Our Projects
Creating Impact Through Action
Our projects focus on empowering deaf communities globally through innovative initiatives that promote inclusion, human rights, and capacity building. In collaboration with partners, we work towards creating lasting change and advancing the rights of deaf people.
Themes
September 2024
Deaf Indigenous Women’s access to health in Bolivia
Summary
The project team conducted citizen data research interviews with 33 deaf Indigenous women from different regions in Bolivia and different ages to gather data on their access to healthcare services, their knowledge of sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, family planning, gender-based violence, and—in general—the facilitators and barriers they face when accessing health care. Moreover, the team developed and provided a training program on sexual and reproductive health rights and family planning education to the interviewed women, who are currently training their peers in these topics.
Zone
Bolivia
Donors
CBM Global
Partner Organisation
FEBOS CBM Global Bolivia
Impact
- 33 deaf Indigenous women trained on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Sexual Education, who became trainers for their peers.
- A citizen data research report published and approved by the US-IRB with the support of RIT – USA. The report contains surprising findings. A launch of this report is expected in 2025.
- A submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Several research findings were presented at high-level events, including the UN Statistics meeting, the UN Global Data Forum, the Global Disability Summit, and COSP 18.
- Bolivian Government authorities and Ambassadors have expressed their interest in working with the WFD to provide more training on access to health for Indigenous deaf women in their national sign language.
January 2024
Challenges to Accessible Healthcare in the Age of Covid-19 for Deaf Latin American and Caribbean Residents: A Call to Action
Summary
The report, carried out by WFD-IDA from December 2021 to January 2022, consisted of a mixed-method research study to gain insight into the pandemic-related challenges encountered by LAC deaf people. The research reached 200 multilingual deaf participants from different nationalities, including deaf Indigenous people and deaf women and girls. The report contains recommendations for effective policies and solutions for the stakeholders and national governments to tackle the inequalities that deaf people face in accessing healthcare information and services during emergencies.
Zone
Latin America and the Caribbean (Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ecuador, Uruguay, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Haiti)
Donors
UKAid and Disabled Peoples Organisation Denmark (DPOD)
Partner Organisation
IDA OMs in LAC RSSA
Impact
- A report published in January 2024
- In January 2024, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Organisation of American States (OAS) hosted a webinar to disseminate the report’s recommendations to health professionals and government authorities to improve deaf people’s equal access to health services
- Several presentations at UN high-level events on the outcomes of this project
July 2023
Guidelines for Achieving Sign Language Rights
Summary
This book is the outcome of a project funded by the Nippon Foundation, “Securing Access to Sign Language Rights,” implemented between 2019 and 2023. The project's primary goals were to provide national associations of deaf people with a set of resources that promote their aims of securing legal recognition for their national sign languages.
Zone
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam
Donors
The Nippon Foundation
Impact
In addition to these Guidelines, the WFD conducted six capacity training workshops in Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam from 2021 to 2023 to strengthen the advocacy capacities of national deaf associations and provide information and resources on sign language rights. The training workshops were followed up with an evaluation training session in 2024 in Thailand with representatives from the six national deaf associations.
December 2022
Barriers to Healthcare Access for Deaf Nigerian Women and Girls during Emergencies
Summary
The project aimed to highlight challenges faced by deaf Nigerian women and girls accessing healthcare in the context of national disasters. Thirty-seven deaf participants were surveyed for this study, followed by in-depth interviews with deaf Nigerian women. The report contains recommendations for effective policies and solutions for the stakeholders and national governments to tackle the inequalities deaf people face in accessing healthcare information and services during emergencies and disasters.
Zone
Nigeria
Donors
CBM Global (with funding support from Swiss Development Cooperation)
Partner Organisation
NNAD
Impact
- There was a launching webinar with CBM Global and government authorities in Nigeria in December 2022. Hard copies of the report were disseminated among the participants.
- Several interventions at the UN high-level events on the outcomes of this research project.
- A follow-up project in Nigeria will be implemented during 2025 and 2026 in partnership with CBMG, with funds from the Finnish MFA.
January 2022
COVID-19 Toolkit: Do not leave deaf people behind!
Summary
In partnership with the WFD, the Danske Døves Landsforbund designed a toolkit along with four of its national members (Colombia, Jordan, Rwanda and Togo) to empower deaf people worldwide on how to face the COVID19 health crisis and to provide them with resources to advocate for their rights to equal information and treatment during emergencies and disasters.
Zone
Colombia, Jordan, Rwanda and Togo
Donors
?
