Deaf Survivor Services is a national program providing crisis intervention and ongoing advocacy to Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking.
Founded as a Deaf-led program, DSS is staffed by Deaf advocates and delivers services also in ASL through videophone, online chat, and texting. We meet survivors where they are culturally, linguistically, and on whichever platform feels safest.
We partner with Deaf-serving organizations, hearing providers, and community advocates to ensure every survivor can access the support they need on their own terms.
Mission
Deaf Survivor Services provides Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking with culturally-rooted, ASL-first crisis support and ongoing advocacy, conducted by Deaf advocates, on survivors’ own terms.
Vision
A nation where every Deaf survivor can reach safety, healing, and justice in their own language without interpretation, without delay, without having to explain who they are.
Deaf Survivor Services is a Deaf-led program at Activating Change, and built in partnership with ADWAS, DAWN, and DeafHope.
