National Aphasia Association

What National Aphasia Association does

The National Aphasia Association (NAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 by Dr. Martha Taylor Sarno and headquartered in Apex, North Carolina, is the leading national organization dedicated exclusively to aphasia awareness, support, and research. NAA serves individuals living with aphasia (including stroke-acquired aphasia and Primary Progressive Aphasia/PPAOS), their care partners and families, healthcare providers (SLPs, neurologists, therapists), and aphasia researchers across the United States. Its core offerings include a vetted national Provider Directory of 200+ clinicians, a monthly Ask the Expert Webinar Series, interactive virtual programs and support groups, the NAA Ambassador Program, annual events (Speaking Out Conference, Night of Aphasia Arts, Aphasia Awareness Month), Communication Support Teams training, and a research grant program disbursing $70,000 annually.

NAA's products are primarily informational, educational, and community-based rather than technology products; the underlying platform is its website (aphasia.org), which serves as the central hub for content, the provider directory, event registration, and webinar access. It does not develop proprietary technology but curates and recommends third-party AAC tools and apps. Business model is donation- and grant-funded: NAA relies on charitable contributions from individuals and supporters, partner-funded research grants (e.g., the Outdrive Aphasia-supported PPA grant), and modest merchandise sales through the Aphasia Marketplace. All programmatic offerings — virtual programs, webinars, support groups, and educational resources — are provided free of charge, with engagement distributed across website (320,000+ annual visitors, 60,000-100,000 monthly), email (20,000+ newsletter recipients), webinars (14,000+ annual views), and social media (22,000+ Facebook followers, 5,000+ YouTube subscribers).

Name

National Aphasia Association

Legal name

National Aphasia Association, Inc.

Website

https://aphasia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Aphasia Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that serves as the leading US national hub for aphasia awareness, support, education, and research, providing free programs, a vetted provider directory, webinars, and grants to people with aphasia, families, clinicians, and researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aphasia Nonprofit Health Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)

Keywords

• Aphasia support services
• Speech therapy resources
• Patient advocacy nonprofit
• Caregiver education resources
• Communication disorder awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Scarsdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: NAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 13-3411063) that relies on donations from individuals, families, and supporters to fund its programs, research grants, and operations.
2. Research Grants: NAA provides research grants to aphasia researchers including Barbara Martin Aphasia Research Grants ($10,000 each, offering two annually for 4 years) and PPA Outdrive Aphasia Grant ($10,000 yearly since 2024), demonstrating their funding activities.
3. Aphasia Marketplace: NAA operates an Aphasia Marketplace where branded merchandise is sold, with proceeds supporting the organization's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The National Aphasia Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides advocacy, education, awareness, and support services for people with aphasia, their families, and care partners. Its core offerings include informational resources, provider/resource directories, support programs (Virtual Programs, Communication Support Teams, Ambassador Program), educational webinars, an annual conference, research grants, and community-building events.

