Your access rights are non-negotiable.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing people are entitled to equal access in schools, workplaces, and public spaces — by law. Ava helps you understand your rights, request accommodations with confidence, and advocates on your behalf when barriers arise.

466M

People worldwide live with disabling hearing loss every day

1 in 3

DHH employees never disclose their hearing loss at work

⚖️

ADA · IDEA

Federal laws protect your right to equal access — and most organizations don't know the details

99%

Ava Scribe caption accuracy — ADA-grade

How Advocacy Works

Three steps from barrier to breakthrough

Whether you're facing a denial at school, a pushback at work, or a gap in access at a public event — here's how the path forward looks.

Step 1
Know what you're owed
The ADA, IDEA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act lay out concrete entitlements — not suggestions. Because federal law strictly protects your rights, learn exactly what accommodations you're legally entitled to in your specific context: school, employer, or public venue.

Step 2
Request with clarity and confidence
Be specific: don't just ask for "better communication." Name the accommodation — Ava live captions, an ASL interpreter, conversation summaries. Put it in writing, document the date, and keep a copy. Vagueness is the most common reason accommodations are denied.

Step 3
Ava backs you up
And it's easy. Fill out the simple form below today. Our advocacy team reviews your situation carefully and can send the request on your behalf, or provide a letter you send yourself. And we'll give you a free trial of Ava Pro to show the solution in action so you get equal communication access faster.

Ready to start? Our team reviews every request and responds quickly.

Your Entitlements

What you're entitled to — by context

Access rights aren't one-size-fits-all. The laws that protect you differ depending on where you are and what role you hold.

🏫In Schools

Education: equal access for every student

• IDEA
• ADA Title II
• Section 504

Public schools and universities must remove communication barriers and provide comprehensive accessibility accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Under IDEA, students are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment. Under ADA Title II, public universities and K-12 schools cannot deny effective communication access.

• ✓Real-time captions (CART) or an ASL interpreter for lectures
• ✓Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan
• ✓Works across devices in any setting -- total access

💼At Work

Employment: reasonable accommodation is your right

• ADA Title I
• Section 501
• CVAA

Any employer with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations allowing you to perform your job without barriers. This covers all-hands meetings, one-on-ones, trainings, and digital tools. "Reasonable" means effective for you — not just what's cheapest for them. And employers must consider an applicant's or employee's preferred communication method.

• ✓Live captions or CART for all meetings and trainings
• ✓Sign language interpreter for key communications
• ✓99% caption accuracy with Ava Scribe

🏛️In Public Spaces

Public access: no one gets to shut you out

• ADA Title III
• Title II (gov)
• 21st Century CA

Restaurants, theaters, hospitals, government offices, and event organizers must provide equally effective communication access to ensure complete inclusion across all public settings without exception. This is no longer about bare-minimum support — it means making whatever adjustments are necessary so you can participate fully alongside hearing attendees.

• ✓Real-time captions for public broadcasts and emergency alerts
• ✓Captioned presentations at public events and conferences
• ✓Interpreters at government hearings and medical appointments

Know your rights — now put them to work. Ava can contact your school or employer on your behalf.

Guides & Resources

From the experts...

Deep dives from the Ava team and trusted external organizations on the laws, strategies, and tools that matter most.

• Self-Advocacy: A Complete Guide to Self-Advocacy for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Community — Eleven concrete strategies for understanding your rights, communicating your needs, documenting your requests, and knowing when to escalate.

• Workplace Rights: Navigating Workplace Rights Under Title I of the ADA — A step-by-step breakdown of what "reasonable accommodation" really means, how to request it, and what to do if your employer says no.

• Education: How to Advocate for Deaf Education: A Guide for Students, Parents & Educators — From IEPs to captioned classrooms — the legal frameworks, common barriers, and actionable steps to make any school more accessible.

• Know the Law: The ADA Decoded: History, Impact, and What It Means for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Americans — A deep dive into the landmark legislation — who it covers, its five titles, enforcement mechanisms, and why knowing it gives you leverage.

Want us to put these resources into a letter for your school or employer?

Ava Advocates For You

We do the heavy lifting. You get your access.

Choose the best way we can help you — we can reach out directly on your behalf, or hand you a letter ready to send yourself. Either way, you'll get a free trial of Ava premium captions.

• ✓ Free trial of Ava premium captions — 99% accurate, ADA-compliant
• ✓ Guidance on escalation paths if your initial request is denied
• ✓ Links to accommodation resources, articles, and organizations

Experience equal access — starting today

Ava delivers 99%-accurate live captions for any conversation: in-person, on a call, in class, or in a meeting. Available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and the web.