OFO-IFA Competitors

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. The National Federation of the Blind believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power, influence, diversity, and determination to help transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people. Our democratically elected leaders and our diverse nationwide membership are made up of blind people, our families, and our friends. We are bound together by the shared belief that we are capable of achieving our dreams and living the lives we want. We support one another, act with courage and determination when we encounter barriers or experience setbacks, and engage in collective action to improve our lives.

Founded in 1979 by Howard E. “Rocky” Stone, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading organization representing consumers with hearing loss. The programs and events we offer are designed to focus on you—the person. HLAA strives to give people the tools they need to live more successfully with hearing loss and to show them they do not have to face hearing loss alone. The mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy. Our primary purpose is to educate ourselves, our families, friends, coworkers, teachers, hearing health care providers, industry, government, and others about hearing loss. HLAA provides adults and children with tools for self help; sensitizes the general population about the special needs of people who have hearing loss; and promotes understanding of the nature, causes, complications, and remedies of hearing loss. HLAA provides timely and reliable information about hearing loss through its website (www.hearingloss.org), its seasonal magazine, Hearing Life, the Hearing Life e-News, message boards and chat forums. HLAA holds annual conventions for people with hearing loss and professionals; the HLAA 2024 Convention is in Phoenix, AZ, June 26–29. The Walk4Hearing will take place in 21 cities in 2024 (walk4hearing.org). Find an HLAA Chapter near you at hearingloss.org/find-a-chapter.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD also carries out its federal advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations. The NAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of individual and organizational donors, including corporations and foundations.