WFD is formally registered as a non-governmental organisation in Finland
2007
Two year Global Education Pre-Planning Project on the Human Rights of Deaf People. Council of Europe grants WFD consultative status.
2006
United Nations adopts the CRPD
2005
First International WFD Conference – smaller scale than the World Congress – is held in Helsinki, Finland.
2002
WFD joins the Ad Hoc Committee in negotiating the text of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
1994
UNESCO’s “Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education” recognises Deaf children’s right to sign language in education.
1993
The United Nations General Assembly adopts “The Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities”, deaf people’s right to education in sign language and access to interpreting services is recognized.
1959
The United Nations and the World Health Organisation both grant WFD consultative status