Strategic Plan

2024-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN

Executive Summary

The mission of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) is to support and empower people with vestibular impairment on their journey back to balance.

Since its inception in 1985, VeDA has evolved into a powerful force that informs, represents, and advocates for people afflicted with vestibular dysfunction in addition to the healthcare professionals who serve them.

VeDA also support the families, support partners, and others whose lives are affected, directly or indirectly, by inner ear and brain balance disorders.

Three Pillars

Built on three “pillars,” or areas of focus that provide a foundation for its mission, VeDA envisions a world where vestibular disorders are:

  1. Widely recognized
  2. Rapidly diagnosed
  3. Effectively treated

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 adults aged 40 years or older in the United States—approximately 69 million Americans—have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction, yet vestibular disorders are not widely recognized or understood.

Therefore, VeDA’s first goal is to expand our community of patients, healthcare professionals, and support partners who are knowledgeable and mutually supportive of available diagnostic, treatment, and management processes, so that people affected by vestibular dysfunction can return to balanced, productive lives.

Second, VeDA seeks to expand awareness of vestibular disorders through public outreach and educational resources. VeDA maintains an expansive, free science-based library of articles on our website, with printed copies available by request. VeDA’s message reaches an international audience, with community members from around the world. Our website hosts millions of visitors each year, and our social media channels and virtual events reach hundreds of thousands of individuals representing the global vestibular community.

Finally, VeDA advocates for improvements in scientific research, educational initiatives, government policymaking, and other professional affiliations that advance VeDA’s mission.

At the foundation of our strategic plan is the development of resources that support VeDA’s mission.

Goals & Objectives

Goal I: Build a Community

Build a diverse & influential community of people who suffer from vestibular dysfunction, their support partners, and the healthcare professionals who treat them.

OBJECTIVE I

Build a diverse community by engaging community members and their support networks.

OBJECTIVE II

Build community among healthcare professionals who care for people with vestibular impairment.

OBJECTIVE III

Be a central hub for the vestibular community to foster collaborative actions that support our shared goals.

Goal II: Increase Awareness

Increase awareness about vestibular dysfunction through public outreach and educational resources.

OBJECTIVE I

Generate awareness of VeDA and vestibular disorders to a global audience.

OBJECTIVE II

Be a trusted source of up-to-date information on vestibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE III

Collaborate with individuals and organizations to increase the reach of VeDA’s messaging.

Goal III: Advocate

Be an influential advocate for improved diagnosis, treatment, and management for people with vestibular dysfunction, and funding to support these efforts.

OBJECTIVE I

Collect and disseminate data on the vestibular patient experience.

OBJECTIVE II

Promote education and tools for healthcare professionals that facilitate patient referrals to vestibular specialists.

OBJECTIVE III

Foster relationships with government, regulatory and academic agencies, and institutions to increase awareness of vestibular disorders and improve policies for people with vestibular impairment.

Goal IV: Develop Resources

Build a robust and viable organization to ensure the sustainability and expansion of VeDA’s mission.

OBJECTIVE I

Grow and diversify funding sources.

OBJECTIVE II

Manage human resources, both paid and volunteer.

OBJECTIVE III

Embrace continuous process improvement and optimize use of technologies.

OBJECTIVE IV

Ensure financial security and manage risk.