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WFD
NEWSLETTER
Looking back at 2014
December 2014
AN INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION WITH A SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS IN THE UNITED NATIONS
CONTENTS
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15
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PRESIDENT’S NOTE
AWARDS
APPOINTMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY
 Participation in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD) Implementation and Monitoring
 WFD Submissions to the CRPD Committee
 Cooperation with the United Nations and other Human Rights
Mechanisms
HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING ACTIVITIES
 Dominican Republic and Mongolia
 Maghreb Region
 Others
REPRESENTATION OF WFD BOARD MEMBERS IN INTERNATIONAL
EVENTS
 Presentations
 Attendance
EXPANDING INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION & EXTERNAL
COMMUNICATIONS
 Communications and Increased Online Presence
 Surveys and Reports
STRENGTHENING THE WFD
 Finances, Fundraising and Human Resources
 Strengthening Relationship with WFD Youth Section
 Strengthening Relationship with WFD Members
GRATITUDE
DONATIONS
XVII WORLD CONGRESS OF THE WFD 2015
CLOSING MESSAGE
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
11
13
EDITORIAL
Editorial
WFD Newsletter is published
six times a year. We
welcome all news, articles,
letters to the editor, and
other contributions. We
serve the right of acceptance
or rejection and the right to
edit all submissions that we
publish. Please send all
submissions to:
[email protected]
Contact information
World Federation of the Deaf
(WFD)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://wfdeaf.org
Join us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/
Wfdeaf.org?ref=hl
Layout Design
Dawan Oberleitner
2
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
monitor that the needs of the deaf people are met
through the implementation of CRPD by the
governments around the world.
We are all very proud of Dr Liisa Kauppinen for
receiving the UN Human Rights Award in December
2013. This historical global recognition has certainly
boosted our activities in 2014. Congratulations once
again, Dr Liisa!
Moreover, our work would not be possible without the
various financial support we received from donors and
grantors who believe in our work. Their support has
allowed us to embark on Human Rights activities
worldwide.
Dear Members and friends,
As we look forward in anticipation to exciting
challenges of 2015, the WFD Board and Secretariat
would like take a moment to look back and reflect on
our achievements.
2014 has been a successfully busy and rewarding year
for us all. As an international non-profit organisation
supporting over 70 million deaf people worldwide,
our advocacy role is vital and we are relentless in our
work. It is encouraging to note that all that has been
accomplished so far strengthens our core existence.
Our advocacy works are evident through participation
in the various United Nations (UN) Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) meeting
sessions at the UN Headquarters in New York, and its
Office in Geneva. Additionally, the Board Members had
the chance to travel across the globe to present,
conduct trainings, deliver statements and have
exchanges with various stakeholders.
Through these important interactions, one consistent
message that the WFD constantly promote is the right
to Sign Language particularly in education for the deaf
community, including children, interpreters and
families of the deaf. It is in the WFD’s best interest to
We must not forget the selfless work of our Board
Members. They are volunteers who have contributed
their time and expertise to support our goals. Their
enduring passion is the fuel that ignites success. We
are also indebted to our Ordinary Members who made
it possible for the Board Members to attend the Board
Meetings in Russian Federation and China. It is at these
meetings that the Board gathers and evaluate our
progress.
We strongly believe in fostering effective relationships
within the deaf community worldwide. Our
quadrennial world congress provides an excellent
platform for deaf individuals all around the world to
gather and network.
The XVII World Congress of the World Federation of
the Deaf will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 28th July
to 1st August, 2015. The theme for the World Congress:
Strengthening Human Diversity is a call to continue our
important work to achieve equality for deaf people
based on the UNCRPD. Start making your travel plans
for 2015 so that we can all come together to create an
unforgettable experience.
From all of us at WFD Board and Secretariat, happy
holidays and a prosperous new year.
Enjoy reading the newsletter and see you in 2015!
