The NCAD President's Award for Distinguished Service may be awarded to no more than two (2) persons during the Biennium. The award is made only during the Biennial Conference of the Association. To be eligible for the award, the following criteria must be met:

1. The nominee has been a member of the NCAD for at least five (5) years before the Biennial Conference:
2. The nominee has consistently contributed to the welfare of deaf persons throughout North Carolina; and
3. The nominee has consistently contributed to the improvement of the North Carolina Association of the Deaf.

The William H. Peace Golden Dogwood Award goes to a deaf or hard of hearing resident North Carolinian, who has demonstrated distinguished leadership and service to the deaf and hard of hearing North Carolinians in professional and civic leadership capabilities during the last two (2) years prior to this incoming NCAD Conference. This award is given in memory of the late William H. Peace (commonly known as Bill Peace) who was the first director of NC Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, and who had served in other leadership roles with Sprint, and in states of Georgia, and Florida. 

This Award is given to only a deaf or hard of hearing person at the biennial conference of the North Carolina Association of the Deaf. The nominating statement must clearly describe the leadership exemplified and services rendered for which the nomination is made.

The John E. Crutchfield Award, given biennially, goes to a deaf individual deemed to exhibit distinguished leadership and service to the deaf in North Carolina during the previous two (2) years. This award is given in memory of the late John E. Crutchfield who devoted his life to the service and betterment of Deaf people as a leader in North Carolina during the 1960 to 1975 period before his untimely passing. This award is given only to deaf person at the biennial conference of the NCAD. The nominating statement must clearly describe the leadership exemplified and services rendered for which the nomination is made.