The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) was formed 65 years ago in 1951, making it one of the oldest international organisations for people with disabilities in the world. With their focus on protecting and helping deaf people all around the world, they communicate via British Sign Language (BSL) and Sign Languages around the world whilst also offering help and advice to friends and family.
WFD is a non-governmental organization that operates internationally, aiming to promote the Human Rights of Deaf people worldwide. They work closely with the United Nations and various UN agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO). WFD provides expert advice on deaf issues and matters in its relationships with other international organisations.
As of the publishing of this post, there are currently 11 board members who are all deaf. The headquarters of the organization is located in Helsinki, Finland.
The aims and objectives of the World Federation of the Deaf are to:
– Promote and help raise the establishment of Deaf organisations in countries and principalities where there currently isn’t any
– Provide better education for Deaf people all around the world
– Improve the status of national Sign Languages
– Provide better access to information and services for Deaf people
– Improve the human rights of Deaf people in developing countries and ensure they get the help they’re entitled to
The WFD claims it represents a staggering 70 million deaf people across the entire world! (Possibly even more impressive is that more than 80% of these people live in developing countries) The WFD really are doing their bit for deaf people all over the world, and its members continue to grow.
The number of countries with deaf associations since the World Federation of the Deaf was born has risen massively, and the WFD has members ranging from Afghanistan (Afghanistan National Association of the Deaf) – Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe National Association of the Deaf (ZIMNAD)).
With many more in between, including:
– Algeria (Fédération Nationale des Sourds d’Algérie (FNSA))
– Benin (Association Nationale des Sourds du Benin)
– Lebanon (Association de L’Oeuvre des Sourds-Muets au Liban
– Syria (Syrian Federation of Societies for the Welfare of the Deaf)
– United Kingdom (British Deaf Association (BDA)
– United States of America (National Association of the Deaf NAD)
And many, many more! In fact, well over 1/2 the world now has a deaf association thanks to the World Federation of the deaf!
There has been a World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf once every four years since its creation. The event will be organised by both the WFD and the varying host countries and is attended by thousands of Deaf people worldwide. The General Assembly (which is the highest decision-making body within the WFD) and forming the guidelines for the next four years will be conducted at the quarterly event.
But it isn’t all work, work, work. You still need to have fun and relax, and this is why the congress holds a large cultural programme which includes:
– Theatre Performances
– A Cinema
– Exhibitions
– Performing Arts
– Sightseeing and visiting local places of interest in the host city
The very first congress meeting took place in Rome, Italy and has since seen it visit 5 continents. The latest meeting is taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, with them ‘Strengthening Human Diversity’.
The Danish Deaf Association (DDL) recently received funding from the Disabled People’s Organisation Denmark (DPOD) to carry out a phase 1 project which commenced on the 1st of February 2016 for one year.
The purpose of the project is to strengthen the organisational capacity of the World Federation of the Dear (WFD) Ordinary Members in Mali (AMASOURDS), Niger (ASN), Togo (AST), Cote d’Ivoire (ANASOCI), and the WFD Regional Secretariat for Western and Central Africa (WCARS). The project is expected to grateful improve the lives of the deaf in the African continent as well as educate deaf people on their rights.
WFD work in partnership with the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) to create a conjoined agreed standard, ‘International Sign Interpreter Recognition Interim Policy and Guidelines’. Referred to as WFD-WASLI Accredited International Sign Interpreter, the Certificate of Accreditation is valid for five (5) years from 1 January 2016 till 31 December 2020.
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) took the initiative and created the International Week of the Deaf, celebrated globally by the deaf community. The International Week of the Deaf is held on the last week of September, the same month the first World Congress of the WFD was held.
International Week of the Deaf is commemorated through various activities (marches, debates, campaigns, exhibitions and meetings) and calls for the participation and involvement of stakeholders (families, peers, governmental bodies, professional sign language interpreters, Disabled People’s Organisations).
International Week of the Deaf is the only week in a year that sees highly concerted global advocacy to raise awareness about the deaf community at the individual, community and governmental levels. It is about gathering together, becoming united, and showing that unity to the rest of the world.
WFD truly have and still is making a huge difference to the deaf community around the entire world. Creating and promoting a better world where the deaf is included and gain the support they deserve.
Will you be doing anything for International Week of the Deaf? If so, let us know. If you wish to learn more about the great work WFD do, visit their official site here – http://wfdeaf.org/
EUD (European Union Of Deaf People)
On the same lines as the World Federation of the Deaf, we have the European Union of Deaf People. Based in Brussels, Belgium, EUD represents all of the 28 EU member states deaf people. In addition, they also represent:
– Iceland
– Norway
– Switzerland
EUD is a regional co-operating member of the World Federation of the Deaf to help tackle issues of global importance for the deaf community and also has participatory status with the Council of Europe (CoE). EUD’s vision is to ensure that Deaf people all over Europe have the same rights and help in both public and private aspects of their lives.
They want the recognition of the right to use indigenous Sign Language, empowerment through communication and information, as well as equality in education, and to empower Deaf people.
Their official site is – http://www.eud.eu/