- Colin Allen
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
3
2011 – 2015 WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF
WFD Board Members
BOARD MEMBERS
Mr Colin Allen
Dr Wilma-Newhoudt-Druchen
Ms Kaisa Alanne
Ms Hanne Berge Kvitvaer
Dr Joseph Murray
Mr Dmitry Rebrov
Dr Terry Riley
Mr José Gaspar Ramos Sanabria
Mr Nebjosa Vavra
Mr Hasan Dikyuva
Mr Ramesh Lal Shrestha
President
Vice President & Membership Application Review Committee Chair
Board Member, Expert Group Chair
Board Member, Finance Committee Chair WFD & Fundraising Working Group Chair
Board Member, Human Rights Group Chair
Board Member, Media Working Group Chair
Board Member, Legal Commission Chair & WFD Conference Liaison Officer
Board Member, World Congress Working Group Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
WFD HONORARY PRESIDENTS
Dr Yerker Andersson
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Dr Markku Jokinen
Honorary President
Honorary President
Honorary President
WFD SECRETARIAT
Meri Hyrske-Fischer
Phillipa Sandholm
Eeva Tupi
Nafisah Rantasalmi
WFD Team Leader
WFD Administrative Secretary
WFD Human Rights Officer
WFD Development Officer
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
4
AWARDS
WFD Honorary President Dr Liisa Kauppinen
was awarded the United Nations Human
Rights Award in December 2013 (New York,
USA). This historical achievement has also
boosted the WFD activities in 2014. Click here
for more information.
Dr Liisa receiving
the UN HR Award
APPOINTMENTS





International Disability Alliance elected President Colin Allen as First Vice Chair of the
Board.
Dr Terry Riley, the Chief Executive of the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust,
has been awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
(OBE), in recognition of his career in Deaf television and many years of working with
the Deaf community.
Dr Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen was appointed as a new member of the Gallaudet
University Board of Trustees.
Ms Hend Al-Showaier was appointed as a Regional Director for the Interim Regional
Secretariat for the Arab Region.
Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion des Sourds (AMPS) from Mauritania
was approved as the 134th Ordinary Member of the WFD.
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS




EUD President Markku Jokinen and WFD President
Colin Allen appeared on an international video
campaign to urge the deaf associations to take
action on UNCRPD parallel reports to secure the
future of deaf communities.
Dr Joseph Murray co-authored the
book 'Deaf Gain'. An Introduction to
Deaf Gain - Shifting our perceptions
of deaf people from hearing loss to
deaf gain.
WFD held 104th and 105th Board meetings in
Moscow, Russian Federation and Beijing, China
with appreciation to host Ordinary Members, AllRussian Society of the Deaf and China Association
of the Deaf.
Successful visit of the
Korean Federation for
the Protection of the
Disabled (KFPD), along
with representatives
from the Deaf
Association of Korea, to Helsinki, Finland, in
November.

WFD Secretariat hosted visitors from all over the
world at the WFD Headquarter Office in Helsinki,
Finland:
o Participants of Frontrunners 10, a Deaf
International Youth Training Programme
Eeva & Phillipa with
Frontrunners
o
o
o
o
o
Farewell Dinner with
DPRK, FAD & WFD
reps
Mr Vadim Milman and Mr Jon Kastrup, USA
Mr Shuaib Chalken, UN Special Rapporteur
on Disability and Ms Hisayo Katsui
Mr Florjan Rojba, Co-ordinator of Albania
National Association of the Deaf
Interpreting students from the Södertörns
folkhögskola, Sweden
Mr Juan Angel de Gouveia, President of the
National Association of the Deaf of
Venezuela
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
5
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY

Participation in the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Implementation and
Monitoring
 11th Session (March, 2014), Dr Joseph Murray and
Ms Eeva Tupi delivered an opening statement
highlighting the importance of having access to the
text of the CRPD as a precondition, adoption of
wider perspective of what is deemed as an
‘Inclusive education for deaf people´, and provision
of national sign language interpretation to cover all
countries. Video of the proceeding can be watched
here.
 12th Session (September, 2014), Dr Joseph Murray
and Ms Eeva Tupi delivered a statement
highlighting the importance of accessibility of the
CRPD in national sign languages and provision of
CRPD training to deaf people. The summary video
can be watched here.
 Seventh Session of COSP (June, 2014), WFD Youth
Section Board Member Mr Braam Jordaan made a
statement on Quality Deaf Education in Sign
Language at the UN Headquarter in New York, USA.
WFD Submissions to the CRPD Committee
 11th Session (February, 2014), WFD submitted
concluding observations on Azerbaijan.
