What Hands & Voices does

Hands & Voices is a parent-led, professionally-collaborative nonprofit organization founded in 1996, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and dedicated to supporting families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) without bias around communication modes or methodology. The organization operates a portfolio of formalized programs including Guide By Your Side (GBYS), Advocacy Support and Training (ASTra), Leadership to Leadership (L2L), the HRSA-funded Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center, the D/HH Infusion initiative, and a network of 35+ U.S. state chapters plus British Columbia, Ontario, and Kenya chapters, with additional Provisional and Start-Up chapters in development. Technology is built around web-based content and resource platforms including the main handsandvoices.org site, the H&V Library at hv-library.com, the Deafed.net deaf education jobs platform (operating since 2003), the Virtual Waiting Room (VWR) for telehealth-supported audiology workflows, and the FL3 Online Academy hosted on Kajabi, supported by a multi-pronged data framework (National Needs Assessment, FEHDI Data Project, IFSE Learning Community survey).

Name

Hands & Voices

Legal name

Hands & Voices

Website

https://handsandvoices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Hands & Voices is a parent-led, 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1996 that delivers unbiased family-to-family support, technical assistance, and resources to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing across 35+ U.S. states, Canada, and Kenya.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and D/HH Family Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (6244)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Home Visiting & Parent Coaching Programs (EDACALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Speech & Language Therapy (Early Intervention) (EDACAFAB), Parent & Caregiver Training for IEP Navigation (EDAKACAJ), Communication Support Childcare (AAC, speech/language-informed) (HSAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Deaf and hard of hearing support
• Family-to-family support programs
• EHDI technical assistance
• Parent advocacy training
• Nonprofit family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (Journals and Resources): Direct sale of physical journals and resources via the Hands & Voices online store (qgiv.com). Fostering Joy Journal for Families and Fostering Joy Journal for Kids priced at $14.95 each (1-5 copies), with 10% discount for 6-24 copies and 15% discount for 25+ copies.
2. Conference Registration & Sponsorship: Annual H&V Leadership Conference generates revenue through attendee registration (e.g., 22nd Annual Leadership Conference 2026) and sponsor/exhibitor fees.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Multi-year cooperative agreements and grants from HRSA (e.g., $1,500,000 over 2021-2025 for FL3; $450,000 referenced award), HRSA/HHS Virtual Waiting Room support via AMCHP ($4,000,000 award totaling), ABE Endowment Opportunity Grants, and previous grants from Oberkotter Foundation, Hear The World Foundation, Gallaudet University, and others.
4. Individual Donations: Online donation channel via qgiv.com supports general operations, programs, and scholarships (e.g., Shine Bright Camp Scholarships up to $1,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Hands & Voices is a parent-led, non-profit organization that delivers unbiased family support programs, parent and DHH adult guide services, educational advocacy training, leadership development, and national technical assistance to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing across the U.S. and Canada. Core offerings include the Guide By Your Side (GBYS) program, ASTra advocacy training, Leadership to Leadership (L2L) cohorts, the HRSA-funded FL3 Center, the Virtual Waiting Room, the H&V Library, the Fostering Joy project, the Military Project, the O.U.R. Children Safety Project, the Latino Council, the annual H&V Leadership Conference, and the Shine Bright Camp Scholarship.

Product overview

Hands & Voices is a parent-led, non-profit organization offering a portfolio of programs, projects, online resources, and publications serving families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) without bias around communication modes. The portfolio combines a set of formalized core programs — Guide By Your Side (GBYS), Advocacy Support and Training (ASTra), Leadership to Leadership (L2L), the HRSA-funded Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center, the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Infusion initiative, and the H&V Chapter Network — with online resources such as the Virtual Waiting Room, the H&V Library (hv-library.com), Deafed.net (a deaf education jobs platform), the LEAD online course, and the FL3 Online Academy, alongside projects like Fostering Joy, the O.U.R. Children Safety Project, the H&V Military Project, and the Latino Council. The annual H&V Leadership Conference (managed through a Zoho Backstage event platform), the Shine Bright Camp Scholarship, the H&V Communicator publication, and an H&V Products online shop (with Qgiv-powered checkout) complete the offering, all designed to deliver family-to-family support, technical assistance, leadership development, and unbiased resources across the U.S. and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guide By Your Side (GBYS): Family support program using specially trained parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing who work as Guides directly with families. Includes option for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Guides (DHH Guides).
• ASTra (Advocacy Support and Training)
• Leadership to Leadership (L2L)
• Family Leadership in Language & Learning Center (FL3)
• Fostering Joy
• O.U.R. Children Safety Project
• Hands & Voices Military Project
• H&V Latino Council / Council and Forum for Latino Family Support
• Shine Bright Camp Scholarships
• Deafed.net
• Virtual Waiting Room (VWR)

