Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

What Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind does

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is a state government institution under the Alabama State Department of Education, founded in 1858 and headquartered in Talladega, Alabama. It provides education, rehabilitation, and employment services to individuals who are deaf, blind, deafblind, and multidisabled, serving more than 31,000 people annually across all 67 Alabama counties. Its portfolio includes three K-12 residential/day schools (Alabama School for the Deaf, Alabama School for the Blind, and Helen Keller School of Alabama), the E.H. Gentry Facility for adult rehabilitation, Alabama Industries for the Blind manufacturing operation, the Alabama Freedom Center, RISE Autism program, and a statewide network of ten regional centers offering early intervention and adult services. Core technology assets include assistive technology labs, Braille and large-print production services, and one of the top-ranked DeafBlind technology programs in the country. By law AIDB cannot charge tuition to Alabama residents; approximately 90% of its budget comes from Alabama Legislature appropriation, with the remainder from federal funds, sales revenue, and private donations through the 501(c)(3) AIDB Foundation. The organization operates with a consolidated administrative structure commanding what it describes as the world's most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program in its specialty, supported by an annual budget exceeding $80 million and an annual payroll of approximately $50 million.

The business model is structurally distinct from a conventional company: AIDB does not sell a product or service to customers in exchange for fees, but rather operates as a state-mandated provider funded primarily by legislative appropriation. Alabama Industries for the Blind is the one commercial arm, manufacturing paper goods, flight bags, screen printing, mops, and all military neckties for the U.S. Armed Forces, and operating supply stores at military bases in Alabama and Georgia. Alabama Industries for the Blind is the state's largest employer of adults who are blind and deaf, employing more than 200 such adults. Distribution occurs through six residential campuses in Talladega, ten regional centers statewide, public school outreach, and military retail outlets. The AIDB Foundation supplements state funding with private donations, contributing more than $1.3 million in direct funding in 2024-25 and more than $75 million cumulatively since its founding in 1980. The institution holds accreditation from AdvanceED/Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, CARF, EARCOS, the International Baccalaureate, and JCIS, and is described by The Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine as a leading example of disability education.

Name

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Legal name

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Website

https://aidb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1858

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

AIDB is a state-funded Alabama institution founded in 1858 that provides education, rehabilitation, and employment services to over 31,000 deaf, blind, deafblind, and multidisabled individuals annually across all 67 Alabama counties through six campuses and ten regional centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Disability Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), AT Funding, Procurement & Compliance Support (IEP/504 Documentation) (EDAKAIAJ)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Disability rehabilitation programs
• Assistive technology services
• Residential education programs
• Vocational training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Talladega

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Legislative Appropriation: Approximately 90% of funding comes from an appropriation from the Alabama Legislature. As a state entity, AIDB cannot charge tuition or room and board and does not receive revenue from local taxes.
2. Federal Funds: Federal funding through various programs supporting education and rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.
3. Sales Revenue - Alabama Industries for the Blind: Manufacturing facility produces paper goods, flight bags, screen printing, mops, and all military neckties for the U.S. Armed Forces. Also operates supply stores at military bases in Alabama and Georgia. This is the state's largest employer of adults who are blind and deaf.
4. Private Donations - AIDB Foundation: The AIDB Foundation, created in 1980 as a 501(c)(3), raises private funds to supplement state funding for facilities, technology, programs and experiences. In 2024-25, contributed more than $1.3 million in direct funding opportunities.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is a state educational institution that provides residential and outreach education, rehabilitation, employment, and early intervention services for individuals who are deaf, blind, deafblind, and multidisabled. It operates three K-12 schools (Alabama School for the Deaf, Alabama School for the Blind, Helen Keller School), an adult rehabilitation facility (E.H. Gentry), a manufacturing/employment program (Alabama Industries for the Blind), and a statewide network of ten regional centers serving all 67 Alabama counties.