 February, 2014, WFD made submission relating to
the Draft General Comment No. 1 on Article 12.
 February, 2014, WFD, together with WASLI, made
submission relating to the Draft General Comment
No.2 on Article 9.
 March, 2014, WFD made submission relating to the
Draft Guidelines on the participation of Disabled
Persons Organisation, Civil Society Organisations,
National Human Rights Institution and other
stakeholders in the work of the Committee.
Cooperation with the United Nations and other
Human Rights Mechanisms
 Ms Eeva Tupi commented on IDA’s submission to
the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) study on CRPD Article 19.



Deaf representatives attended the 11th and 12th
Sessions of the CRPD Committee as
representatives of organisations of persons with
disabilities (DPOs) from: Azerbaijan, Belgium,
Croatia, Dominican Republic, Denmark, Germany,
Mongolia, New Zealand, and Republic of Korea.
Dr Joseph Murray and Ms Eeva Tupi met with
different offices at the OHCHR, including
representatives from Research and Right to
Development Division (Women Section), Human
Rights
and
Disability
Officer,
and
the Methodology, Education and Training Section
(METS), in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ms Eeva Tupi met with Secretary of the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women
(CEDAW)
Working
Group
on
Communications under the Optional Protocol,
Petitions and Inquiries Section, Human Rights
Treaties Division, OHCHR discussing the degrading
terminology
(deaf-mute)
and
protecting
anonymity of a deaf complaint in CEDAW
Committee’s jurisprudence
Dr Joseph Murray, Ms Eeva Tupi, and Mr Hichem
Abaab (the President of Tunisian Association of
the Deaf in Tunisia) met with:
o Ambassador Ms Tanja Jääskeläinen and
First Secretary Ms Emilia Autio at the
Finnish Embassy.
o Head of OHCHR Tunisia Office Mr Dimiter
Chalev and Human Rights Officer Ms Hajer
Bouyahia at the OHCHR Office.
Advocacy on Accessibility through International Sign
Interpreting at the United Nations



The WFD has continuously lobbied for better
accessibility in terms of qualified and experienced
International Sign interpreting at both the United
Nations in Geneva and New York.
The WFD has also worked as a liaison between its
Ordinary Members and the United Nations Office
at Geneva (UNOG) when planning for national sign
language interpreter arrangements.
Ms Eeva Tupi provided comments on behalf of
WFD and World Association of Sign Language
Interpreters (WASLI) to UNOG’s evaluation form
on International Sign interpretation in CRPD
sessions.
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
6
HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Workshop with deaf
leaders in Vietnam
Eeva with the deaf
Dominican Republicans
Dominican Republic and Mongolia
 March 2014: Second Human Rights Project was launched in with focus on provision of CRPD training to two
countries, the Dominican Republic and Mongolia coordinated by Ms Eeva Tupi.
 Ms Eeva Tupi supported CRPD parallel reporting training organised by the IDA in the Dominican Republic and
Mongolia, in preparation for the 2nd pre-sessional working group of the CRPD Committee.
 President Colin Allen had a special Skype meeting with the participants who attended the WFD Human Rights
Training in Azerbaijan, Mongolia and Dominican Republic.
Workshop with
Maghreb countries deaf
leaders, Tunisia
Eeva with the deaf Mongolians
& RSA Regional Director
Maghreb Region
 May 2014: A preparatory mission was conducted in aim to learn about the needs and the human rights
situation of Maghreb countries in preparation for actual project application. Deaf representatives from
Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia attended the workshop led by Dr Joseph Murray and Ms Eeva
Tupi with the support from Ms Hend Al-Showaier.