Products and services

• Guide By Your Side (GBYS) A formalized family support program in which specially trained parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing work as Guides directly with families, with an option for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Guides (DHH Guides) who are deaf or hard of hearing adults.
• Advocacy Support and Training (ASTra) A Deaf and Hard of Hearing Educational Advocacy Program providing advocacy training and support derived from direct advocacy experience and the Hands & Voices Educational Advocacy Guidebook (©2013).
• Leadership to Leadership (L2L) A one-year leadership development cohort program providing current H&V parent leaders with training in personal leadership development, supporting and leading others, and systems-level impact, supporting Chapter sustainability and succession planning.
• Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center A HRSA-funded national technical resource center (April 2024 – March 2029) that increases state capacity for family-to-family support, develops family leadership skills, and engages D/HH adults as mentors across state/territory EHDI programs. Part of the EHDI National Network alongside the Implementation & Change Center (ICC) and Provider Education Center (PEC).
• Virtual Waiting Room (VWR) A web-based resource created for families with children who have been referred to or are in the care of an audiologist receiving services via telehealth, providing unbiased information, resources, parent guides, teleaudiology content, family-to-family support connections, and an "Ask a Trained Parent" form.
• Fostering Joy A family/professional project celebrating the joy of raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, providing support, resources, tip sheets in multiple languages, a Journal for Families, a Journal for Kids, an Open Forum webinar series, and a Joy Ambassador movement.
• O.U.R. Children Safety Project Observe, Understand and Respond (O.U.R.) Project — a Community of Learners of parents, family members and professionals that develops activities to increase safety and success of children who are D/HH, with a focus on prevention of child maltreatment, neglect, and abuse.
• H&V Military Project A virtual community connecting active duty and retired military families raising children who are D/HH to local H&V Chapters, supporting timely transitions of medical and educational homes across duty stations.
• Latino Council / Forum for Latino Family Support A project that helps expand existing efforts in local Chapters and at H&V HQ to serve Spanish-speaking families with children who are D/HH through pooled resources, thought leadership, and innovation around Spanish-language family support.
• Deafed.net An online jobs and resumes platform exclusively for deaf education professionals, in operation since 2003, where program administrators serving D/HH students and professionals looking for positions can post openings and resumes.
• H&V Library (hv-library.com) A web library of articles and stories from the H&V Community and guest authors, including content originally published in The Communicator, providing family and professional perspectives on the D/HH journey.
• Shine Bright Camp Scholarship A scholarship program providing up to $1,000 to support individual or family camp experiences focused on well-being for school-age children and youth who are deaf and hard of hearing. Instituted in memory of Jennifer DeConde.
• H&V Chapter Network A state/province-based Chapter network across the U.S. and Canada (with start-up efforts in additional locations), including Authorized, Provisional, and Start-Up chapters, with designated "Guide By Your Side" programs marked by asterisk.
• Fostering Joy Journal for Kids A print journal created for children who are D/HH to journal their joys and accomplishments with a grown-up, ideally an adult who is D/HH. Available in English and Spanish with bulk pricing. Price $14.95.
• Fostering Joy Journal for Families A print reflective journal for parents/caregivers of children who are D/HH to capture joyful moments on the parenting journey. Available in English and Spanish with bulk pricing. Price $14.95.
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Infusion An H&V program engaging D/HH adults across programs and projects, with sub-initiatives such as Casual Conversations and STEM Stories, and a DHH Advisory Council.
• H&V Leadership Conference The annual Hands & Voices Leadership Conference bringing family leaders together for skills development and systems-impact training, hosted via a Zoho Backstage event platform. The 2026 conference marks the 22nd annual and 30-year anniversary.
• LEAD (Leadership Enhancement And Development) Online Course A free online self-paced course for parents, DHH adults, and professionals covering three leadership domains: Personal Leadership, Leading Others, and Systems Leadership. Hosted on the H&V FL3 Center Kajabi learning platform.
• FL3 Online Academy / Self-Paced Technical Assistance Self-paced technical assistance content including DHH Adult-to-Family Support, LEAD, Data Collection 101 to Information Impact, recorded webinars, and the Hands & Voices Podcast Series.

