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.

RID is a national membership organization representing the professionals who facilitate communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who hear. RID has played a leading role in establishing a national standard of quality for interpreters and transliterators. We encourage the growth of the profession, educate the public about the vital role of interpreters and transliterators and work to ensure equal opportunity and access for all individuals. The mission and values of RID are encompassed in our strategic plan, reflected in the statements below and incorporated into the actions and activities of all RID initiatives: Mission - What We Do: The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. promotes excellence in the delivery of interpreting services among diverse users of signed and spoken languages through professional development, networking, advocacy, and standards. Vision - Our Desired Future: By honoring its past and building a dynamic future, RID envisions a world where: - Linguistic rights are recognized as human rights; - The Deaf Community and the Deaf-Heart are vital and visible in every aspect of RID, the interpreting profession as a whole and among individual interpreters; - Interpreted interactions between and among individuals who use signed and spoken languages are as rich as direct communication; - The interpreting profession is formally recognized and is advanced by robust professional development, standards of conduct, and credentials.