American Association of the DeafBlind

What American Association of the DeafBlind does

The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) is a 501(c)(3) national consumer organization founded in 1937 (as the American League for the Deaf-Blind) and renamed in 1979, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland with 1–10 employees. It is governed by a board of directors the majority of whom are themselves deaf-blind, and it serves as the only national membership organization "of, by, and for" deaf-blind Americans and their supporters, addressing a population estimated at roughly 70,000 today (down from a 1982 figure of 730,000 across dual sensory-loss categories).

AADB's portfolio is non-technological and centered on advocacy, information clearinghouse services, and community programming. Core "products" include the Deaf-Blind American (DBA) quarterly magazine (available in large print, Braille, disk, and email), the AADB E-News newsletter, the AADB-L email listserv (hosted on Google Groups), and a biennial National Symposium drawing over 600 attendees. The organization also produces the SSP (Support Service Provider) white paper and resources, emergency preparedness fact sheets, technology guidance articles, and youth programming at symposiums. There is no proprietary software, no API, no app, and no paid technology product; AADB does not operate as a SaaS or platform business.

Its revenue model is a hybrid of individual and organizational membership dues ($15–$500 depending on tier and term), tax-deductible donations, grants, and event sponsorships from aligned organizations such as Sorenson VRS, Verizon, and Gallaudet University. Distribution is primarily direct via the aadb.org website, Facebook, Twitter, email, biennial in-person symposiums, and partnerships with peer organizations (TDI, NAD, HKNC, NFB, RID, and the Deaf Blind Service Center of Seattle). The organization's strategic positioning is best characterized as advocacy and community infrastructure rather than commercial enterprise.

Name

American Association of the DeafBlind

Legal name

American Association of the Deaf-Blind

Website

https://aadb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) is a 501(c)(3) national consumer membership organization serving deaf-blind Americans and their supporters through advocacy, publications, the AADB-L listserv, biennial symposiums, and Support Service Provider (SSP) program resources, governed by a majority deaf-blind board.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Livingston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Individual and organizational membership dues provide recurring revenue. Membership categories include Active (for deaf-blind individuals), Associate (for supporters), International, and Lifetime memberships. Dues range from $15 for one year to $500 for lifetime membership.
2. Grants and Donations: AADB receives funding from grants and tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. Event Sponsorships: National symposiums and conferences are funded through sponsorships from organizations like Sorenson VRS, Verizon, Gallaudet University, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AADB is a national consumer organization that serves as an information clearinghouse and advocacy body for deaf-blind Americans. It publishes The Deaf-Blind American (DBA) magazine and E-News, operates the AADB-L ListServ, hosts annual National Symposia, provides Support Service Provider (SSP) resources and white papers, and runs community programs including teen/young adult initiatives and the Walk-A-Thon fundraiser.

Product overview

AADB operates as a membership-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs and publications for deaf-blind Americans. Core offerings include The Deaf-Blind American (DBA) quarterly magazine and AADB E-News newsletter for member communication; the AADB-L ListServ for online member discussions; national symposia/conferences providing education and networking; Teen/Young Adult Programs for youth development; SSP white papers and resources defining support service provider standards; emergency preparedness and technology information resources; and periodic Walk-A-Thon fundraisers supporting SSP services at conferences. The organization does not offer a technology product or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deaf-Blind American (DBA): Official quarterly magazine of AADB available in large print, Braille, disk and email
• AADB E-News
• Support Service Provider (SSP) Program
• AADB National Symposium

Products and services

• The Deaf-Blind American (DBA) magazine The flagship print and digital publication of AADB, distributed to members, featuring articles, advocacy updates, and community news for deaf-blind Americans.
• AADB E-News Periodic electronic newsletter sent to members and supporters, providing timely updates on advocacy, events, and community news for the deaf-blind community.
• AADB-L ListServ An email-based discussion list (Google Groups) that enables members of the deaf-blind community and supporters to share information, ask questions, and network with peers.
• AADB National Symposia Annual multi-day national conference hosted in different U.S. cities, providing educational sessions, workshops, networking, and advocacy updates for deaf-blind individuals, families, and professionals.
• SSP Resources White Paper White paper resource explaining and promoting the role of Support Service Providers (SSPs) who assist deaf-blind individuals, available through AADB's information clearinghouse for consumers and professionals.
• Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser Annual fundraising event organized by AADB to raise operational support for the organization's advocacy and community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 attendees at 2011 National Symposium
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deaf Blind Service Center of SeattlecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Began the National SSP Pilot Project with AADB in 2004, with support from HKNC, to make SSP services available for all deaf-blind people who need them nationwide.
• TDI (Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with TDI on COVID-19 response guidelines for deaf-blind individuals and healthcare professionals. TDI has a Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) program that AADB references for emergency preparedness resources.
• NAD (National Association of the Deaf)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy partner on deaf-blind issues. Collaborated on COVID-19 response letter and interpreter certification concerns. NAD represents the broader deaf community on shared access issues.
• HKNC (Helen Keller National Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for SSP services and deaf-blind youth and adults programs. HKNC was authorized by an act of U.S. Congress in 1967. Collaborated on National SSP Pilot Project.
• NFB (National Federation of the Blind)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on COVID-19 response guidelines for deaf-blind individuals. NFB focuses on blindness community and shares resources on accessibility and independence.
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAADB is part of the National Task Force on Deaf-Blind Interpreting, a collaboration between AADB, RID, and National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers to enhance interpreting services quality.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell): National nonprofit serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals, particularly those using listening and spoken language. Operates with similar membership and advocacy model to AADB and serves an adjacent sensory-disability population.
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID): National professional membership organization for sign language interpreters. AADB is part of RID's National Task Force on Deaf-Blind Interpreting, making it a direct peer in the deaf-blind service ecosystem.
• American Council of the Blind (ACB): National consumer advocacy organization representing blind and visually impaired Americans. Comparable structure as a member-led nonprofit serving a sensory disability population with overlapping accessibility and advocacy concerns.
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit providing services and advocacy for blind and visually impaired Americans. Comparable mission, structure, and constituency overlap with AADB on the vision-loss side of the deaf-blind population.
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): The national membership network of Protection & Advocacy systems and Client Assistance Programs for people with disabilities. Operates with a comparable federally-tethered advocacy and member-services model across the broader disability community.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): The largest national consumer advocacy organization representing blind Americans. AADB partnered with NFB on COVID-19 guidelines for deaf-blind individuals and shares overlapping accessibility and independence missions.
• TDI (Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.): National consumer advocacy organization for deaf and hard of hearing Americans focused on telecommunications access. AADB collaborated with TDI on COVID-19 healthcare response guidelines and emergency preparedness resources (CEPIN program).
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD): The leading national consumer advocacy organization for the broader deaf community. AADB is an explicit advocacy partner with NAD on joint COVID-19 response and interpreter certification issues, and they co-serve overlapping accessibility missions.
• Helen Keller National Center (HKNC): Federally authorized national center serving deaf-blind youth and adults. HKNC was authorized by an act of U.S. Congress in 1967 and collaborates with AADB on the National SSP Pilot Project, making it the closest direct peer in mission and scope.

Emerging players

• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic institution serving students who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired, with growing programs in deafblind services. Provides direct educational services to a subset of AADB's potential membership, including deafblind youth programs.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AADB_Deafblind
• Facebookfacebook.com/AADB1937
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-association-of-the-deaf-blind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Association of the DeafBlind