Others
 President Colin Allen delivered Human Rights Training for the following events:
Event/Organisation
Vietnamese Deaf Community
The 25th Anniversary celebration of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde,
CRPD and Deaf Leadership Summit
Finnish Folk High School for Deaf
Belgrade Deaf Club
Kosovo Association of the Deaf
Albanian National Association of the Deaf
Deaf Queer Men Only
Venue
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Manila, Philippines
Helsinki, Finland
Belgrade, Serbia
Pristine, Kosovo
Tirana, Albania
Stockholm, Sweden
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
7
REPRESENTATION OF WFD BOARD MEMBERS IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
AVLIC conference, Canada
Green Lane Deaf Club, UK
SIGN 7 conference,
China
IDA Conference
Presentations
Event/Organisation
The Annual Deaf LGBTQIA Youth Conference – ColorFEST,
Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute
for the Deaf
Turku Deaf Club
Green Lane Deaf Club
The 2nd International Conference on Linguistic Rights of the
Deaf, Moscow, Russian Federation
Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC),
National Sign Language Interpreters Conference
Stockholm Deaf Club
Workshop for Swedish Sign Language Interpreters and Swedish
Sign Language Teachers
SIGN7 Conference
International Disability Alliance Conference on "How to
advocate African Governments for a Post-2015 Agenda of
Persons with Disabilities"
The Norwegian Deaf Association, Norwegian Language Council,
Deaf Church of Norway and Signo Foundation
CRPD Training, Nordic Deaf Council
Interpreter training at Viparo
Rochester Institute of Technology / National Technical Institute
for the Deaf
CRPD training, Council of Europe Directorate of Democratic
Citizenship and Participation, European Youth Centre
4th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation,
"Towards quality of life through inclusive implementation of
human rights"
Hear my Voice: Empowering the Deaf
Conference held in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates
celebration of Deaf Arab Awareness Week
Article 24 and Linguistic Rights at Gallaudet University
WFD Board Member
President Colin Allen
Venue
Rochester, NY, USA
President Colin Allen
President Colin Allen
President Colin Allen
Turku, Finland
London, England
Moscow, Russian Federation
President Colin Allen
Winnipeg, Canada
President Colin Allen
President Colin Allen
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
President Colin Allen
President Colin Allen
Zhongzhou, China
Nairobi, Kenya
Honorary President
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Honorary President
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Honorary President
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Honorary President
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Honorary President
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Honorary President
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Oslo, Norway
Dr Joseph Murray
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dr Joseph Murray
Washington, DC, USA
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki, Finland
New York, USA
Budapest, Hungary
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
8
REPRESENTATION OF WFD BOARD MEMBERS IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
CRPD Conference organised by Stavanger Association of the
Deaf
The 5th international Conference of the Coalition for Global
Hearing Health – Making Hearing Health A Global Priority
The 6th National Congress of the Deaf
The Deaf Mental Health Congress
XIII International Congress and Seminar on Human Rights and
Bilingualism
The 2nd International Conference on Linguistic Rights of the
Deaf
4th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation
on "Language planning and standardization in the Deaf
Community: What are the human rights implications?"
One day forum on Promoting Quality Education for Children
with Disabilities through ‘Universal Design’ of All Learning
Materials' hosted by UNICEF in collaboration with DAISY India
Panel discussion on "What do we mean ICT accessibility?" at
the Accessible America's' conference
UNICEF event: “Speaking out: Young Voices on Non
Communicable Diseases”
SIGN7 Conference, A Conference of sign language users
31st National Information Congress
Ms Hanne Kvitvaer
Ms Kaisa Alanne
Dr Joseph Murray
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Dr Terry Riley
Stavanger, Norway
Dr Terry Riley
Dr Liisa Kauppinen
Dr Terry Riley
Dr Terry Riley
Lisbon and Leiria, Portugal
