Chatham County Association of the Deaf

07/18/2026

https://www.bakermccullough.com/obituaries/hazel-davis?fbclid=IwY2xjawTIbtxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeODeNLrJcNgX8SyzvZdCtVTF6JwjpU2RhsWwaCd1IqtzuCKJpKnoiu9Zw3g0_aem_tTR1PLvKURd5cWXwtxcf9Q

View Hazel Elaine Metts Davis's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/11/2026

A Public Apology & Commitment to the Georgia Deaf Community

By Kelly Joseph Faust

Founder, The Deaf Sentinel

Former Vice President, Georgia Association of the Deaf (2013–2015)
Co-Founder, Chatham County Association for the Deaf
To the Georgia Deaf Community,

I come before you today not as a leader, not as an advocate with a title, and not as a man seeking recognition—but as a human being seeking forgiveness and restoration.

For many years, my life, my advocacy, and my personal struggles became deeply intertwined. Some of my decisions, words, and actions during and after my time as Vice President of the Georgia Association of the Deaf caused pain, division, broken trust, and damaged relationships. For that, I am truly and profoundly sorry.
From 2013 to 2015, I had the honor of serving as Vice President of GAD. When I resigned, I nominated Wade Doster to serve as Vice President, and he went on to serve three terms as GAD President. I am proud of that outcome—but I also recognize that the seasons surrounding that transition were marked by conflict, misunderstanding, and hurt for many people.

I also co-founded the Chatham County Association for the Deaf in Savannah with Dr. Frank Lala. What began as a partnership rooted in shared purpose eventually fractured amid personal crises, misunderstandings, and my own failure to properly separate my private life from my public responsibilities. I believed I was protecting an organization during a time of chaos in my personal life. Others experienced my actions as destructive. Both truths can exist—and the damage that resulted is still real.

I take responsibility for the relationships harmed, the trust eroded, and the wounds left behind. I do not offer excuses. I do not shift blame. I acknowledge the pain caused by my actions—whether intentional or not.

Today, I stand in a very different place in my life. I have lost dearly. I have learned painfully. I have been humbled profoundly.

The Deaf Sentinel was not born out of ambition or profit—it was born out of repentance, reflection, and a desire to serve in a healthier, more accountable way. I am now committing myself to selfless service, not to rebuild my name, but to rebuild trust where it can still be built.

I am currently in communication with Amy Efron Cohen, the current President of the Georgia Association of the Deaf. I respect her leadership and the weight she carries for the Deaf community in Georgia. My hope is not to insert myself into leadership—but to support, to listen, and to serve with humility.

I recognize that I have, in one way or another, impacted every GAD president since Dr. Frank Lala’s tenure. That is not something I say with pride—it is something I acknowledge with sobriety. I do not want my legacy to be one of conflict, division, or unresolved harm.
I want to leave a better legacy.

I want to remove the bad taste left in many mouths—not through words alone, but through consistent, quiet, accountable service.
I am asking—without entitlement and without expectation—for your forgiveness. I understand that forgiveness is not owed to me. Trust must be earned again, slowly and through action.

If you are willing, I ask for the opportunity to build bridges again—as a servant, not as a central figure.
If you are not ready, I respect that too.

To those I hurt directly: I am sorry.
To organizations that suffered: I am sorry.
To friendships that ended bitterly: I am sorry.

My commitment going forward is this:

• To listen more than I speak.
• To protect unity over ego.
• To elevate Deaf voices, not my own.
• To serve quietly, consistently, and with accountability.
• To never again let personal chaos damage public trust.

Georgia helped shape me as an advocate. Georgia trusted me once. I failed parts of that trust.

