by any means, hopefully this list serves as a starting place for you in pursuing your interests.

American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB)- www.aadb.org
AADB is a national consumer organization of, by, and for deaf-blind Americans and their supporters. Their mission is to ensure that all deaf-blind persons achieve their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.

Maryland Association of the Deaf (MDAD)- www.mdad.tv
Their mission is to safeguard, maintain, and advance the civic, educational, and social welfare of people who are deaf and hard of hearing in the state of Maryland. The MDAD membership includes deaf and hard of hearing people; hearing parents and guardians of deaf children; hearing children of deaf adults; and professionals who work with deaf people, all working together to support and learn from one another.

Metropolitan Washington Deaf Community Center (MWDCC)- www.mwdcc.org
Supports the empowerment and advocacy undertakings to increase accessibility for the deaf community, especially through MWDCC Roundtable on Deaf Issues. Their mission is to promote programs and activities among deaf individuals, whether social, cultural, civic, educational, and/or recreational.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)- www.nad.org
Established in 1880 by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of all deaf Americans.

National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA)- www.nbda.org
The oldest and largest consumer organization of deaf and hard of hearing black deaf people in the United States. Their Mission is to promote the leadership development, economic and educational opportunities, social equality, and to safeguard the general health and welfare of Black deaf and hard of hearing people.

National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCHDHH)- www.nchdhh.org
Their mission is to ensure equal access of the Hispano deaf and hard of hearing community in the areas of social, recreational, cultural, educational and vocational welfare. The NCHD will maintain a national awareness and advocacy program to educate the deaf and hard of hearing communities as well as social and educational programs and organizations about the needs and issues facing deaf Hispano persons.

Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD)- www.vad.org
A nonprofit organization dedicated to the general welfare of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The mission of the Virginia Association of the Deaf is to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)- http://wfdeaf.org
An international non-governmental organization representing approximately 70 million Deaf people worldwide. Recognized by the United Nations (UN) as their spokes-organization, WFD works closely with the UN and its various agencies in promoting the human rights of Deaf people in accordance with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other general acts and recommendations of the UN and its specialized agencies.