Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing

Founded in 1887 by Alexander Graham Bell, AG Bell initially started as the Volta Bureau, focusing on improving education and welfare for the deaf. While Bell is best known for inventing the telephone, he dedicated much of his life to supporting the deaf and hard of hearing, especially children.

Today, AG Bell operates from the original Volta Bureau building in Washington, DC, continuing its mission to help deaf and hard of hearing children hear, speak, and thrive.

Our Mission

A life without limits for everyone with hearing loss

We work globally to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and talk.

Our dream is that all families to be informed and supported, professionals to be appropriately qualified to teach and help children with hearing loss, public policy leaders to effectively address the needs of people with hearing loss, and communities to be empowered to help their neighbors with hearing loss succeed.