Quantifiable outcome

• Family-to-family support enrollment increased by 20% from baseline (HRSA objective supported via FEHDI Data Project)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, secondary and minor.

• Implementation and Change Center (ICC) at Gallaudet University National Beacon CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo of three centers in the HRSA-funded EHDI National Network (ENN); the FL3 Center coordinates with ICC (Gallaudet Beacon Center) and PEC (AAP) to provide coordinated support to EHDI programs and stakeholders with shared goal of improving outcomes for D/HH children.
• Provider Education Center (PEC) at American Academy of PediatricsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird center of the EHDI National Network alongside FL3 and ICC; coordinates provider education for early hearing detection and intervention systems.
• National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) at Utah State UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-running research and implementation partner; conducted the FL3 National Needs Assessment, hosts the FEHDI Data Learning Community webinars, and serves as the National Technical Resource Center for EHDI. Previous grant supporter.
• Gallaudet University – RERC ProjectsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious supporter of H&V through grants and sponsored campaigns related to the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center project at deafhhtech.org/rerc/projects.
• Genetic Alliance – Baby's First TestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious supporter via 2014 newborn-screening projects.
• National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) "NSSLHA Loves" CampaignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrevious supporter via ASHA campaign promoting H&V programs.
• U.S-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious supporter via U.S. Embassy Moscow program supporting cross-cultural parent engagement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Parent-centered non-profit serving families of deaf/hard-of-hearing children in North Carolina and beyond, providing parent-to-parent support and EHDI education; directly comparable in mission, family-led model, and state-level delivery to H&V's chapter network.
• John Tracy Center: Non-profit providing free services worldwide to families of infants and young children with hearing loss, including parent education, preschool, and professional training; directly comparable in its parent-support, early-intervention focus and free-service model.
• American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC): Parent-led national organization supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families, with a focus on ASL/English bilingual education; serves an overlapping parent audience and competes for similar foundation and individual-donor funding.
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD): The premier civil-rights organization of the deaf community in the U.S.; while broader in scope than H&V, NAD intersects in EHDI policy, D/HH adult engagement, and advocacy for families with deaf children.
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): National consumer organization representing people with hearing loss, with chapters across the U.S. and a strong advocacy and convention program; overlaps with H&V in serving adults and families affected by hearing loss and in EHDI systems advocacy.
• AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: National non-profit serving families of people with hearing loss, with a particular emphasis on listening and spoken language; operates the AG Bell Academy and LOFT program and competes for the same federal grants, foundation funding, and parent audience as Hands & Voices.
• Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss: Non-profit supporting children with hearing loss in developing countries, including parent training and professional development; comparable in international chapter footprint (e.g., H&V's Kenya chapter) and family/professional education model.

Broad incumbents

• National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM): Utah State University-based National Technical Resource Center for EHDI; operates as the federally funded backbone for state EHDI programs and is a long-time research and data partner of H&V (e.g., FL3 National Needs Assessment).
• Gallaudet University: The only university for the deaf and hard of hearing in the U.S.; partners with H&V in the EHDI National Network (ICC/Beacon Center) and is a flagship institution for D/HH leadership, research, and policy.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Provider Education Center: National professional association of pediatricians; co-operates the EHDI National Network's Provider Education Center with H&V and NCHAM and shapes provider training on early hearing detection and intervention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/handsandvoices
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HandsVoices-2004
• Facebookfacebook.com/handsandvoices
• Instagraminstagram.com/handsandvoices
• Pinterestpinterest.com/handsandvoiceshq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hands & Voices