Belfast, North Ireland
Dr Joseph Murray
Ms Kaisa Alanne
Dr Terry Riley
Mr Hasan Dikyuva
Dr Robert Adam Coordinator,
Expert Group on Sign Language
and Deaf Studies
Dr Robert Adam
Coordinator, Expert Group on
Sign Language and Deaf Studies
Dr Humberto Insolera,
WFD/EUD Representative
Moscow, Russian Federation
Dr Phil Harper, Co-ordinator,
WFD Expert Group on
Technology and Accessibility
Mr Braam Jordaan, WFDYS
Board Member
Mr Hasan Dikyuva
Mr Hasan Dikyuva
São Paulo, Brazil
Oxford, United Kingdom
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
New Delhi, India
New York, USA
Zhongzhou, China
Ankara, Turkey
In Attendance
Event
WFDYS Children Camp and the WFDYS Board meeting
65th anniversary of the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of
Macedonia
10th year of French Belgian Sign Language Celebration
1st North American Conference of Sign Language Interpreters
The 2nd International Conference on Linguistic Rights of the Deaf
High Level Event on Equal Access and Inclusive Development for
Persons with Disabilities during the 22nd Asia – Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week
ILO Seminar – “Global Challenges: More and Better Jobs”
2nd Int. Conference on
Linguistic Rights
WFD Board Member
Dr Wilma NewhoudtDruchen
Mr Dmitry Rebrov,
Mr Hasan Dikyuva
Ms Kaisa Alanne
Mr Gaspar Jose
Sanabria
Board and Staff
Members
President Colin Allen
Venue
Washington DC, USA
Ms Kaisa Alanne
Helsinki, Finland
WFD President Colin at APEC
event, China Oct 2014
Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Brussels, Belgium
Mexico City, Mexico
Moscow, Russian Federation
Beijing, China
Deaf Rep and Interpreters
at IDA Conference
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
9
EXPANDING INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION & EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Communications and Increased Online Presence
 Published WFD Newsletters six times this year
 Generated 40,000 Likes so far on Facebook
 Drew over 742,366 unique visitors to the WFD
website
 Published two Press Releases
 Published four Statements
o WFD Statement on Sign Language Work
o WFD Statement of Standardized Sign
Language
o WFD Statement on the Adoption and
Adaptation
of
Technologies
and
Accessibility
o WFD Media Guidelines
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
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20.
21.
22.
23.
Albanian National Association of the
Deaf
All India Federation of the Deaf
All-Russian Society of the Deaf (VOG)
Argentina Confederation of the Deaf
Armenian Deaf Society
Association des Sourds du Niger
Association of the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing People of Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Association of the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Serbia and Montenegro
Association of Deaf of Chile
Association of the Deaf of the
Republic of Moldova
Association of the Deaf Slovakia
Austrian Association of the Deaf
Azerbaijan Society of the deaf
Belgium - Flanders = Fevlado:
Federation of Flemish Deaf
Organizations (Wallonia has its own
federation)
Bolivian Federation of the Deaf FEBOS
Botswana Association of the Deaf
(Boad)
Cameroon National Association for the
Deaf (CANAD)
Chadian National Association of the
Hearing Impaired (ANDAT)
Colombian Federation National of the
Deaf
Croatian Association of the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing
Danish Deaf Association
Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand (Inc)
Deaf Australia
24. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Clubs
Association of Slovenia
25. Deaf Federation of South Africa
Surveys and Reports
Deaf Education Survey
The WFD finished a project application on Deaf
Education and is currently seeking funding for this
extensive survey and capacity building project.
Ordinary Member Survey
In March 2014, the WFD sent a survey to all its Ordinary
Members in an effort to gather feedback. The
information received were taken into consideration
when evaluating the 2011 - 2015 WFD Action Plan and
in the development of the next action plan. The WFD
Board would like to thank the following respondents
(77 of our 133 WFD Members):
26. Deaf People Association (Malta)
27. Dominican Republic National
Association of the Deaf
28. Ethiopian National Association of the
Deaf
29. Federation National of Deaf People in
Ecuador
30. Federation of the Deaf in Madagascar
31. France National Federation of the Deaf
32. French-speaking Federation of Deaf
Belgians (FFSB)
33. German Deaf Association
34. Hellenic Federation of the Deaf
