Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V.

What Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V. does

Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V. (DGB) is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) and the federal-level umbrella organization (Dachverband) for the German deaf community. Founded in its current legal form on January 14–15, 1950 in Düsseldorf — with historical roots in the Reichsverband der Gehörlosen Deutschlands (ReGeDe) founded in 1927 — the DGB operates a federated structure comprising 16 state-level member associations (Landesverbände) covering all 16 German federal states, 10 nationwide specialist associations (Fachverbände), and over 500 member clubs (Vereine) collectively representing approximately 22,000 individual members and advocating on behalf of an estimated 80,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing sign-language users in Germany. The DGB is headquartered at Prenzlauer Allee 180, Berlin, with a correspondence address (Postfach) in Abtsgmünd, and is led by an elected Präsidium currently chaired by President Ralph Raule following the November 2024 Federal Assembly in Leipzig.

The DGB's core activities are political advocacy, community organizing, and information service delivery rather than commercial product development. It produces position papers and Stellungnahmen on draft legislation (e.g., BGG amendments, MedienInvestVG, GeDIG), participates in national and international bodies including the UN-BRK framework, the European Union of the Deaf, and the World Federation of the Deaf, and organizes biennial cultural events — most recently the 7th Kulturtage der Gehörlosen in Friedrichshafen (September 2024), which drew over 1,800 participants. Its service portfolio includes a barrier-free service directory, German Sign Language guidance, deaf culture and health resources (including the Gesundheitsordner), interpreter coordination, publications and brochures, and a 10-year membership card providing partner discounts and reduced event admission.

The DGB funds its operations through a combination of supporting (Fördermitgliedschaft) membership fees paid by individuals, associations, and companies; tax-deductible donations routed through the Bank für Sozialwirtschaft and Spendenbank; event revenue from the Kulturtage; and self-help funding. As a recognized charitable (gemeinnützig) organization, it does not pursue commercial monetization of its services, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Outreach is delivered via a multi-platform digital presence (Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, X, Telegram, WhatsApp, and email newsletter), the website, press and earned-media channels, and the in-person Kulturtage.

Name

Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V.

Legal name

Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V.

Website

https://gehoerlosenbund.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V. is the German national umbrella association for deaf and hard-of-hearing sign-language users, federating 16 state and 10 specialist member associations across over 500 clubs and roughly 22,000 members. It advocates for German Sign Language recognition, accessibility, and deaf rights at federal and international levels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fördermitgliedschaft (Supporting Membership): The DGB generates revenue through annual supporting (fördernd) memberships paid by individuals, associations, and companies. Members receive a DGB membership card (valid 10 years), discounted access to DGB events such as the Kulturtage, and partner benefits. The membership application form for 2026 is publicly available on the DGB website.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The DGB accepts donations from individuals and organizations. It is recognized as a charitable (gemeinnützig) association by the tax office, making donations tax-deductible. Donations can be made online via the Spendenbank portal or by bank transfer to the Bank für Sozialwirtschaft (IBAN: DE87 1002 0500 0007 4704 04, BIC: BFSWDE33BER).
3. Event Revenue: Revenue is generated through ticket sales and reduced entry fees for major events such as the Kulturtage der Gehörlosen (Deaf Culture Days), which in 2024 drew over 1,800 attendees. DGB membership cards provide reduced admission to these events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V. (DGB) is the German national umbrella organization (Dachverband) for deaf and hard-of-hearing people and sign-language users. It federates 16 state associations, 10 specialist associations and over 500 member clubs, providing political and social advocacy, information resources (sign-language guides, barrier-free service directories, healthcare folder), and major cultural events such as the Kulturtage der Gehörlosen.

Product overview

Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V. (DGB) is a non-profit advocacy organization for deaf people in Germany, not a technology product company. The organization offers communication services (newsletter, Telegram and WhatsApp infochannels), information resources (barrier-free service directory, German Sign Language guide, deaf culture resources), health services (healthcare folder, psychotherapy referrals), technical aids information, interpreter services coordination, publications, and membership cards. These services support approximately 80,000 deaf people and members of the sign language community in Germany through advocacy, accessibility resources, and community building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fördermitgliedschaft (Supporting Membership) Annual supporting membership for individuals, associations and companies, providing a DGB membership card valid for 10 years with reduced admission to DGB events and partner benefits. Application via a downloadable PDF form.
• Kulturtage der Gehörlosen (Deaf Culture Days) Quadrennial flagship cultural event of the German deaf community, featuring workshops, podium discussions, theater, a culture market, and a gala evening with the Kulturpreis ceremony. The 7th edition took place 18–21 September 2024 in Friedrichshafen am Bodensee and drew over 1,800 deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing participants.
• Newsletter Periodic email newsletter providing members and interested parties with curated information and updates about the DGB's activities, political developments, and deaf community news.

