Empowering individuals with hearing losses in the U.S. and abroad.
ABOUT DDG
Deaf Diplomacy Group (DDG) is a boutique, bipartisan Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization dedicated primarily to advancing equitable policies, partnerships, and programs that improve the lives of individuals with hearing loss in the United States and abroad. DDG collaborates with members of Congress, relevant congressional committees, federal agencies, embassies, policymakers, international organizations, and industry innovators to address social issues affecting individuals with hearing loss.
A core component of DDG's mission is strengthening inclusive foreign assistance efforts for deaf and hard-of-hearing populations abroad. DDG also advocates before Congress and federal agencies on a broad range of domestic policy issues, working to advance legislation, secure federal appropriations, and improve access to programs and services that benefit the more than 38 million Americans with hearing loss and an estimated 430 million individuals with hearing loss worldwide.
*DDG uses the term "hearing loss" in an all-inclusive manner, to include individuals who may identify as D/deaf, deaf-blind, deaf-disabled, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and/or hearing impaired.
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Connecting your issues to policymakers in Washington & beyond.
Conversations on Capitol Hill among policymakers often exclude the unique views and lived experiences of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Individuals with varying degrees of hearing loss represent a significantly heterogenous population. These include both children and elderly, men and women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, sign language users and importantly, transcend a broad spectrum of racial and linguistic representation. These individuals often experience increased barriers which impact their quality of life and can prevent their full, meaningful participation in society.
DDG works to close this gap by serving as a trusted bridge between the deaf and hard of hearing community and policymakers. Through its foreign assistance efforts, strategic advocacy and direct engagement with Congress, including federal agencies, DDG helps elevate your priorities and advance policies that strengthen opportunities which improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss in the United States and abroad.