35. Hong Kong Association of the Deaf
36. Hungarian Association of the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing
37. Irish Deaf Society
38. Japanese Federation of the Deaf
39. Kenya National Association of the Deaf
40. Korea Association of Deaf
41. Latvian Association of the Deaf
42. Malaysia Federation of the Deaf
43. Mongolian Association of the Deaf
44. Namibian National Association of the
Deaf (NNAD)
45. National Association of the Deaf of
Cuba (ANSOC)
46. National Association of the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing of Congo (ANSDACO)
47. National Association of the Deaf of the
Congo Democratic Republic
48. National Confederation of the Deaf
People in Spain
49. National Deaf Association of Costa Rica
(Association National de Sordos de
Costa Rica)
50. National Association of the Deaf Cote
D'ivoire National Federation of the Deaf
Algeria (NFDA)
51. National Federation of the Deaf Education
and Integration, Brazil
52. Nigerian National Association of the Deaf
53. Philippine Federation of the Deaf
54. Polish Association of the Deaf
55. Portuguese Federation of Deaf
Associations (FPAS)
56. Romanian National Association for the
Deaf
57. Salvadoran Association of the Deaf, El
Salvador
58. Senegal National Association of the Deaf
(S.N.A.D)
59. Sierra Leone Association of the Deaf
(SLAD)
60. Somali National Association for the Deaf
(SONAD)
61. Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf
62. Sudanese National Society for The Deaf
63. Swedish National Association of the Deaf
64. Swiss Federation of the Deaf
65. Association of the Deaf in the Netherlands
66. Tanzania Association of the Deaf
67. The Tunisian Deaf Voice Association
68. British Deaf Association
69. National Association of the Deaf
70. Venezuela Federation of the Deaf
(Fevensor)
71. The Association of the Deaf in Israel
72. The Icelandic Association of the Deaf
73. The Finnish Association of the Deaf
74. The Norwegian Association of the Deaf
75. Union of the Deaf of Georgia
76. Union on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in
the Czech Republic
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
10
STRENGTHENING THE WFD
Fundraising event with
Jonas and Anna, Sweden
WFD Youth
Finances, Fundraising and Human Resources
 Obtained funding support of 50, 000 € for 2014
from the Finnish Government.
 Received funding from the Finnish Ministry for
Foreign Affairs for organising a workshop in
Tunisia as part of a preparatory mission.
 Applied and received a grant from an anonymous
donor to continue the second year of a project
titled: “Building Human Rights Capacity – Including
the Voice of People who are Deaf in Parallel
Reports”, which enabled the extension of the job
contract of WFD Human Rights Officer.
 WFD Board approved the budget of 12,000 € to be
used for a preparatory mission to Tunisia.
 Ms Nafisah Rantasalmi joined the WFD Secretariat
team as WFD Development Officer responsible for
fundraising.
 Initiated two fundraising initiatives namely
Individual Membership Campaign and WFD Year-
End Fundraising, and drafted WFD Fundraising
Plan, which was approved by the WFD Board.
Strengthening Relationship with WFD Youth Section
WFD has continued the close cooperation with the
WFD Youth Section (WFDYS). WFDYS President Jenny
Nilsson participated in the 104th WFD Board meeting in
Moscow, Russia and WFDYS is represented in two of
the WFD internal Working Groups. WFD Vice-President
attended one of the WFDYS Board meetings and youth
camps.
Strengthening Relationship with WFD Members
 Celebrated 2014 International Week of the Deaf –
Strengthening Human Diversity.
 Had a meeting with OM Venezuela in Helsinki,
Finland.
 WFD wrote numerous letters of support or video
messages to complement its international
advocacy works to the following OMs:
Strengthening Relationship with WFD Members
Country
Argentina
Brazil
Eritrea
Georgia
Hong Kong
India
Iran
Italy
Israel
Japan
Libya
Macedonia
Korea
Nigeria
Poland
Advocacy
Recognition of sign language
Promotion of sign language in education settings
Establishment of sign language interpreting services, sign language in educational settings and right to drive
Deaf people’s right to drive vehicles
Promotion of sign language in educational settings
Delivered a video message at the National Deaf Youth Workshop, in Nagpur, India attended by 100 top youth
leaders from all over India.
Advice on sign language research
Recognition of sign language. Letter and a video message signed by WFD President Allen
A congratulatory letter sent to commemorate their 70th anniversary.
