What Action Deafness does

Action Deafness is a Deaf-led UK charity, founded in 1897 as the Leicester and County Mission for the Deaf and headquartered in Leicester, that delivers a portfolio of specialist services for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities across England, Wales, and Scotland. The organisation employs 186 members of TeamAD (89% of whom are D/deaf, with 100% of governance D/deaf) and operates through 8+ physical locations spanning Leicester, Hereford, Pontypridd, Durham, Hartlepool, Walsall, Worcestershire, and Loughborough, in addition to a Hubs Connect community network across 15+ UK sites and 50+ service areas. Its service mix includes BSL/English interpreting (~15,000 hours annually), 24/7 care and support services (35,000 hours delivered in 2023), sensory support with Communicator Guides and Intervenors, equipment referral, employment support (including the Connect to Work Hertfordshire scheme), and Deaf awareness training.

The proprietary technology asset is AD 360, the UK's first BSL-driven customer service video platform, which enables Deaf BSL users to video-call customer service agents directly in British Sign Language without third-party interpreters and is offered to external organisations on a subscription basis. Sub-brands include Action Deafness Cymru (Wales), deafPLUS Services (advice/wellbeing/money/energy, integrated April 2026), and GDA Services (Gloucestershire, integrated June 2026); supplementary initiatives include SignTranslate, the Telephone and Translation Service, and Deaf Lottery UK.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of statutory contracts (Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, NHS Shared Business Services framework, Durham, Hertfordshire, Herefordshire, Hartlepool), B2B professional services (interpreter bookings, Deaf Awareness Training at £25 per seat, AD 360 subscriptions), social-care-funded direct payments, donations and fundraising, and Deaf Lottery UK ticket revenue. The organisation is structured as a charitable company limited by guarantee (Charity No. 1163758 in England & Wales; SC050670 in Scotland), with CEO Craig Crowley CBE and a Board of Trustees chaired by Alison Lewis. Growth has been driven primarily through five strategic integrations since 2019 (Deaf Direct, Walsall Deaf Community Services, Wales Council for Deaf People, deafPLUS, and GDA), alongside organic product launches.

Name

Action Deafness

Legal name

Action Deafness

Website

https://actiondeafness.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Action Deafness is a Deaf-led UK charity providing specialist BSL interpreting, care and support, sensory services, and accessibility solutions for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities across England, Wales, and Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialist social care and accessibility services for the Deaf community

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM), Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI), Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

Keywords

• BSL interpreting services
• Deaf community care
• Accessibility solutions
• Assistive equipment referral
• Deaf awareness training

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: One-off and monthly donations from individuals supporting the charity's mission to empower Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities. Donation amounts fund specific services such as communication tools, activities, hub access, and interpreter services.
2. Deaf Lottery UK: Weekly lottery programme where each £1 ticket provides 50% to chosen Deaf organisations, 10% to Action Deafness, with prizes up to £25,000. Attracted over 30 Deaf organisations as partners.
3. Statutory Funding and Contracts: Government contracts with local authorities and NHS for care services, sensory support, interpreter bookings, and employment support. Includes service level agreements with Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council.
4. Care and Support Services: Specialist care and support services for Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing individuals and people with sight loss, including 24/7 support, supported living, and extra care for older Deaf people, delivered via direct payment or social service referral.
5. Communication and Interpreting Services: Professional BSL/English interpreters, notetakers, lipspeakers, and speech-to-text reporters provided to organisations across professional, educational, healthcare, legal, and community settings. NHS SBS approved provider.
6. Training and Consultancy Services: Deaf Awareness Training (£25 per person), BSL taster sessions, accredited BSL courses, and accessibility consultancy services for businesses and organisations seeking to improve inclusivity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Action Deafness is a Deaf-led UK charity providing specialist services for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities. Core offerings include BSL/English interpreting, 24/7 care and support, sensory support, community hubs, the proprietary AD 360 BSL video customer service platform, BSL training, equipment referral, employment support, and accessibility consultancy. Services are delivered through community hubs across England and Wales, digital platforms, and commissioned contracts with local authorities, the NHS, and businesses.

