Deaf Action
Deaf Action is a deaf-led UK charity, established in 1835 and headquartered in Edinburgh, providing BSL interpreting, social care, specialist equipment, BSL courses, and community services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals across Scotland and South of England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1835
- HeadquartersEdinburgh, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Deaf Action does
Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity established in 1835 and headquartered at 49 Albany Street, Edinburgh, serving deaf, deafened, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals across Scotland and the South of England. The organization operates as a comprehensive social services provider rather than a technology platform, delivering a portfolio of 16+ service lines that includes BSL/English interpreting and communication support (interpreters, electronic notetakers, lipspeakers, communication support workers), social care (community support in South England, social work in Edinburgh and the Lothians, supported accommodation, and a residential care home), specialist deaf equipment provision for homes and workplaces, youth services, employability support, BSL-delivered counselling and wellbeing services, and educational courses spanning BSL (taster through SQA Level 3 / SCQF levels 3-6), deaf awareness, lipreading, and digital skills. The Albany Street building also functions as a community hub, hosting Brennan's Library, the Blackwood Bar, community events, and cultural programming including the Edinburgh Deaf Festival and BSL Burns Week.
The business model is a hybrid charity model with two revenue streams: charitable donations and fundraising (individual donors, corporate supporters, community fundraising, events, and legacy giving) and service fees (BSL interpreting bookings, course tuition, specialist equipment sales and hire, and room hire at Albany Street). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within the deaf community, the deafaction.org website, BSL video content (including the 'Deaf Like Me' storytelling series), email newsletters, organic social media, and partnerships with other deaf and community organizations. The organization is incorporated as Deaf Action Ltd (a Scottish private company limited by guarantee, company number SC396876) and registered as a charity (SC009898), governed by a board of trustees led by Chairperson Rosie Addis and CEO Philip Gerrard. In 2021, Deaf Action merged with Sonus, expanding capacity under the Deaf Action brand, and operates with 51-100 employees.
Deaf Action firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Deaf Action
- Legal name
- Deaf Action Ltd
- Website
- https://deafaction.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1835
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Deaf Action is a deaf-led UK charity, established in 1835 and headquartered in Edinburgh, providing BSL interpreting, social care, specialist equipment, BSL courses, and community services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals across Scotland and South of England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Deaf Action industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Services for the Deaf Community
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM), Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI), Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)
Keywords
Where Deaf Action is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edinburgh
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Deaf Action business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Charitable donations and fundraising: Deaf Action generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporate supporters, and community fundraising activities including events, raffles, and appeals.
- Service fees: Revenue generated from services such as room hire, specialist equipment sales, and communication/interpreting services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Deaf Action product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity that delivers direct services to deaf and hard of hearing people across Scotland and South England. Its core offerings are BSL/English interpreting and communication support, social care (community support, supported accommodation, residential care), specialist deaf equipment for home and workplace, youth services, employability support, BSL counselling and wellbeing, and accredited British Sign Language, deaf awareness, lipreading and digital skills courses.
Product overview
Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity providing a comprehensive portfolio of services to deaf and hard of hearing people across Scotland and South England. The organization operates as a service provider rather than a software platform, offering face-to-face and community-based support. Core services include BSL interpretation and communication support, community care (social work, supported accommodation, residential care), specialist equipment provision, youth services, and educational courses (BSL, deaf awareness, lipreading, digital skills). The portfolio also includes advocacy, befriending services, health and wellbeing support, and employability assistance. The organization runs the historic Albany Street building as a community hub hosting the Blackwood Bar, Brennan's Library, BSL classes, and community events including the Edinburgh Deaf Festival and BSL Burns Week.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Befriending Service
- BSL Video Production
- Communication & Interpreting Agency
- Care in the Community
- Specialist Equipment
- Youth Service
- British Sign Language Courses
- Deaf Awareness Courses
- Lipreading Courses
- Digital Skills Training
- Hard of Hearing Services
- BSL Health & Wellbeing Support
- Employability Service
- Room Hire
- Brennan's Library
- Edinburgh Deaf Festival
Companies that use Deaf Action
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Deaf Action technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Deaf Action partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- GS-JJminorGS-JJ is an official badge partner for Deaf Action, providing custom enamel badges and stickers. Their contribution supports events, fundraising work, and community activities, helping enhance organizational visibility and community engagement.
