The Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) is a non- profit organization established in 1938. They provide education, hearing rehabilitation and human services for the advancement of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. The JAD's vision is to have a fully empowered Deaf community which actively contributes to the nation’s development.

The Association, through their eight schools located island wide, provides special education as well as vocational training for Deaf community members. They also manage a Hearing Clinic, Social Services (which include transitional services, advocacy and a training unit that facilitates Jamaican Sign Language and Deaf culture education). Additionally, they operate a Fine Hand Bindery that is aimed at providing skills training and employment opportunities for the Deaf community as well as income generation for the Association.

Yearly, they embark on various initiatives to aid in the development of the Deaf Community in addition to their ongoing advocacy and education programmes. Their most recent initiatives include the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Social and Economic Integration of Persons with Disabilities Project, Teacher’s Academic Training (levels one and two) and the Advancing DeafKidz Project which is funded by Comic Relief and Deaf Kidz International. While most of their initiatives target the Deaf Community, they also aim to sensitize and build awareness among members of the general public.