Product overview

Action Deafness is a Deaf-led charity offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialist services for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities across the UK. The organisation operates as a platform of interconnected services rather than a single unified software product. Core services include Interpreting Services (delivering ~15,000 hours annually), Care and Support Services (24/7 specialist care, supported living), Sensory Support (Communicator Guides, Intervenor Services), Hubs Connect (community hubs), AD 360 BSL Video Support (UK's first BSL-driven customer service platform enabling direct video calls without interpreters), Learning Services (Deaf Awareness Training, accredited BSL courses), SignTranslate (BSL translation), Employment Support (including Connect to Work), and Equipment Referral Services. The portfolio also includes sub-brands deafPLUS Services (advice, wellbeing, money, energy support - integrated April 2026), GDA Services in Gloucestershire (integrated June 2026), and Action Deafness Cymru. Additionally, the organisation operates Deaf Lottery UK (lottery initiative) and an AD Shop for resources. The services are designed to work together holistically, enabling Deaf individuals to access the support they need at different life stages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Interpreting Services Comprehensive communication professional services including BSL/English Interpreters, Deafblind Interpreters, Relay-Intralingual Interpreters, Lipspeakers, Speech-to-Text Reporters, Notetakers, and BSL Translators for healthcare, legal, education, workplace, and community settings. Delivers approximately 15,000 hours of interpreting support annually. NHS SBS approved provider.
• Care and Support Services 24/7 specialist and personalised care including Supported Living, Deaf Extra Care (50+), Forensic Support, and Specialist Support Workers (SSWs) for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing individuals across England and Wales. Delivered via direct payment, social service referral, or self-referral. CQC and CIW registered with a 'Good' overall CQC rating.
• Sensory Support Specialist support for Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, Blind, and people with sight loss including Enablement Officers, Communicator Guides, and Intervenor Services to enhance independence and quality of life.
• Hubs Connect Community hubs across 15+ UK locations offering friendly, safe spaces for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing people to socialise, access support, and connect through coffee mornings, social events, and workshops. Includes D-Youth Hub for 12-18 year olds.
• AD 360 BSL Video Support UK's first BSL-driven customer service video platform enabling Deaf BSL users to video call directly in British Sign Language without a third-party interpreter. Features include video conferencing, live chat, screen sharing, waiting room management, and customisable branding for organisational clients.
• Learning Services Training programmes including Deaf Awareness Training, BSL Taster Sessions, and accredited BSL Courses (Signature accredited) for individuals and organisations to promote inclusivity and effective communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
• SignTranslate Bespoke British Sign Language (BSL) translation and editing services to make content accessible to everyone, including website content, documents, videos, and training materials.
• Telephone and Translation Service Free one-to-one drop-in support for BSL translation and help understanding letters and phone calls, available at Staffordshire (DEAFvibe Hub), Oxfordshire (Oxford Hub), Durham, and Hartlepool.
• Equipment Referral Service Assessment and provision of assistive technology including alerting smoke alarms, doorbells, amplified listening devices, baby monitors, telephone amplifiers, TV listening systems, and vibrating alarm clocks for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing people. Delivered in partnership with Leicester City Council, Herefordshire Council, and Hartlepool Council.
• Employment Support Personalised employment support for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing people including CV preparation, interview coaching, workplace adjustments guidance, Access to Work funding support, and the Connect to Work scheme in Hertfordshire.
• Accessibility Solutions Comprehensive accessibility services for organisations bundling SignTranslate, Deaf Awareness Training, BSL taster sessions, AD 360 customer service platform, and communication support booking to help businesses become accessible and inclusive under the Equality Act 2010 and BSL Act 2022.
• Deaf Lottery UK Weekly lottery supporting Deaf organisations across the UK at £1 per ticket with jackpots up to £25,000. 50% of each ticket sold goes to the customer's chosen Deaf organisation, 10% to Action Deafness, with over 30 Deaf organisations participating.
• deafPLUS Services Advice, wellbeing, money, and energy services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind people including advicePLUS (advice), wellbeingPLUS (mental health support), moneyPLUS (financial guidance), and energyPLUS (energy support). Integrated into Action Deafness on 16 April 2026.
• GDA Services Specialist support services in Gloucestershire including CYPF (Children, Young People, and Families), Training Services, Wellbeing programmes, Interpreter booking, and Equipment Service. Integrated into Action Deafness in June 2026.
• Action Deafness Cymru Wales-specific services providing specialist support for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing people across Wales, including local hubs, peer groups, and outreach services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000 hours of Care Support delivered in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• GDA (Gloucestershire Deaf Association)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Formal integration of GDA into Action Deafness family in June 2026, providing specialist support for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people in Gloucestershire including CYPF, training, wellbeing, and equipment services.
• deafPLUSflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Formal merger effective 16 April 2026 integrating deafPLUS services including advicePLUS, wellbeingPLUS, moneyPLUS, and energyPLUS into Action Deafness family, expanding reach in London and outer London areas.
• Step2Skills / Hertfordshire FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Government-funded Connect to Work scheme partnership delivering tailored employment support for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people across Hertfordshire. Action Deafness provides specialist, person-centred employment support.
• Wales Council for Deaf People (WCDP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Formal integration completed 31 October 2025, expanding Action Deafness Cymru services with new Deaf Outreach Services from South Wales and strengthening Welsh operations.
• DEAFvibe UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Formal partnership agreed in 2024 with DEAFvibe UK (Stoke & Staffordshire) extending Hubs Connect services and community engagement in Staffordshire area through DEAFvibe Hub.
• Leicester City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Equipment Referral Service providing assistive technology and equipment including alerting smoke alarms, doorbells, amplified listening devices, and TV listening systems free to eligible Leicester City residents. Action Deafness installs equipment on behalf of the council.
• Herefordshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Equipment Referral Service providing assistive equipment free to eligible Herefordshire residents. Action Deafness delivers home visits for assessments and drop-in sessions at Hereford Hub.
• NHS Shared Business ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved provider status on NHS SBS Framework for interpreting and communication support services, enabling NHS trusts and related organisations to procure BSL interpreting services through established procurement channels.
• Care Inspectorate WalescoreOthersRegulatory partnership for specialist support services across Wales regions including Powys, Gwent, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taff Morgannwg, West Glamorgan, and West Wales.
• SignHealthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeaf health charity providing mental health support and domestic abuse services referenced as partner resource for health and wellbeing support.
• easyfundraisingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership enabling supporters to shop online with favourite retailers through easyfundraising platform, raising free donations with every purchase at no extra cost.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Scope: Scope is a large UK disability charity providing information, support, and campaigning for disabled people. Comparable as a broader disability-sector incumbent whose Equality Act-driven employer and public-sector work overlaps with Action Deafness' Accessibility Solutions.
• LanguageLine Solutions: LanguageLine Solutions is a large global interpretation and translation provider offering video, telephone, and on-site interpreting across many languages. Comparable to Action Deafness' interpreting business as a broader-spanning incumbent on NHS SBS and enterprise frameworks.