- EWS Financial AdvisorsminorCorporate supporter who contributed to the Christmas Lift Appeal fundraising campaign.
- Gallagher Insurance BrokersminorCorporate supporter who contributed to the Christmas Lift Appeal fundraising campaign.
- TSB's Community FundminorCorporate supporter who contributed to the Christmas Lift Appeal through community fund nomination.
- Ecclesiastical InsuranceminorCorporate supporter who contributed to the Christmas Lift Appeal fundraising campaign.
- Lloyd and WhyteminorCorporate supporter who contributed through British Dental Association charity nomination to the Christmas Lift Appeal.
- Deaf History ScotlandminorCommunity organization that provided generous support for the Christmas Lift Appeal.
- Bonnetmakers and Dyers of the Trades House of GlasgowminorTraditional trade organization that supported the Christmas Lift Appeal.
- Albany Deaf ChurchminorLocal deaf community organization that supported the Christmas Lift Appeal.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Deaf Action competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID): The UK's largest charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, providing similar services including hearing aids, information, advocacy, and BSL courses. Direct competitor for donations, BSL training, and national service contracts.
- SignHealth: UK charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of deaf people, providing BSL-accessible health services, advocacy, and supported living — directly overlapping with Deaf Action's community care and health services.
- British Deaf Association (BDA): The UK's leading membership organization for deaf people, led by and for the deaf community. Overlaps with Deaf Action on deaf-led advocacy, BSL promotion, and community engagement in Scotland and across the UK.
- National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS): UK charity focused on deaf children and young people, providing youth services, family support, and education advocacy. Comparable to Deaf Action's youth service, family BSL courses, and deaf students information.
- Action Deafness: A deaf-led UK charity providing community support, BSL training, interpretation, and advocacy. Direct competitor in the deaf-led service space with overlapping service offerings including BSL courses and accessibility advice.
Broad incumbents
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People: UK charity training hearing assistance dogs and providing deaf support services. Adjacent in the deaf support ecosystem with overlapping fundraising and awareness-raising audiences.
- Sense: National disability charity supporting deafblind people and those with complex needs. Compares on deafblind services component of Deaf Action's portfolio and on supported residential care.
Regional players
- Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD): Scottish national body for the deaf sector, providing information, advocacy, and coordination across Scotland. Directly competes with Deaf Action in Scotland for deaf awareness training, advocacy, and policy engagement.
Emerging players
- Deafblind UK: Specialist UK charity supporting people with combined sight and hearing loss. Overlaps with Deaf Action's deafened and deafblind customer segment and supported accommodation services.
- Remark! (Remarkable Signs / Remark Interpreting): Social enterprise providing BSL interpreting, translation, and deaf-led services across the UK. Direct competitor in the BSL/English interpreting agency space and a comparable deaf-led service provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Deaf Action social profiles
Digital presenceDeaf Action financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Deaf Action leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Deaf Action funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Deaf Action M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Deaf Action
What does Deaf Action do?
Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity that delivers direct services to deaf and hard of hearing people across Scotland and South England. Its core offerings are BSL/English interpreting and communication support, social care (community support, supported accommodation, residential care), specialist deaf equipment for home and workplace, youth services, employability support, BSL counselling and wellbeing, and accredited British Sign Language, deaf awareness, lipreading and digital skills courses.
Is Deaf Action a public or private company?
Deaf Action is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Deaf Action founded?
Deaf Action was founded in 1835. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Deaf Action based?
Deaf Action is headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Deaf Action make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Charitable donations and fundraising is the primary driver. The others are service fees.
Who are Deaf Action's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), SignHealth, British Deaf Association (BDA), National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) and Action Deafness. Broad incumbents are Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Sense. Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD) is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Deafblind UK and Remark! (Remarkable Signs / Remark Interpreting).
Does Deaf Action have an API?
No public API is recorded for Deaf Action.
What industry is Deaf Action in?
Deaf Action's product category is Social Services for the Deaf Community. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of EDALAGAD, Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8300.