Today, with humility and sincerity, I am asking to begin again—not as who I was, but as who I am striving to become.
With repentance, respect, and enduring hope,

Kelly Joseph Faust

Founder, The Deaf Sentinel
Former Vice President, Georgia Association of the Deaf
Co-Founder, Chatham County Association for the Deaf

07/08/2026

Memory - Proclamation to CCAD by Mayor

07/04/2026

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary for Deaf Americans involves recognizing the contributions and culture of the Deaf community while promoting awareness and inclusion. Here are some ideas for celebrations:

Cultural Events

Deaf History Exhibits: Organize exhibitions showcasing the history and achievements of Deaf Americans.
Performances: Host performances featuring Deaf artists, including theater, dance, and music interpreted in sign language.
Educational Initiatives

Workshops and Seminars: Offer workshops on Deaf culture, sign language, and advocacy.
Community Outreach: Engage schools and organizations to promote understanding of Deaf history and rights.
Community Gatherings

Festivals: Plan community festivals that include Deaf-friendly activities, food, and entertainment.
Virtual Celebrations: Utilize online platforms to reach a wider audience, featuring speakers and performers from the Deaf community.
Advocacy and Awareness

Campaigns: Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the rights and needs of Deaf individuals.
Collaborations: Partner with organizations that support Deaf rights to amplify voices and initiatives.
These activities can help foster a sense of community and recognition for Deaf Americans during this significant anniversary

Educating the Public About Deafness and American Sign Language (ASL)

Dear Community,

This letter aims to raise awareness about the unique communication challenges faced by the Deaf community and the significance of American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary mode of communication.

Deaf individuals often encounter communication barriers due to the differences between ASL and English. ASL is a visual-spatial language with its own grammatical structure, distinct from English. While English has both spoken and written forms, ASL lacks a written equivalent, which can complicate communication for Deaf individuals when interacting in English. Many Deaf people consider ASL their first language, while English is often a second language learned later in life. This linguistic difference can lead to difficulties in writing and expressing thoughts in English, as the two languages operate on different principles.

In ASL, communication is not just about hand signs; it also involves facial movements that convey grammatical information. These movements are integral to the language, rather than mere expressions of emotion. This visual nature of ASL makes it a rich and expressive language, but it also highlights the challenges Deaf individuals face when trying to communicate in a predominantly English-speaking world.

Furthermore, the absence of a written form of ASL means that there are no newspapers, magazines, or books available in ASL, limiting access to information and resources for ASL users. This lack of representation can further isolate Deaf individuals from the broader community.

It is essential to recognize that ASL is not English, nor is it a spoken or written language. Understanding and respecting ASL as a legitimate language can foster better communication and inclusivity for Deaf individuals. By educating ourselves and others about these differences, we can help bridge the communication gap and create a more inclusive society for everyone.

Importance of having ASL interpreters. Currently there is shortage of ASL interpreters in Arizona.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

By Dr. Frank James John Lala Jr.

A CREDO FOR DEAF AMERICANS

We don't choose to be the common linguistic minority........
It is our right to be the uncommon and noble linguistic minority.........
If we can, we seek opportunity, not security......
We don't wish to be "kept" citizens, humbled, dulled by having
the state look after us................
We want to take the calculated risk.... to dream and to build, to fail and to
succeed............
We want to abolish stereotyping, and to remove the prevalent public mentality
toward prejudice......
We will not tolerate biased perceptions, criticisms or censures of our beloved
American Sign Language.....
We will not accept abuse of our Deaf identity by oppressors, nor our rights to
self-determination.....
We refuse to barter incentive for a dole....
We prefer the challenge of life to a guaranteed existence; the thrill of
fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia....
We will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor our dignity for a
handout.........
We will never cower before any master, audism, or paternalistic attitudes, nor bend to any threat of discrimination.......
It is the heritage of our Deaf Culture to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; to
think and act for ourselves; to enjoy the benefits of our creations, and to face
the hearing world boldly and say, "This we have achieved.".......
All of this is what it means to be Deaf Americans......
________________________________
By Frank James John Lala, Jr., Ph.D.

Past President – Georgia Association of the Deaf and Chatham County Association of the Deaf. (C) Revised 2015 with All Rights Reserve

06/26/2026