Date: July 17-19, 2026
Where: Silver Spring, MD Civic Center
Who? Anyone who cues, has cued, or wants to learn to cue
Meet other cuers to celebrate 60 years since Dr. Cornett invented the Cued Speech system. NCSA is holding their summer board meeting in Silver Spring, MD and have activities planned for people and families!
There is no fee to attend events unless otherwise noted.
Please register before June 22, 2026.
Any questions? Contact info@cuedspeech.org for accessibility requests by June 30.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, July 17th:
- 9am – 2pm: NCSA Board Meeting
- 9am – 5pm: InsCert Workshop (Registration and fee required)
- 2pm – 3pm: Meet N Greet (for all ages)
- 4pm: Cuemmunity BBQ (Meadowbrook Local Park)
Saturday, July 18th:
- 9am – 4pm: NCSA Board Meeting
- 9am – 5pm: InsCert Workshop
- 9am – 5pm: Cue Classes (Registration and fee required)
- 9am – 2pm: Trip to the National Zoo (Free Entry Pass required: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit)
- 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Afternoon around Silver Spring, MD
Younger children: Playtime at the Silver Spring Public Library; Teens and adults: Sligo Creek hike (weather permitting) or Dave & Buster’s - 5pm – 6pm: Our Chosen Path Panel – Meet some of the people featured in NCSA’s new book!
- 6pm: Cues on Tap – Chido’s in Silver Spring, MD
Sunday, July 19th:
- 8am – 12pm: InsCert Exam
- 9am – 5 pm: Cue Classes
- 10am – 12pm: Cued Speech retrospective and the next 60 years
Registration/Payment Links:
- NCSA 60th Anniversary Event – please register if you plan on attending any part of the 60th Anniversary Event (no fee).
- InsCert Workshop- Register and pay for the InsCert Workshop
- Basic Instructor Workshop only: $175
- Instructor Certification Exam only: $175
- Basic Instructor Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam: $325
- Cue Class – Register and pay for the Cue Class ($40 Registration Fee)
- Cuemmunity BBQ – RSVP and pay for the Cuemmunity BBQ ($15 per adult, $8 per child)
Hotel Information
Hotel Reservations at the Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown using the NCSA group rate. Book your group rate for National Cued Speech Association (NCSA).
Parking
Hotel guests may self-park in the adjacent Wayne Avenue Parking Garage located near the corners of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. Guests may park on the fifth (5th) level of the garage and take the connecting sky bridge into the hotel’s lobby. Parking is $1.25 per hour with a maximum of $18.75 per day Monday through Saturday. However, it is free on Sundays, holidays, and after 11:00pm until 7:00am, Monday through Saturday. Cost is based on current 2026 rates. Parking cost subject to change based on county rates.
Event Descriptions:
NCSA Board of Directors Meeting: The NCSA Board of Directors will be holding their Summer meeting. This meeting is open to all.
Cue Classes: This class is for beginner cuers who want to learn to cue and/or improve their cueing skills. A separate registration is required.
Basic Instructor Workshop: This two-day workshop explores advanced aspects of Cued Speech, including practical applications and current best practices. It is ideal for participants newer to teaching others how to cue who want to strengthen and expand their skills or experienced cuers who want to stay current with evolving practices. Detailed information can be found on our Become an Instructor page.
Talks/Panels
- Our Chosen Path Panel: Hear from some of the 66 authors who contributed to the newly released Our Chosen Path: The Transformative Impact of Cued Language. This book contains almost 80 compelling personal stories and professional articles that offer insights into the myriad ways cued language is used in families, schools, and communities, with numerous stories from deaf native cuers. Additional book details are on the NCSA website (https://bit.ly/ourchosenpath). The book is available for purchase at the Cue College store (https://cuecollege.org/shop/) and online book retailers.
- Retrospective of Cued Speech and the next 60 years: Hear about the influence of Cued Speech over the last 60 years and future of Cued Speech in the next 60 years.
Events for All Ages:
- Meet N Greet: Come meet others in the Cuemmunity.
- Trip to the National Zoo: Join others in the Cuemmunity on a trip to the National Zoo. Participants will meet at Silver Spring Civic Center to travel to the Zoo together via Metro. Admission to the Zoo is free but does require a Free Entry Pass (https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit). Participants are responsible for transportation costs and/or any parking fees.
- Afternoon around Silver Spring, MD: Spend an afternoon with others in the Cuemmunity around Silver Spring, MD at the Silver Spring Library or a hike a Sligo Creek (David and Busters is alternative in case of weather). Participants are responsible for any costs incurred.
Social Events:
- Cuemmunity BBQ: NCSA will be hosting a Cuemmunity BBQ at Meadowbrook Local Park (7901 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815) on Friday, July 17th. Tickets are $15 per adult, $8 per child to help cover the cost of food.
- Cues on Tap: Join us at Chido’s (931 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910) at 6pm on Saturday, July 18th. Participants are responsible for any costs incurred.
