Partnership for a Better Future

Better Accessibility. Better Outcomes.

Accessibility benefits everyone. When people can independently use technology, obtain an education, find and maintain employment, access healthcare, navigate their communities, and participate fully in civic life, the benefits extend beyond the individual. Greater accessibility expands economic participation, strengthens communities, broadens customer markets, improves organizational efficiency, and helps public resources achieve greater impact.

 

Organizations that incorporate accessibility into ordinary planning, design, governance, and innovation are also better prepared to adapt as technology, regulations, and public expectations continue to evolve. Building accessibility into products and services from the beginning is often more effective and less costly than correcting barriers after they have already been created.

 

Innovation Through Inclusion

Deafblind people often encounter design barriers that remain invisible to other users. Their experiences can reveal weaknesses in navigation, authentication, communication, information architecture, physical controls, automation, and other systems that may otherwise go unnoticed. Including deafblind people throughout research, design, testing, and policy development helps organizations identify these challenges early and produce solutions that are more flexible, resilient, and usable for everyone.

 

DBCA seeks partnerships that bring lived experience into the innovation process before accessibility problems become established. By involving deafblind people as meaningful contributors rather than after-the-fact testers, organizations can strengthen both accessibility and overall product quality.

 

Philanthropy and Social Investment

Philanthropic investment can transform promising ideas into lasting change. DBCA welcomes collaboration with foundations, charitable organizations, corporate giving programs, and other funders whose priorities align with accessibility, civil rights, education, employment, healthcare, technology, independent living, transportation, research, public policy, and community inclusion.

 

We welcome opportunities to participate in Requests for Proposals, grant-funded initiatives, demonstration projects, research collaborations, and other efforts where the experience and perspectives of deafblind people can contribute to better outcomes. Philanthropic support can strengthen existing DBCA initiatives while also helping launch new projects that advance accessibility, leadership, innovation, and equal opportunity.

 

Developing the Next Generation of DeafBlind Leaders

One long-term objective is to revitalize a national leadership development program for young deafblind adults. Building upon successful leadership initiatives of the past, DBCA hopes to establish a biennial program that brings approximately five emerging deafblind leaders to Washington, D.C., for an intensive introduction to public policy, disability rights, civic engagement, coalition building, and leadership development.

 

Participants would meet policymakers, disability organizations, accessibility professionals, and other national leaders while gaining practical experience in advocacy and public service. Beyond the experience itself, the program would help cultivate a new generation of informed advocates who remain engaged in their communities, mentor future participants, and contribute to stronger deafblind leadership nationwide. Philanthropic partnerships will be essential to making this long-term vision a reality.

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Corporate, Research, and Academic Partnerships

Businesses, universities, and research organizations can partner with DBCA in many ways beyond traditional financial support. Partnerships may include accessibility education, user research, product evaluation, community engagement, demonstration projects, accessible technology initiatives, policy development, sponsorship, in-kind expertise, and collaborative research.

 

DBCA encourages research that includes deafblind people as meaningful participants rather than merely subjects of study. Accessibility should be considered throughout recruitment, participation, communication, data collection, dissemination, and implementation so that research produces practical improvements capable of benefiting both individuals and society.

 

Technology and Human Support

DBCA supports innovation that enables people to accomplish more independently through accessible technology and inclusive design. At the same time, technology cannot replace every form of meaningful human access. A comprehensive accessibility strategy recognizes the complementary roles of both technology and appropriate human assistance, including Support Service Providers (SSPs), in helping deafblind people participate fully in society.