The Cork Association for the Deaf was founded in 1966 with the aim of purchasing premises for the social benefit of the Deaf Community in Cork. The dream was realised in the early 1970s when the Association opened its doors at 5 MacCurtain Street, Cork city.
The Association was greatly strengthened in the late 1970s when it amalgamated with the Cork Parents Council for Deaf Children. The Association has been to the fore in developing services for those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Cork. Effective lobbying and financial support from the CDA led to the opening of Our Lady’s School for the Hearing Impaired at Douglas, now amalgamated with St. Columba’s National School.
For many years, CDA supported a hostel for Deaf children attending the school, operated by the Sacred Heart Sisters at Bessboro. CDA were also the first organisation to introduce a dedicated social worker service for the Deaf. Charitable Status was granted to the Association in 1985 in recognition of the valuable work it is undertaking.
In recent years, a historic development in Irish society was the 2017 enacting of the Irish Sign Language Act into law by President Michael D Higgins…. read more about this defining moment of recognition….
ISL campaigners with Chair of the Joint Committee on Justice & Equality, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at Leinster House on Thursday 11th May 2017 in relation to the ISL Recognition Bill.
