We are a non-profit organization that has been serving thousands of Deaf and hard-of-hearing healthcare professionals and students worldwide since 1999. We provide information, promote advocacy and mentorship, and strive to create a diverse, robust network for individuals with hearing loss interested in or working in healthcare fields.
Founded in 1992 after a successful conference in Austin, Texas, Deaf Seniors of America, Inc. (DSA) emerged to serve the unique needs of Deaf seniors nationwide. Spearheaded by advocate Ralph White, DSA quickly evolved from a grassroots vision into a national organization. By 1997, DSA adopted its current name and launched New Horizons, a quarterly magazine for Deaf seniors. Since then, DSA has hosted biennial conferences across the U.S., providing education, community engagement, and advocacy. Despite setbacks, such as the cancellation of conferences in 2011 and 2021, DSA has remained resilient, embracing virtual outreach and returning stronger with its 2023 gathering in Florida. Through leadership, community spirit, and a commitment to inclusion, DSA continues to empower Deaf seniors to live vibrant, connected lives.
We help un-insured and under-insured cochlear implant recipients, in the US, with the ongoing costs of keeping their sound processors working to ensure they don't lose their hearing a second time. We also provide confidence coaching to support their emotional needs.
At Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund, we believe a person’s ability to hear should not depend on their ability to pay.
New England Homes for the Deaf (NEHD), founded in 1901, is a life plan community that offers continuum of care to Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing seniors, including independent living, rest home, skilled nursing community, Deaf senior centers, short-term rehabilitation services, respite care services and hospice care.
The New England Homes for the Deaf mission is to provide long term healthcare, housing, recreational activities and social support for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing individuals in an accessible, barrier-free and culturally-sensitive environment with optimal communication and architectural resources.
The Global Deaf Research Institute is a research organization led by deaf scientists, founded in response to a widespread lack of data on deaf populations. We believe that publishing data documenting deaf peoples’ lived experiences is a powerful way to improve their quality of life. GDRI’s flagship, the Deaf Community Research initiative, is a community-led research and advocacy project. In each deployment, we engage profoundly with the local deaf community and, with their guidance, perform a national needs assessment survey. We synthesize our findings to identify significant gaps in services and develop evidence-based recommendations tailored to the community's needs. We create training modules for local educators and deaf leaders emphasizing inclusive teaching practices and data-based advocacy, and build collective power for the deaf community not only by arming them with research, but by creating a network of deaf researchers and advocates that grows with each country we visit.
The Holley Institute was founded in 1993 by its current president Ardis J Gardella. Its mission is to assist the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing by providing services and programs aimed at improving their quality of life.
The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges The Center was founded in 1957 Its mission is to provide opportunities for people with physical challenges to enhance the quality of their lives The Center's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Department provides the several programs designed to provide accessibility and increase independence They act as an advocate to resolve issues of communication and remove barriers to resources.
Interpreter Services provides qualified interpreters statewide and match businesses, schools, courts, hospitals and other entities with certified interpreters. Deaf Services serves those who are culturally deaf by providing training and advocacy to meet both cultural and communication needs through individualized services group trainings and workshops One-on-one services include budget assistance assistance with written correspondence and forms medical guidance and advocacy and legal assistance. Group training covers a range of topics such as the voting process, enrollment in Medicaid, etc.
Deaf Defy, Inc runs humanitarian aid missions, bringing sign language, Deaf education, audiology and hearing aids to Deaf children living in refugee camps and areas of conflict. As of 2024, we have worked with 998 patients across 5 countries in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.
Our mission is to facilitate excellence in human service delivery with individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. This mission is accomplished by enhancing the professional competencies of the membership, expanding opportunities for networking among ADARA colleagues and supporting positive public policies for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. In achieving the mission, ADARA members are committed to: full access for members to all aspects of the organization's business, including Board matters, conference planning, presentations and journal publications, recognizing and affirming the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of the membership, and fostering an inclusive language community through the use of American Sign Language, signed communication, and other communication strategies used by all members at ADARA events in order to strive for barrier-free communication.
Located within the UMass Chan Medical School, the mission of DeafYES is to partner with the Deaf community to develop innovative addiction and mental health resources that are uniquely and expertly tailored for Deaf signing people. DeafYES provides culturally-affirmative, linguistically-accessible psychotherapy to Deaf clients, while their NIAAA-, NCATS-, and NIDCD-funded programs of research revolve around developing innovative, evidence-based behavioral health interventions and research methodologies.