Quantifiable outcome

• Active in the political consultation process for draft laws; produces multiple statements (Stellungnahmen) per year (e.g., 2026: statements on Modernisierung/Digitalisierung Arbeitsförderung, GeDIG, MedienInvestVG, Verordnungsentwurf BMAS,AGG; 2025: statements on BGG, Kompetenzzentrum Gebärdensprache).
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Landesverband der Gehörlosen Baden-Württemberg e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Landesverband (state association) co-organized the 7th Kulturtage der Gehörlosen 2024 in Friedrichshafen with the DGB. It also independently ran the 'Festival der Hände' (Festival of Hands) event on September 21, 2024 at the Friedrichshafen lakeside promenade.
• Deutscher Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (DPWV)coreOthersThe DGB is a member of the DPWV, one of Germany's six major welfare associations (Wohlfahrtsverbände). Membership provides access to advocacy networks and collaborative structures within the German social policy ecosystem.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft der Hörgeschädigten – Selbsthilfe und Fachverbände (DG)coreOthersThe DGB is a member of DG (Deutsche Gesellschaft der Hörgeschädigten), which serves as an umbrella organization for self-help and specialist associations for people with hearing impairments in Germany.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft SELBSTHILFE von Menschen mit Behinderung und chronischer Erkrankung und ihren Angehörigen e.V. (BAG SELBSTHILFE)coreOthersThe DGB is a member of BAG SELBSTHILFE, the federal working group for self-help of people with disabilities and chronic illness, providing a key platform for advocacy and coalition building.
• Liga Selbstvertretung (DPO Deutschland)coreOthersThe DGB is a member of Liga Selbstvertretung (DPO Deutschland), the League of Self-Advocacy for people with disabilities.
• Deutscher BehindertenratcoreOthersThe DGB is a member of the Deutscher Behindertenrat (German Disability Council), Germany's largest coalition of disability organizations, enabling coordinated advocacy on disability rights at the national level.
• European Union of the Deaf (EUD)coreOthersThe DGB is a member of the EUD, the European umbrella organization representing deaf Europeans, enabling the DGB to participate in European-level policy and advocacy.
• World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)coreOthersThe DGB is a member of the WFD, the global organization representing deaf people worldwide, enabling international engagement and representation.
• Deutsche Gehörlosen-Jugend e.V. (DGJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DGB and DGJ co-authored the October 2024 joint position paper 'Gemeinsam für Vielfalt und Inklusion — #DGSistMinderheitenspracheJetzt', advocating for the recognition of German Sign Language as a minority language under the European Charter. This reflects a strategic alignment on shared policy goals.
• Deutscher Gehörlosen-Sportverband e.V. (DGSV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DGB and DGSV co-authored the October 2024 joint position paper 'Gemeinsam für Vielfalt und Inklusion — #DGSistMinderheitenspracheJetzt', representing a shared strategic commitment to the recognition of German Sign Language as a minority language.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private funding organization for disability inclusion and social participation. Comparable not as a peer organization but as a critical funder and ecosystem partner to DGB, having co-financed the new homepage launch in May 2024.
• Deutscher Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (DPWV): One of Germany's six recognized top-level welfare associations, of which DGB is a member. Comparable as a federated nonprofit infrastructure organization providing policy, funding, and advocacy coordination to member associations in the social sector.

Direct peers

• European Union of the Deaf (EUD): European-level umbrella for national deaf associations, of which DGB is a member. Directly comparable as a federation of deaf-member associations engaged in supranational advocacy for sign-language rights and UN CRPD implementation.
• World Federation of the Deaf (WFD): Global umbrella federation for deaf associations worldwide, including DGB. Comparable as a membership-based international advocacy organization working on sign-language recognition and disability rights, with similar governance by elected leadership.
• Deutscher Behindertenrat (German Disability Council): Germany's largest cross-disability coalition of which DGB is a member. Comparable as a federation of disability organizations engaged in coordinated political advocacy at the federal level in Germany, with overlapping member associations and policy goals.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft der Hörgeschädigten (DG): Umbrella organization for self-help and specialist associations of people with hearing impairments in Germany, of which DGB is a member. Closely comparable as a parallel federation operating in the same hearing-loss domain with overlapping member associations.
• Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband (DBSV): National umbrella organization for blind and visually impaired people in Germany, structurally analogous to DGB. Comparable as a single-issue disability Dachverband federating state associations, providing member services, and engaging in political advocacy.
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD, USA): U.S. civil-rights organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans, structurally analogous to DGB as the primary national deaf-community advocacy federation. Comparable in mission, federated model, and political advocacy focus, though operating in a different national policy environment.
• BAG SELBSTHILFE: Federal working group for self-help organizations of people with disabilities and chronic illness, of which DGB is a member. Comparable as an umbrella advocacy organization representing member associations across disability constituencies in German federal policy.
• Deutscher Gehörlosen-Sportverband (DGSV): National sports federation for deaf people in Germany, which co-authored the October 2024 DGS-minority-language position paper with DGB. Comparable as a national deaf-community federation with member associations, advocacy remit, and joint policy work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dgb
• Facebookfacebook.com/gehoerlosenbund
• Instagraminstagram.com/deutscher_gehoerlosen_bund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutschergehoerlosenbund

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 Deutscher Gehörlosen-Bund e.V.