The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) participated in the 7th Seminar on deaf Culture, Education, Accessibility and Rights, organised by our Ordinary Member in Chile as part of its centenary celebrations (1926–2026).
The event brought together representatives of deaf organisations, specialists and speakers from different countries to reflect on historical achievements, current challenges and future perspectives for the deaf community.
International Leadership and WFD Participation
The WFD’s participation was led by WFD President, Dr Joseph J. Murray, who joined the official opening of the seminar alongside Enrique Gutiérrez Corvalán, President of the Chilean Association of the Deaf (ASOCH), and other Chilean authorities.
The programme also featured WFD members, who contributed international perspectives on human rights, sign languages, inclusive education and cooperation with networks of organisations of persons with disabilities.
Impact on deaf communities
The international gathering provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among deaf organisations, promote the recognition of national sign languages as natural languages, and reaffirm the importance of deaf people’s direct participation in decisions that affected their lives.
Discussions on accessibility, education, legislation and linguistic rights helped identify shared challenges and encouraged actions that advanced equality, autonomy, and recognition of the linguistic and cultural diversity of deaf communities.
As ASOCH celebrated its 100th anniversary, the seminar also recognised the historical contribution of the deaf association movement and renewed its commitment to defending human rights and supporting future generations