Direct peers

• National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS): NDCS is a UK charity supporting deaf children and young people and their families. Directly comparable to Action Deafness' D-Youth Hub and family-facing services for the Deaf community, with overlapping BSL and family-support offerings.
• SignHealth: SignHealth is the UK Deaf health charity providing mental health, domestic abuse, and health advocacy services for Deaf people. Comparable to Action Deafness' wellbeing services integrated via deafPLUS and access-to-NHS communication support.
• RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People): RNID is the UK's largest charity for people with hearing loss, providing services, advocacy, and information. Directly comparable to Action Deafness as a national Deaf/hard-of-hearing charity with similar service breadth including campaigning and employer engagement.
• Deaf Direct: Deaf Direct is a Deaf-led charity providing services in Worcestershire and Herefordshire that merged into Action Deafness in 2019. Highly comparable historical peer illustrating the consolidation path and overlapping service mix of Hubs, equipment, and advocacy.
• Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD): RAD is a long-established UK Deaf-led charity providing BSL services, interpreting, advocacy, and community support in the South East. Closely comparable to Action Deafness' interpreting, community hub, and Deaf-led service model.
• Sense: Sense is a UK charity supporting people with deafblindness and complex disabilities. Directly comparable to Action Deafness' Sensory Support, Communicator Guide, and Intervenor Services for Deafblind individuals across multiple regions.

Emerging players

• Convo Relay: Convo is a US-headquartered video relay and accessibility service provider for Deaf and Hard of Hearing users. Comparable emerging competitor to AD 360 in the BSL/ASL video customer-service and accessibility-platform market.
• SignVideo: SignVideo is a UK-based video relay service enabling BSL users to contact organisations including NHS 111. Directly comparable to AD 360 as a competing technology platform for BSL customer-service routing and accessibility delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/actiondeafness
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIrgBE-8fHdHRzyHTDUQamw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ActionDeafness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/action-deafness
• Instagraminstagram.com/actiondeafnesscharity
• TikToktiktok.com/@actiondeafness

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Action Deafness