Product overview

The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) operates as a comprehensive state educational institution offering a multi-campus, multi-program portfolio serving deaf, blind, deafblind, and multidisabled individuals of all ages throughout Alabama. The core offerings include three K-12 residential/day schools (Alabama School for the Deaf, Alabama School for the Blind, and Helen Keller School of Alabama), an adult rehabilitation facility (E.H. Gentry Facility), an employment program (Alabama Industries for the Blind), and a network of ten regional centers providing early intervention and community-based services. Programs span the full lifetime of individuals served, from infant early intervention through adult employment and senior services. The institution operates on a consolidated administrative structure with campuses in Talladega and regional centers across the state, providing education, rehabilitation, employment training, and assistive technology services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alabama School for the Deaf: K-12 residential and educational programs for deaf students
• Alabama School for the Blind
• Helen Keller School of Alabama
• E.H. Gentry Facility
• Alabama Industries for the Blind
• Alabama Freedom Center
• RISE Autism
• Instructional Resource Center for the Blind
• Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Arena
• AIDB Foundation
• Hawkins Chapel
• Reuben Asbury Society

Products and services

• Alabama School for the Deaf (ASD)

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves more than 31,000 individuals annually across all 67 Alabama counties
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pier 59minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for annual Christmas in July fundraising event. The 14th annual event in 2023 raised over $106,000 to provide Christmas gifts for students.
• AdvanceED/Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolscoreOthersAccredits AIDB's educational programs nationally.
• CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)coreOthersAccredits the E.H. Gentry program, ensuring rehabilitation standards are met.
• EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools)minorOthersInternational accreditation body that has accredited AIDB.
• International BaccalaureateminorOthersInternational Baccalaureate program accreditation for AIDB educational programs.
• JCIS (Japan Council of International Schools)minorOthersInternational accreditation body that has accredited AIDB.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults: Federally funded national center in Sands Point, NY providing training and services for deafblind individuals aged 16 and older. Directly comparable to AIDB's DeafBlind programs and Instructional Resource Center for the Blind, with similar specialized assistive technology focus.
• Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Indiana state agency providing K-12 residential and outreach education for students who are blind or visually impaired, plus early intervention and adult services. Closely comparable to AIDB's Alabama School for the Blind and Instructional Resource Center operations.
• Washington State School for the Deaf: Washington state agency providing residential, day, and outreach K-12 education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, plus early intervention and adult services. Closely comparable to AIDB's Alabama School for the Deaf and Regional Center network in scope and governance.
• California School for the Deaf (Fremont and Riverside): California Department of Education-operated residential schools for deaf students at Fremont (founded 1860) and Riverside, providing K-12 education and outreach statewide. Operates under the same state-agency, no-tuition model as AIDB, with comparable scope and regulatory structure.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic private nonprofit school in Watertown, MA serving blind and deafblind students from birth through age 22. Highly comparable to AIDB's blindness services, including early intervention, K-12, and adult transition programs, though Perkins operates as a private nonprofit rather than a state agency.
• Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind: State-funded residential K-12 and adult services institution for deaf, blind, and deafblind students in St. Augustine, Florida. Operates as a direct peer to AIDB under the same model: state legislative appropriation, no tuition, statewide residential and outreach programs, with comparable multi-campus structure and continuum of services from early intervention through adult employment.
• Rochester Institute of Technology / National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID): Federally funded postsecondary institution within RIT serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students with career-focused associate and bachelor's degrees. Comparable to AIDB's E.H. Gentry Facility and Alabama Industries for the Blind in providing postsecondary and employment pathways for the deaf community.
• American School for the Deaf: Founded in 1817 in West Hartford, CT, the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the U.S. Provides K-12 and adult services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students with a residential model directly comparable to AIDB's Alabama School for the Deaf.
• Texas School for the Deaf: Texas state agency providing residential and day K-12 education, outreach, and adult services for deaf and hard-of-hearing Texans. Closely comparable to AIDB in governance (state agency, legislative appropriations), service mix (early intervention through adult), and statewide regional model.

Broad incumbents

• Gallaudet University: Federally chartered university in Washington, D.C. serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center for K-12. Comparable to AIDB as a broader institution serving the deaf community but operating at the higher-education level rather than the K-12 and rehabilitation focus of AIDB.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aidbmedia2089
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlabamaInstituteforDeafandBlind
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alabama-institute-for-deaf-and-blind/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/alinstitutefordeafandblind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind