FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

About FSDAA

Florida School for the Deaf has over a thousand graduates and non-graudates, both deaf and hard of hearing. They are scattered throughout Florida and reside in many states.

The Florida School for the Deaf Alumni Association (FSDAA) was founded in 1984 by Mary Burns '72 and Wayne Bramblett '69. FSDAA has expanded nearly once to 300 members. The Association is goverend by an elected board of directors. It has a main reunion in St. Augutine and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind campus during the Homecoming events and Annual Membership meeting during the spring. Officers and members of this Association have been active in the progress of the organization and the Florida School for the Deaf.

Thomas Haines Coleman who was deaf founded the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in February 1885. In 1882, he wrote to the Governor W.B. Bloxham and recommended that a school should be established. The School grew from three nice wooden buildings in a five-acre property into 50 buildings on a 90-acre property. It is considered one of the largest deaf and blind institution in the nation. The institition is covered with giant oak tress and has Spanish style buildings.

In 1985, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind celebrated the 100th anniversary. The Association held the first fund-raising banquet for over 250 alumni and friends. Over a thousand people attend this special event on campus. In 1989, the FSDAA introduced the annual Homecoming event and remains active annually. Another historic event occured at FSDB was the museum in 1994.

The Association has contributed over five thousand dollars to two FSD Seniors annually for Scholarship awards, Eddie Gobble Memorial Pavilion, FSDB Museum, and other programs on campus.

The FSDAA is affiliated with the Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD) since 2001.

The Association will continue to promote projects such as Homecoming events, Membership Drive, webpages, 25th Anniversary events, and many others.