To include Japanese Sign Language in government’s Sign Language Act as well as Information and
Communication Act
Requesting cooperation with the government
A congratulatory video message sent to commemorate the 70 th anniversary of OM Macedonia
Recognition of sign language
Requesting Nigerian government’s commitment to implement projects that promote Nigerian Deaf community
rights
A video message signed by Ms Tupi was shown at the Polish Association of the Deaf National Conference on
Deaf Education
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
11
STRENGTHENING THE WFD
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
A congratulatory letter sent to OM Serbia to commemorate organisation’s 70 th anniversary. A video message
signed by WFD President Allen was shown at the event
The Association of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired of Slovenia celebrated the 14 th of November as Slovenian Sign
Language Day and an event was held for the government officials. A video message signed by WFD President
Allen was shown at the event
A congratulatory letter sent to the Spanish National Federation of the Deaf (CNSE) for the establishment of
National Day of Spanish Sign Languages Day on June 14
Meeting with the Finnish
ambassador in Beijing
Meeting with the Kosovo Prime
Minister & staff members of the
Kosovar Assoc of the Deaf
Meeting with the
Russian government
representatives
Strengthening Cooperation with Agencies and Partners
Partners
European Union of the Deaf
(EUD)
WFD Regional Secretariat for
Asia (WFDRSA)
World Association of Sign
Language Interpreters
(WASLI)
International Disability Alliance
(IDA)
International Chairperson of
the International Congress on
the Deaf Education (ICED)
The International Federation
of Hard of Hearing (IFHOH)
Finnish Embassy in Beijing
Committee on Labour, Social
Policy and Veterans Affairs,
Moscow, Russian Federation
Kosovar Government
Albanian Government
Finnish Association of the Deaf
(FAD)
Abilis Foundation
Federation International de
Football Association (FIFA)
Advocacy
 President Colin Allen attended General Assembly in Athens, Greece.
 President Colin Allen signed the Athens Declaration as a sign of support for OM Greece
during the European Union of the Deaf (EUD) Seminar.
 President Colin Allen met with President Markku Jokinen and Executive Director Mark
Wheatley.
WFD Regional Secretariat for Asia held representatives meeting in Macau where President
Allen met with representatives from WFD OMs in Asia.
President Colin Allen met regularly the WASLI President Debra Russell to discuss the
cooperation between the WFD and WASLI and presented three updated news videos.
President Colin Allen attended IDA Board meetings in Kenya and Greece.
President Colin and Board Member Dr Terry Riley had a meeting with the ICED Chairperson,
Dr Venetta Lampropoulou in Athens, Greece.
President Colin Allen met twice the IFHOH President Ruth Warick.
The WFD Board accepted to start cooperation with IFHOH on captioning access on
international level.
WFD Representatives and Chinese Association of the Deaf President had a meeting with
Finnish Ambassador Jari Gustafsson in Beijing, China.
All-Russian Society of the Deaf President, Dr Valery Rukhledev, WASLI President Debra
Russell and WFD President Colin Allen had a meeting with Chairman and Vice Chairman of the
Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs in Moscow, Russia.
WFD President Colin Allen had a private meeting with the Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim
Thaci. He congratulated him and his government in recognising Kosovar Sign Language in
2010, in Pristine, Kosovo.
WFD President Colin Allen had a private meeting with Minister Erion Vellaj and Deputy
Minister Bardhylka Kospiri to discuss the framework of Albanian Sign Language based on UN
CRPD, in Tirana, Albania.
President Allen met with the project workers of FAD, responsible for the Sign Language
Work Manual, project where the WFD partners with FAD.
WFD Secretariat met with the representatives from the Abilis Foundation, in Helsinki,
Finland.
Sent a letter to FIFA thanking for making the 2014 FIFA World Cup accessible to the
international Deaf Community.
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GRATITUDE
We would like to offer our sincere gratitude to donors
and volunteers who contributed to support the work
that we do.
Monetary Contributions – Organisations
1. British Deaf Association (UK)
2. Dovefonden (Denmark)
3. Deaf Queer Men Only (Sweden)
4. Finnish Association for the Deaf
5. George Brown College Graduating Class 2014
(Canada)
6. Interfonden (Denmark)
7. Viparo (Finland)
8. Stockholm Deaf Club (Sweden)
Monetary Contributions – Individuals
1. Gerald “Jerry” Nelson (USA)
2. Heli Romu (Finland)
3. Jonas Carlsson & Anna Hein (Sweden)
4. Nancy J. Bloch (USA)
5. Tarja Sandholm (Finland)
6. Tina Saighal (UK)
7. Vania Ferrada Gutierrez (Chile)
Services in Kind
1. Anja Hurtamo (Finland)
2. Dr Knud Søndergaard (Denmark)
3. Hyo-Min Kim (Korea)
4. Julia Allen (Australia)
5. June Stathis (Australia)
6. Michelle Maguire (Australia)
7. Nancy J. Bloch (USA)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (Norway)
Rebecca Ladd (Australia)
Robert Adam (UK)
Sheena Walters (Australia)
Susannah Macready (Australia)
Tara Asher (UK)
The Deaf Society of New South Wales (Australia)
Tony Clews (Australia)
The WFD Board wishes to acknowledge the support
from our board members’ country National
Associations of the Deaf for their continuous support
in covering the board member’s trip expenses to
attend the board meetings.
