Frequently asked questions

There is no official count of the number of deaf people in the world. Estimates from the World Health Organisation mention that there are around 430 million deaf persons worldwide.  This includes all people with a hearing loss, however small.  The WFD estimates more than 70 million deaf people belong to signing deaf communities.  We are working to develop reliable data on this issue.

No. Each sign language is unique and has its own distinct culture. Just as spoken languages have evolved around the world, different sign languages have emerged in different parts of the world. Sign languages can differ from region to region and from country to country.

There are 200+ national sign languages all over the world, but only 40% of the national sign languages are legally recognised.

These terms are not acceptable. The preferred term is “deaf” or “deaf people”. If a person has some hearing loss, they may prefer to be identified as “hard of hearing”. The World Federation of the Deaf and the International Federation of the Hard of Hearing have agreed the word “hearing-impaired” should not be used.

You can be involved with the WFD by becoming an Individual Member or making a donation. 

If you are from an organisation following the WFD’s philosophy and aim to partner with the WFD, you can become a member of WFD as an organisation. If you would like to establish a partnership with the WFD, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

If you want to volunteer or be part of the team, please contact us by email at [email protected]. 

There are many ways you can support the WFD and help make a lasting impact:

• Make a Donation: Your financial contributions allow us to continue our work and reach more communities in need. 
• Raise Awareness: Share our cause with your friends, family, and social networks. Spreading awareness about our initiatives helps amplify our impact.
• Fundraise for Us: Organise a fundraising event or campaign to support our work. Every effort, from charity runs to crowdfunding campaigns, helps us grow our reach.
• Partner with Us: Organisations and businesses can collaborate with WFD through sponsorships, joint initiatives, or corporate social responsibility programmes.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in empowering our mission.

The headquarters is in Helsinki, Finland. Our mailing address is:

Light House (Valkea Talo)

Ilkantie 4

FIN-00400 Helsinki

FINLAND

The WFD Conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 12 – 14 August 2025.

The World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 19 – 23 September 2027 during the International Week of Deaf People.

The International Week of the Deaf is an initiative of the WFD and was first launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy. It is celebrated annually by global deaf communities in the last week of September each year to commemorate the period of the first General Assembly of the WFD in 1951. The International Week of the Deaf is celebrated through various activities by the respective deaf communities worldwide.

September 23, every year. September 23, 1951, marks the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf in Rome, Italy. This date was chosen to commemorate this historic event and to highlight the importance of the rights of deaf people around the world.