North Carolina Deaf-Blind Associates

NCDBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the North Carolina Deaf-Blind Associates is to advocate for the needs and rights of individuals who are Deaf-Blind and to enable individuals who are Deaf-Blind to achieve their maximum potential by being independent and productive in the mainstream as citizens of the state of North Carolina.

NCDBA HISTORY 
In 1981, Sue Etheridge was the state’s only Deaf-Blind Specialist with the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB). In her role as the Deaf-Blind Specialist, she saw first-hand how many of the Deaf-Blind residents were isolated. She wanted to provide an environment that allowed the community to meet others who face similar challenges. There was also a need to help the community with navigation and communication support. Sue worked with the Lions Club, who already had Camp Dogwood for the blind to create a weekend for the Deaf-Blind Community. Sue worked to gather a group of volunteers who became known as Support Service Providers (SSPs) that worked with the community at camp. Local Lions Clubs gave funding for individuals assisted by the social workers for the blind in each county. Until 1994/1995, this was the sole source of funding. The change was due to the committee requesting grants from the Lion’s Foundation annually to supplement local Lion’s contributions.

In 1983, Sue met a man named John “Johnny” Washington, who had a dream to create a deaf-blind consumer organization in North Carolina. With Sue’s help, a planning committee was set up and the first convention was held in 1984 in Winston-Salem. Since then, the annual conference has been held in various cities. For many years, the keynote speaker was a deaf-blind person from another state. John Washington and Launa Autry were also keynote speakers during those years. During the convention, officers from the NCDBA as well as representatives for DSDHH and other supporters went to lobby in Raleigh to support the expanded deaf-blind program proposed by the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) and Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH). As a result, the expanded deaf-blind program was started in 1995. DSB and DSDHH combined have Deaf-Blind specialists statewide. Each specialist works with deaf-blind consumers in multiple counties.

Camp Dogwood Committee

In the beginning, the Camp Dogwood committee was not under NCDBA until around 1996/1997.  The financial aspects of the camp had become difficult with money coming from various Lions Clubs across the state to cover costs.  At this time, the Camp Director asked the committee to find a single portal of funding for them to bill the organization one bill and be paid in one lump sum. A need arose for a non-profit organization that would be willing to administer the money. NCDBA was asked to do this as they had a special interest in persons who were deaf-blind, and many were involved in camp. They agreed at this time. At the time, Randall Pope was president, which benefitted both the camp committee and NCDBA.

The Camp Dogwood planning committee sought to find deaf-blind people to be active in the planning and activities as well as to lead and direct the camp and the committee. Some deaf-blind people who served as directors were Sam McCord, Lea Moynihan, and Lee Clark. The committee had representatives from state agencies, interpreters, the deaf, and deaf-blind community. The dedication and commitment of so many, working as a team has been the backbone of its success.

The Lions initiated the establishment of a collaborative agreement between the Lion’s foundation, DSB, DSDHH and NCDBA. This was to give strength to the camp weekend and ensure everyone knew their responsibilities. The Lions had also requested a liaison from DSB to work between the Lions Foundation and the committee (mainly prior to the camp weekend). This person would be the Deaf-Blind Coordinator’s position.  Problems arising during the deaf-blind camp weekend would be handled by the director of the camp committee.

All efforts were made to have representatives from the NCDBA Board on the Committee, i.e. Lee Hartline, Ronnie Merritt, Lee Clark, Tonya Hartley, Doris Moore (treasurer in 1999) to feed information back to NCDBA.   A report was given by the NCDBA Liaison on the committee to the NCDBA board and in later years the treasurer of NCDBA served as treasurer of the camp.