The Madras Association of the Deaf (MAD), owes its existence primarily to the need of deaf persons in Chennai, to have a place where they can meet and share their problems.  The Association has grown in a big way, today it has over thousand members, thanks to the efforts of its past presidents like, Mrs. Tara Cherian, R Devaprasadam, Rev. Robert L Manson, Dr. U Ananda Rao, Rev. Sr. Andreas Lagae, Rev. Joseph Goodridge, Rev. Murdoch Mackenzie, S S Krishnamurthy and V Gopalakrishnan.

It can indeed be an inspiring sight, if one were to drop in to the association's office between 6.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and watch the small army of volunteers, who handle all the administrative functions of the association selflessly.

The founder members of the Young Men's Deaf Association (YMDA), are considered to be the spiritual leaders of the Madras Association of the Deaf.  S S Krishnamurthy along with M J Abdul Shukoor, Chokkanathan Chetty, A Radha Krishnan, G Varadarajulu, M S Jaganathan and T R Balasubramaniam started the YMDA. The seeds for this association were sown at a time when they used to meet on the lawns of the Ripon Building.  S S Krishnamurthy the founder recalls, "During more than half a century of this association's existence, it has gone through many ups and downs.  We have had to shift five times before coming to our present office at Santhome.  It was in 1966, when with the active support and coordination of Mrs. Tara Cherian, that YMDA and the Madras Deaf and Mutes Association merged to become the Madras Association of the Deaf.  For a brief period in 1975, the Association was a big exporter of handicrafts, batik paintings and other small items, which were made by the deaf.  As more and more members gradually got settled with white collar jobs all this stopped".

He added, "Sign language is the only link among them.  It is the common thread, which holds them together.  This bond cannot distinguish between religion, caste or creed.  They may not know each other by name, but every individual member is identified by his or her peculiar action, facial appearance, hair style or injury mark.  And if all this is not possible, his or her school roll number is used to identify the person.  You may laugh at this, but this is true".

The Association conducts a meeting for its members every Sunday to conduct a community life and study classes for adults.  In 1981 the Ladies Circle was started as part of the Association.  The Association, which conducts sports games for its members is affiliated to the All India Sports Council for the Deaf. 

Address:  Madras Association of the Deaf, 48, Santhome High Road,
Chennai 600 028.