Swiss Association of the Deaf

What Swiss Association of the Deaf does

The Swiss Association of the Deaf (Schweizerischer Gehörlosenbund SGB-FSS) is a non-profit national umbrella association founded in 1946 and headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, with additional regional offices in Lausanne (Romandie) and Lugano (Ticino). It serves deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals across Switzerland's three official language regions, alongside their families, employers, educational institutions, and federal/cantonal policymakers. SGB-FSS pursues advocacy, legal support, accessibility, and sign-language cultural recognition through a multi-channel service portfolio. Its core digital assets are the signsuisse E-Lexikon, an interactive online dictionary containing nearly 19,000 video-recorded signs across the three Swiss sign languages (DSGS, LSF, LIS) that records approximately 1.5 million consultations annually with 106,000 unique users, and the signwise.ch E-Learning platform offering certified A1/A2 sign-language courses. Supporting products include the Grundwissen Gehörlosigkeit digital learning tool, Read to Deaf Kids literacy resources, family-oriented home sign-language courses, and the HUSER AWARD community-recognition program. Additional offerings comprise Rechtsberatung (legal consultation), workshops and webinars, the GanzOHR/écoute magazine, and institutional partnerships with PROCOM (sign-language interpretation), the World Federation of the Deaf, SVEHK-ASPEDA-ASGBA, and the Federal Office of Social Insurance UFAS under a 2024-2027 performance contract.

The federation is funded through a diversified non-profit revenue mix including individual and corporate donations (ZEWO-certified, with suggested tiers at CHF 60, 120, 240), annual membership fees from individual and 30 collective member organizations, course fees for sign-language instruction, federal subsidies, legal-services revenue, and publication sales. It distributes services through multilingual digital platforms (DE/FR/IT websites, social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X), a WooCommerce online shop, regional counseling centers, family forums, the annual Delegate Assembly, and awareness campaigns tied to events such as Deaf Week and the International Day of Sign Languages. The organization is governed by a Vorstand (board) and a co-leadership team established in March 2025, with Dr. Tatjana Binggeli as Director alongside Co-Directors Martina Gmür and Ruedi Graf, and oversight is exercised through member-driven delegate assemblies consistent with Swiss association law.

Name

Swiss Association of the Deaf

Legal name

Schweizerischer Gehörlosenbund SGB-FSS

Website

https://sgb-fss.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Swiss Association of the Deaf (SGB-FSS) is a 1946-founded national non-profit umbrella organization serving deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Switzerland through sign-language education, legal advocacy, accessibility services, and the signsuisse online lexicon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Sign Language Services

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990), Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM), Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)

Keywords

• Sign language education
• Deaf advocacy services
• Accessibility resources
• Disability legal advice
• Community support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations from supporters. The organization is ZEWO certified for charitable fundraising. Donation options include one-time payments (suggested amounts: CHF 60, 120, 240) and recurring support.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for individual and collective members including regional associations, organizations, and institutions.
3. Course Fees: Fees for sign language courses and educational programs. The organization offers home courses for families and various workshops and webinars.
4. Government Contract (UFAS): Performance contract 2024-2027 with the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS) for subsidized services.
5. Legal Services: Legal advice services for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals on matters related to disability rights, discrimination, and accessibility.
6. Publication Sales: Magazine subscriptions (GanzOHR in German, écoute in French), online shop for merchandise, and document downloads.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Swiss Association of the Deaf (Schweizerischer Gehörlosenbund SGB-FSS) is a national non-profit umbrella organization that advocates for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Switzerland. It delivers sign language education through certified courses, an online E-Lexikon dictionary covering nearly 19,000 signs across three Swiss sign languages, an E-Learning platform, family support programs, and legal consultation on disability rights and discrimination.

