About MDSC

Who we are:  Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens, Inc. is an educational and social organization of and for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind senior citizens. The method of communication during these gatherings is primarily American Sign Language. MDSC is a 501(C)(3) corporation. Donations to MDSC may be claimed for federal income tax purposes to the extent of the law.  

What we do:  A Senior Citizen Event is held on every third Thursday of the month from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM except for July and August. Events consist of socializing, guest lecturers and games. Lunch is currently "Bring your own Brown Bag" with only drinks being served. Occasional exceptions are made and a full lunch is served. 

Membership Fee:  Membership is open to all deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind persons 50 years old or older. Membership dues are $25.00 per year. A membership year is considered July 1 through June 30 of the following year. This fee covers the cost of program speakers, interpreters, web page hosting and overhead. To expedite membership sign up at the first meeting in September, please download the Membership Application Form (PDF Format), print it, complete it and mail it with your check to: 

                                           Joy Larson, MDSC Treasurer      

                                           14416 Bauer Drive

                                           Rockville, MD 20853

Make checks payable to MDSC. If you can not print the form or write a check, you can sign up at the next event that you attend.

Admission Fees:  Admission is charged at the door each month to cover the cost of refreshments, prizes, room rental and porter tip.

Admission fee for members is $5.00 and the fee for local visitors is $10.00. 

A fee of $5.00 will be charged to guests who live outside the tri-state area (DC, MD, and VA) and to local people who are attending an MDSC for the first time only.

MDSC History:  On November 3, 1976, at a church in Silver Spring, Maryland, forty-one people voted to create the Senior Citizens Club of the Deaf, which, years later, was renamed the Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens.

For the next 20 years, MDSC moved from one location to another in its search for a room large enough to accommodate its increasing membership.  In 1999, the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center offered MDSC President Rudolph Hines a room in Argyle House, the “house up the hill.”  Since then, MDSC events were held at the house every month.

These events were so popular that the membership continued to expand.  This eventually caused the fire regulations to limit the number of those present.  In 2003, Joseph Rose, who was then president, was informed that the MDSC could use the largest room in the Center.  In February 2004, the first MDSC meeting was held there.  Today, about 100-150 members attend a MDSC event every third Thursday of the month at the Center.

In April 2008 MDSC was awarded non-profit status and became a 501(C)(3) corporation. Donations to MDSC may be claimed for federal income tax purposes to the extent of the law. Click for donation form (PDF Format). 

Last update 9/27/2011