Product overview

The National Aphasia Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 13-3411063) that provides a comprehensive ecosystem of programs, resources, and services for people with aphasia and their families. The core offerings include the Aphasia Provider Directory (featuring over 200 vetted providers), the Ask the Expert Webinar Series, interactive Virtual Programs, PPA/PPAOS-specific support programs, and the NAA Ambassador Program. The organization also operates Communication Support Teams (CST), an innovative model for building communication networks, alongside research grants including the Barbara Martin Aphasia Research Grants and PPA Outdrive Aphasia Grant. Annual special events include the Speaking Out Conference, Night of Aphasia Arts, PPA/PPAOS Awareness Day, and the Martha Taylor Sarno Advocacy Award. The NAA serves as the central hub connecting individuals with aphasia to education, support, providers, and community resources across the United States, reaching over 400,000 people annually through its digital platforms and programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aphasia Provider Directory Online directory that helps people with aphasia and their families locate speech-language pathologists and other healthcare providers experienced in aphasia care.
• Aphasia Resource Directory Online directory of aphasia-related resources, organizations, and support services for the aphasia community.
• Aphasia ID Card Identification card for people with aphasia to help communicate their condition in everyday interactions.
• Ask the Expert Webinar Series Educational webinar series featuring expert speakers that provides information on aphasia-related topics for people with aphasia, families, and professionals.
• NAA Virtual Programs Online group programs offering community, conversation, and support for people with aphasia and their families.
• Communication Support Teams (CST) Program that trains community members and volunteers to provide communication support to people with aphasia in everyday settings.
• NAA Ambassador Program Volunteer program that trains ambassadors to raise awareness of aphasia and represent the NAA in local communities.
• NAA Research Grant Program Grant program that funds research projects advancing understanding and treatment of aphasia.
• Speaking Out Conference Annual conference hosted by NAA that brings together people with aphasia, families, clinicians, and researchers for education and community building.
• Night of Aphasia Arts Annual arts-focused community event that celebrates the creative work of people with aphasia and raises awareness.
• Davetrina Seles Gadson Health Equity Mini-Grant Program Mini-grant program that funds community-based projects addressing health-equity issues in aphasia care.
• PPA/PPAOS Programs Targeted programs and resources for people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and the logopenic variant (PPAOS), their families, and clinicians.
• NAA Aphasia Marketplace Online merchandise store selling aphasia-awareness branded apparel and accessories to support NAA's mission.
• Special Events (Awareness and Fundraising Events) Special events organized by NAA or affiliated community members to raise aphasia awareness and funds, including awareness month activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400,000+ people reached annually across website, newsletters, and social media
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Voices of Hope for AphasiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAA Board Chair Dr. Jackie Hinckley (former Executive Director of Voices of Hope for Aphasia) collaborated with the organization to develop Aphasia Simulations - interactive activities that help people understand what it is like to have aphasia. The simulations are hosted on Voices of Hope's website and available in English and Spanish.
• Keen ResearchcoreTechnology or IntegrationKeen Research collaborated with Dr. Jackie Hinckley to develop the Aphasia Simulations - interactive digital activities providing experience-based understanding of aphasia communication challenges.
• Tactus TherapyminorOthersTactus Therapy is recommended by NAA as a language-building app for people with aphasia. Listed in NAA's Apps for Aphasia directory.
• LingraphicaminorOthersLingraphica partners with NAA for virtual connection groups. Their AAC devices and apps are recommended by NAA as communication tools for people with aphasia. Listed in NAA's Apps for Aphasia directory.
• American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)minorOthersAMTA's directory is referenced by NAA for finding music therapists who can support people with aphasia through music therapy and participation in aphasia choral groups.
• Academy of Neurologic Music TherapyminorOthersAcademy referenced by NAA for finding specialists in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), which is often used in aphasia treatment. NAA recommends their directory for finding NMT practitioners.
• Sing AphasiaminorOthersWorldwide connection for aphasia choral groups recommended by NAA as part of their creative and engaging modalities for people with aphasia.
• Brooks Rehabilitation Aphasia CenterminorOthersNAA features members of Brooks Rehabilitation Aphasia Center (BRAC) in Florida through their Voices of Aphasia program, sharing stories of people living with aphasia.
• Aphasia Recovery ConnectionminorOthersAphasia Recovery Connection collaborates with Lingraphica on virtual connection groups and is referenced by NAA as a resource for support groups and Talk Tools for situational communication.
• National Aphasia SynergyminorOthersReferenced in NAA materials as a partner organization with peer befriending projects that connect people with aphasia.
• Stroke OnwardminorOthersStroke Onward's Stroke Monologues program is referenced by NAA as a public speaking and confidence building resource for people with aphasia.
• American Stroke AssociationminorOthersNAA collaborated with American Stroke Association to create a printable guide on communication tips for people with aphasia. Available in English and Spanish.
• Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)minorOthersAFTD is referenced by NAA as a resource for information on Frontotemporal Degeneration, which is the most common cause of PPA and PPAOS.
• Toastmasters InternationalminorOthersNAA references Aphasia Friendly Toastmasters groups as a public speaking and confidence building resource for people with aphasia.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Stroke Association: A US-based stroke-focused organization providing education, advocacy, and recovery resources. It covers aphasia as part of broader stroke recovery content and competes for similar donor mindshare in the post-stroke community.
• American Stroke Association (American Heart Association): A major US organization under the American Heart Association focused on stroke awareness, treatment, and recovery. It directly overlaps with NAA on stroke-induced aphasia content and has co-developed communication guides with NAA, making it the most significant incumbent peer.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): The largest US professional organization for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. ASHA's 200,000+ members include the SLPs serving people with aphasia, and it represents a major professional stakeholder in NAA's provider directory.
• Brain Injury Association of America: The largest US nonprofit serving people with brain injury, including traumatic brain injury that can cause aphasia. It competes for donor attention in adjacent neurological disability categories and overlaps on acquired communication disorders.

Others

• Lingraphica: A commercial provider of AAC devices and apps specifically designed for people with aphasia. It is an NAA partner for virtual connection groups and serves the same patient population through technology rather than advocacy, making it an ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Voices of Hope for Aphasia: A Florida-based aphasia support and awareness organization led by Dr. Jackie Hinckley (also NAA Board Chair). They co-developed Aphasia Simulations with NAA and serve overlapping community and education missions.
• Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): A US nonprofit addressing frontotemporal degeneration, the most common cause of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). It is an NAA referral partner and serves overlapping PPA/PPAOS patient populations with disease-focused content.
• Aphasia Recovery Connection: A nonprofit providing virtual connection groups and support for people with aphasia. It is a direct NAA partner through Lingraphica and competes for the same donor and engagement pool with similar virtual programming.

Regional players

• Aphasia Institute: A pioneering Canadian aphasia organization that originated the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) and Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA). Comparable in mission but operates primarily in Canada, serving as NAA's northern counterpart.

Emerging players

• Stroke Onward: A nonprofit focused on the emotional and identity recovery journey after stroke. Its Stroke Monologues program is referenced by NAA and overlaps in serving the psychosocial needs of the aphasia community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NationalAphasiaAssoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/NatlAphasiaAssoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-aphasia-association-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/naaaphasia
• TikToktiktok.com/@naa97352
• Xx.com/nataphasiaassoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Aphasia Association