Special Thanks
1. Deaf Australia and Australian Federation of the
Deaf Societies
2. Deaf Federation of South Africa
3. Finnish Association of the Deaf
4. Norwegian Association of the Deaf
5. National Association of the Deaf (USA)
6. British Deaf Association
7. All-Russian Society of the Deaf
8. Mexican Federation of the Deaf (FEMESOR)
9. Nepal Deaf Federation
10. Bosnia and Herzegovina Association of the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
11. Turkish National Federation of the Deaf
WFD ACHIEVEMENTS 2014
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DONATIONS
As you are aware, we are an international non-governmental organisation that relies on the active participation of
our members. Despite operating many years with limited financial resources, we are relentless in our work. Your
support has made it possible for us to act in our full capacity.
To further strengthen our relationship, we encourage that you join us as a coordinating partner to raise funds for
the WFD. Below are more information on where your contributions will go into and some fundraising ideas. Your
continued commitment will allow us to accomplish even greater things in the coming year. Together we can support
the 70 million deaf people worldwide!
Amount You Raised Will Go Into:
Strengthening the WFD influence in
various international forums.
 Act as a strong spokes organisation of
deaf human rights.
 Increase participation on international
level in cooperation with other
organisations of persons with
disabilities
 Contribute actively to the work of the
International Disability Alliance (IDA).
Increasing our presence and outreach to
both the deaf and hearing worlds through
enhanced communication platforms. We
aim to:
 Provide information in both
International Sign and written text.
 Restructure our website to make it
more intuitive as well as to include
online donation capability.
Strengthening relationship with our
Ordinary Members.
 Provide direct and systematic support
to 134 of our Ordinary Members. To
date, we have written numerous
support letters for our Ordinary
Members to supplement their
advocacy works.
Developing scientific and legal
publications.
 Disseminate statements, policies,
position papers to stakeholders
 Coordinate generating of studies that
include statistical information on deaf
situation in the world.
All other administrative support vital to
our work.
 With staff strength of four members,
we aim to achieve most goals in the
WFD Action Plan.
Here’s How You Can Raise Funds!
GIVE-IT-UP OR MATCH-THE-EURO
Encourage your staff members to give up
or match the euro of their cost spending.
We will personally be matching the cost
of our treats for 40 days.
YEAR-END EVENTS
Include fundraising for WFD as part of
your year-end event (e.g. Christmas party,
seminar, workshops.). If you decide to do
so, we can send a personal video
message from WFD President, Colin Allen,
addressed to all those attending the
event.
DONATION GIFT
Coming from a small organisation, every
penny counts, thus any amount you can
raise is vital to our work.
How to Start?
1. Reply your interest to [email protected]
2. Encourage your members to participate.
3. Set deadline for donation submissions.
4. Consolidate and send donations via Bank Transfer:
Account Name: World Federation of the Deaf
Bank Name: Nordea Bank Finland Plc.,
Bank Address: Aleksanterinkatu 36, FI-00100 Helsinki
IBAN: FI04 1555 3000 1113 37
SWIFT/BIC Code: NDEAFIHH
(We welcome direct individual donations too.)
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XVII WORLD CONGRESS OF THE WFD 2015
A final note is a date for your diary; the WFD Board cordially extends a warm invitation to you to join us at the XVII
World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in Istanbul, Turkey between 28 July and 1 August 2015. The
theme of the Conference is "Strengthening Human Diversity". More information about the WFD Congress can be
found at http://www.wfdcongress2015.org/
CLOSING MESSAGE
WFD Board Members
WFD Staff Members
As 2014 comes to a close, the World Federation of the
Deaf (WFD), reflects on past successes, with appreciation
to all who worked in partnership with us to make these
happen.
In the New Year to come, the WFD looks forward to
working in cooperation with valued individual and
organisational members, international partners, and
supporters.
The WFD Board and staff wishes you a most festive
Holiday Season and a New Year filled with prosperity.
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