About the World Federation of the Deaf
The WFD is an international, non-governmental, central organization comprising national associations of Deaf people. It was established in 1951 during the first World Deaf Congress in Rome, Italy, which makes it one of the oldest organizations in the world for people with disabilities.
The highest decision-making body of WFD is the General Assembly. Every Ordinary Member has the right to send up to two delegates to attend the Assembly, which is held every four years in conjunction with the world Congress of the Deaf.
Current Goals:
- To improve the status of national Sign languages
- To better the education for Deaf people
- To improve the access information and services for Deaf people
- To improve human rights for Deaf people in developing countries
Composition:
Total number of members
- 123 Ordinary Members, representing all five continents in the world
- 200 Individual Members
- 35 Associate Members
- 4 International Members
- 3 Honorary Members
Regional Secretariats
- Asia and Pacific
- Central America and the Caribbean
- Central Europe
- Eastern Europe and Middle Asia
- Eastern and Southern Africa
- South America
- Arab Region (Interim)
Regional Co-operating Partner:
- European Union of the Deaf
Affiliate:
- Deaf Adoption News service
Subsection:
- WFD Youth Section
WFD Board:
- 11 board members (all Deaf)
The WFD has B-category status with the United nations and has representatives in the following groups:
- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- International Labor Organization (ILO)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Panel of Experts on the UN Standard for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
Publications:
- WFD News (official periodical)
- Report on the Status of Sign Language (WFD Scientific Commission on Sign Language, 1993)
- World Congress proceedings
- Member Circulars
Location:
Physical: Light House, Ilkantie 4, Haaga, Helsinki,
FINLAND
Postal: P.O. Box 65, FIN-00401, Helsinki, FINLAND
Information:
Fax : +358 9 580 3572
Mobile (text messages only) : +358 40 586 5308
Further information can be found at http://www.wfdnews.org