Partner Organisation
DDL
January 2021
Guidelines on Access to Information in National Sign Languages During Emergency Broadcasts
Summary
In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, WFD and WASLI produced Guidelines to ensure that national and regional governments worldwide are well informed on the fundamental right to provide professional sign language interpretation in emergency broadcasts and to ensure, thereby, the access of deaf communities to the critical information provided during emergency broadcasts and intended for the whole population.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
Partner Organisation
WASLI
March 2020
Complete the Puzzle: Connecting the Deaf Community with the CRPD and the SDGs
Summary
The WFD produced an informative toolkit on the UNCRPD and the Sustainable Development Goals to equip its Ordinary Members on those legal instruments and encourage them to advocate for their rights at the UN and the national level.
Zone
Global
Donors
?
Partner Organisation
?
March 2020
Guidelines on Providing Access to Public Health Info in National Sign Language during Coronavirus Pandemic
Summary
In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, WFD and WASLI produced these guidelines to ensure that national and regional governments worldwide are well informed on the fundamental right to provide access to public health information in national sign language during the Coronavirus Pandemic. These guidelines highlight good practice for live interpretation during broadcasts, press conferences, and governmental announcements, as well as translation of public health information into national sign languages.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
Partner Organisation
?
July 2019
Baseline Data Collection on Deaf Education in Nepal
Summary
The WFD researched inclusive and equitable quality education through sign language for deaf learners in Nepal. The research consisted of a literature review, an analysis of national and international policy regarding deaf education in Nepal and an analysis of data gathered during fieldwork in Nepal conducted by Dr. Kristin Snoddon. The report also provides recommendations from deaf and hearing educators, school administrators, and government authorities.
Zone
Nepal
Donors
DFID UK and MFA Finland
Partner Organisation
IDA
August 2017
Guidelines on Securing and Utilising the Services of Sign Language Interpreters for the UN
Summary
The WFD and WASLI produced guidelines on the importance of ensuring sign language interpreters at the United Nations events and provided practical recommendations on how to proceed the best way possible according to the deaf participants' needs. While these guidelines are oriented towards the UN entities, they also can be applied outside of its scope whenever deaf people who are sign language users are attending an event.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
Partner Organisation
WASLI
May 2016
Best Practices and Ethics for Development Cooperation Projects
Summary
The WFD designed recommendations for people and organisations who want to assist in establishing (local) development cooperation projects with deaf communities worldwide. The focus of the paper containing best practices and ethical considerations is to ensure the maximal involvement and ownership of (local) deaf people in an ethical, sensible and sustainable way.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
July 2015
Manual for Sign Language Work within Development Cooperation
Summary
The Manual "Working Together - Manual for Sign Language Work within Development Cooperation" is a set of guidelines and examples of best practice on how to conduct Sign Language Work together with a Deaf Community. Sign language documentation and research is the starting point for the empowerment of the Deaf Community in Sign Language Work.
Zone
Albania, Kosovo and Finland
Donors
MFA in Finland and Disability Partnership Finland
Partner Organisation
FAD ANAD KAD
Impact
- WFD workshop provided to more than 80 representatives from 51 countries
January 2015
Guidelines on Communication during Natural Disasters and other Mass Emergencies for Deaf People
Summary
Due to natural disasters occuring in several countries in the world, the WFD and WASLI gathered the input and the experiences of deaf people and interpreters in those countries and produced recommendations on access to communication and information intended for government policy makers, public service providers,national associations of deaf people, national associations of interpreters, and media organisations. Those recommendations cover areas such as emergency telecommunications, emergency preparedness information, emergency information during disasters, communication with emergency workers, access to emergency centres, community consultations and access to recovery communications.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
Partner Organisation
WASLI
October 2014
Working Document on Adoption and Adaptation of Technologies and Accessibility
Summary
In times of rapidly changing and evolving information and communication technologies, the WFD produced this working document addressing the legal application of the articles of the UNCRPD relevant to technologies and accessibility as well as sharing best practices and policy considerations to ensure that deaf people are not left behind in this area.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
May 2010
Perspectives on the Concept and Definition of International Sign
Summary
Due to discussions on the concept of International Sign (Language) among its Ordinary Members, the WFD conducted a survey to gather inputs worldwide in 2007 and presented the outcomes to its Ordinary Members. The majority decided to use the term "International Sign" onwards in the WFD Statutes and its general and official meetings. This written report presents the results of the survey.
Zone
Global
Donors
No funding
January 2009
WFD Report on Deaf People and Human Rights
Summary
The “Deaf People and Human Rights” report is based on a survey that is, until now, the most extensive knowledge database on the situation of deaf people. The lives of deaf people in 93 countries, most of which are Global South countries, are addressed in varied areas, such as recognition of sign languages, accessibility, Deaf education and qualification of sign language interpreters. It aims to provide the necessary information about what needs to be addressed among the human rights violations faced by deaf people and call upon UN entities and national governments to commit to the spirit of the Convention and fulfil their responsibilities.
Zone
Globally (93 countries responded to the survey)
Donors
Swedish Agency for International Development Co-operation (Sida) and Swedish Organisations of Disabled Persons International Aid Association (Shia)
Partner Organisation
SDR