Today, the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of the City of Zagreb originated from the first organized group for deaf individuals, established in 1921 under the name “Dobrotvor”. Initially, the society had 25 members who actively collaborated and supported each other in daily challenges. Today, the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of the City of Zagreb has around 600 deaf and hard of hearing members.

The Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of the City of Zagreb is a non-political and non-profit organization that primarily focused on social services. It provides various social services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including communication support (interpreters), home assistance, counseling and psychosocial support, and help with integration into the educational system and the labor market. Additionally, it participates in organizing community-benefit activities aimed at improving the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Since its founding, the Association has been dedicated to overcoming communication barriers, which are a major challenge for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Through various informal education programs and activities, the Association provides psychosocial support to its members, helping them overcome communication challenges and facilitating their access to information. Additionally, it organizes educational events and activities for the public to raise awareness about the challenges faced by deaf and hard of hearing people.

The Association has several sections: the Youth Club, the Retirees Club, the Women’s Club, and the “Medeki” Section (specifically for children). This structure allows the Association to address the needs of all age groups among its members, offering opportunities for participation in activities tailored to their interests and needs.

The Association has extensive experience in managing projects funded by the European Social Fund and the Erasmus+ program, as well as collaborating with other organizations locally, nationally, and internationally through partnership projects.