Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center

What Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center does

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center, Inc. (DHHSC) is a Virginia-incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1995 that provides information, referral, and educational services to deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its service portfolio includes interpreter referral coordination, CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) information dissemination, the Technology Assistance Program (TAP) for free or reduced-price assistive equipment (administered in partnership with VDDHH), hearing aid financial assistance guidance, the Deaf Mentor Program for families, and community programs such as Signs of Fun Camp and Camp Sertoma. The organization also delivers free ADA-compliance presentations to businesses and private organizations.

DHHSC operates a regional service model with offices across Virginia in the Roanoke, Southwest, South Central, Tazewell, Staunton, and Winchester regions, anchored by its main office in Roanoke. Service delivery is conducted in person by appointment at local offices, with remote support via phone, videophone, email, and fax. The organization does not produce proprietary software or technology products; its technological footprint consists of assistive equipment distribution through TAP and basic web and social media (Facebook, Instagram) channels for community outreach. Interpreter services are facilitated through referral relationships with RID and VDDHH directories, with independent contractor interpreters setting their own rates (typically $25-$75 per hour) and two-hour minimum billing policies.

Revenue mechanics are entirely non-commercial: DHHSC depends on donations (accepted via PayPal) and volunteer contributions, with no disclosed funding rounds, government contract values, or fee-based service revenue. The organization is led by Executive Director Betti Thompson, with regional staff including Technology Assistance Program Specialist Deidre Hall (Roanoke) and Alissa Conover (South Central/Charlottesville). Core strategic partnerships include VDDHH, RID, the National Association of the Deaf, iCanConnect, and Gallaudet University, which collectively position DHHSC as a referral and service-delivery node within the broader Virginia accessibility ecosystem.

Name

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center

Legal name

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center, Inc.

Website

https://deafhh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DHHSC is a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides accessibility information, interpreter referrals, assistive technology distribution via the TAP program, and community education services to deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind residents across Virginia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Accessibility Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Deaf accessibility services
• Interpreter referral services
• Assistive technology assistance
• Hearing loss support services
• Disability community resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a small 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, DHHSC depends on interested persons giving their time and resources to help keep services going. Donations are accepted through PayPal.
2. Interpreter Services Referrals: Interpreter services are provided through referrals. Interpreters in the area work as independent contractors who set their own rates ($25-$75 per hour) and billing policies. DHHSC connects consumers with interpreters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DHHSC is a non-profit community services organization delivering accessibility resources for the deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind communities across Virginia. Its core offerings include information and referrals for sign language interpretation, CART real-time captioning, hearing aid financial assistance, the Technology Assistance Program (TAP) for assistive devices, deaf mentor programs, and free ADA-compliance presentations for businesses.

Product overview

DHHSC is a non-profit organization providing a suite of accessibility-focused services for the deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, and people with difficulty speaking communities in Virginia. Core offerings include the Technology Assistance Program (TAP) for assistive devices, CART real-time captioning services, and interpreter referral information. The organization also provides educational resources, Deaf Mentor Program support, hearing aid financial assistance guidance, and connects clients to community programs like Signs of Fun Camp and Camp Sertoma for children.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technology Assistance Program (TAP) A program providing free or reduced-price hearing assistance technology and assistive devices for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, administered through VDDHH with DHHSC providing local client intake, application support, and equipment demonstrations.
• CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) services Real-time transcription services that convert spoken content into on-screen text during lectures, meetings, conferences, and performances, serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals who do not use sign language.
• Interpreter Referral Services Referral and information service connecting clients to qualified sign language interpreters through RID and VDDHH directories, including guidance on billing policies, certification levels, and rates of $25-$75 per hour.
• Deaf Mentor Program Program providing guidance and resources for families with deaf and hard of hearing children to support their development, communication, and family ASL learning.
• Hearing Aid Financial Assistance Information Information and referral service guiding clients to financial assistance programs that help cover the cost of purchasing hearing aids.
• ICanConnect Program Support Information and referral services connecting DeafBlind clients to the national ICanConnect program for specialized assistive technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple Virginia regions served with dedicated local offices and staff

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDDHH provides online directories for interpreters, administers the TAP (Technology Assistance Program) for free/reduced-price technology, and provides resources for CART services. DHHSC works closely with VDDHH as a state-level partner serving Virginia communities.
• iCanConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program for DeafBlind individuals that DHHSC supports and refers clients to for additional assistance.
• Gallaudet UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGallaudet University is the premier university for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. DHHSC shares educational content about Gallaudet's innovations, such as their 5G-connected football helmet project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf: RID is the national professional association for sign language interpreters, maintaining directories and certification standards that DHHSC actively refers clients to. It is a strategic partner and a broader peer in the interpreter-access ecosystem.
• National Association of the Deaf: The NAD is the nation's premier civil-rights organization for deaf and hard of hearing Americans. It is comparable to DHHSC as a community-serving, advocacy-oriented organization, but operates at a national scale with significantly larger membership and policy reach.

Direct peers

• Hearing Loss Association of America: HLAA is a consumer-focused non-profit providing education, support, and advocacy for people with hearing loss. It mirrors DHHSC's community-services mission around hearing loss accessibility, though it operates nationally with chapters rather than regional offices.
• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
• Communication Service for the Deaf: CSD is a non-profit social enterprise delivering interpreting, advocacy, and technology services to the deaf and hard of hearing community. It directly competes with DHHSC's interpreter referral and accessibility services, but at national scale and with a stronger technology focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/HearingAndSignersGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/Deaf-and-Hard-of-Hearing-Services-Center-Inc-79939849620
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center