Product overview

The Swiss Association of the Deaf (SGB-FSS) operates as a nonprofit national umbrella organization serving deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Switzerland, offering a portfolio of digital educational products and community services. The core digital products include the E-Lexikon Gebärdensprache (signsuisse), an interactive sign language dictionary with nearly 19,000 video-recorded signs across three Swiss sign languages (DSGS, LSF, LIS), and the E-Learning platform signwise.ch providing certified A1/A2 level sign language courses accessible online within 6–12 months. Supporting these core offerings are the Grundwissen Gehörlosigkeit learning tool and face-to-face Gebärdensprachkurse. Additional services include family-oriented Gebärdensprach-Heimkurse, the Read to Deaf Kids literacy program, Rechtsberatung legal consultation, and Workshops und Webinare. The organization also runs the HUSER AWARD for community recognition and publishes the GanzOHR Magazin, all tied together through the main website providing access to these offerings and community information.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E-Lexikon Gebärdensprache (signsuisse) Interactive online sign language dictionary featuring video recordings of signs across Swiss German (DSGS), French (LSF), and Italian (LIS) sign languages, with approximately 19,000 signs documented.
• E-Learning signwise.ch Online sign language learning platform offering certified A1 and A2 level courses through E-Learning, designed to be completed in 6-12 months for certified completion.
• Grundwissen Gehörlosigkeit Digital learning tool providing foundational knowledge about deafness, designed to educate about hearing loss and deaf culture.
• Gebärdensprachkurse In-person sign language courses offered by the organization for learning Swiss sign languages.
• Gebärdensprach-Heimkurse für Familien Home-based sign language courses designed for families with deaf or hard-of-hearing members to learn sign language together.
• Read to Deaf Kids Literacy program and reading resources designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, available at deafliteracy.ch.
• Rechtsberatung Legal consultation service providing advice on legal matters related to deafness and hearing impairment, operated by the organization's legal department.
• Workshops und Webinare Professional workshops and webinars on topics related to deafness, accessibility, and sign language, offered to members and the public.
• GanzOHR Magazin Regular magazine publication providing news, stories, and information relevant to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Switzerland, distributed as a donation-funded magazine with German edition 'GanzOHR' and French edition 'écoutez'.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.5 million lexicon consultations annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swiss Association of Parents of Audiological Children (SVEHK-ASPEDA-ASGBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The federation signed a cooperation agreement with the Swiss Association of Parents of Audiological Children to strengthen support for families and children with hearing impairments. This partnership combines advocacy work and family support services.
• Fondation PROCOMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROCOM is the foundation providing sign language interpretation services in Switzerland. SGB-FSS works with PROCOM to ensure accessibility through interpretation, including the Easy Access service for spontaneous interpretation interventions.
• World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational umbrella organization representing deaf communities globally. SGB-FSS is the Swiss national member, participating in advocacy for sign language recognition and rights at the UN level.
• Federal Office for Gender Equality (EBG)minorOthersCollaboration on disability equality and inclusion initiatives at the federal level.
• University of ZurichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on sign language research. The university awarded Penny Boyes Braem an honorary doctorate in 2014 for her work in sign language research.
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint study with the university on the employment situation of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the Swiss labor market.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Association of the Deaf (USA): The NAD is the US national civil-rights organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, performing advocacy, legal support and community programs. It is the closest international analog to SGB-FSS in scope and mandate.
• Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V. The German national umbrella federation of deaf associations. Directly comparable in role, multi-state governance and advocacy focus to SGB-FSS, serving the DACH region's largest deaf population.
• Fédération Nationale des Sourds de France: French national association representing deaf people in France. Directly comparable as a Francophone national umbrella focused on sign language recognition, advocacy and member services.
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID): UK charity supporting deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus through services, advocacy and community programs. Directly comparable in mission, scale and service breadth to SGB-FSS.
• Inclusion Handicap: Swiss umbrella of disability organizations active in federal disability policy. Operates in the same Swiss disability-advocacy space and competes for federal subsidies and political attention.
• Österreichischer Gehörlosenbund (Austrian Federation of the Deaf): Austrian national deaf association, providing advocacy, sign language programs and member services. Directly comparable as a small-German-speaking national federation with similar structural challenges.

Regional players

• European Union of the Deaf (EUD): EUD is the supranational umbrella of European national deaf associations, including SGB-FSS via WFD affiliation. Comparable in advocacy scope at a regional level.

Broad incumbents

• World Federation of the Deaf (WFD): The WFD is the global umbrella of national deaf associations; SGB-FSS is a Swiss member. Comparable in advocacy and policy function but operating at an international scale.
• Pro Infirmis: Switzerland's largest disability organization, offering services and advocacy for people with disabilities nationwide. Comparable in Swiss-market scale and service breadth; broader than SGB-FSS in disability scope.

Emerging players

• SVEHK-ASPEDA-ASGBA (Swiss Association of Parents of Audiological Children): Swiss parents-of-deaf-children association that signed a formal cooperation agreement with SGB-FSS. Comparable in mission overlap (deaf community support) and increasingly integrated service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sgbfss
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sgb-fss
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sgb-fss-ch
• Instagraminstagram.com/sgb_fss

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Swiss Association of the Deaf