The WFD works for the realisation of deaf people’s human rights in partnership with the United Nations and its agencies, national organisations of deaf people, and relevant stakeholders.

RESPECT

We respect our members, partners and donors and encourage them to share their views and ideas with us as part of a two-way process.

EQUALITY

We are committed to promoting equality in our work. All individuals are to be treated similarly regardless of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture or age.

DIVERSITY

We respect and value the manifold diversity of human beings and bring this into our work.

IMPARTIALITY

All our work and our decisions are based on careful consideration of facts and governed by the basic principles of fairness and the rule of law.

PROFESSIONALISM

We work collaboratively and impartially towards our goals using the best of our abilities and learn from our experiences

HUMAN RIGHTS BASED APPROACH

In accordance with the Principles and Objectives of the United Nations (UN) Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other general Acts and Recommendations of the UN and its specialised agencies, the WFD develops its activities towards the goal of equalisation of opportunities and full participation in society for deaf individuals in every country.

RESPECT FOR LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY

The WFD works tirelessly for the recognition of, respect for and promotion of sign languages as part of human diversity and aims to improve the status of national sign languages.

INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SOCIETY

The WFD considers that no deaf person should be denied quality education in sign language and that parents and providers of education should be informed of the importance of bilingual education. The WFD works for an accessible society with no communication barriers, where services and information are available in sign language.

LEADERSHIP OF DEAF PEOPLE

The WFD promotes the principle: “Nothing about us without us”. The WFD believes that the establishment and strengthening of national deaf associations will contribute to the autonomy and determination of the deaf community as well as increase its understanding of the importance of co-operation with various stakeholders.

TRUST, CO-OPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP

The WFD needs close co-operation with its member organisations and various other stakeholders such as organisations of persons with disabilities, the United Nations and its agencies and programmes, donors and universities. With this extensive network, the WFD can better succeed in its work.