Our Story
A History for a Philosophy
Advocating for the rights of deaf people around the world since 1951
Founded on 23 September 1951 in Rome, Italy, following the first World Congress of delegates from 25 national deaf associations, the World Federation of the Deaf emerged in response to the barriers that deaf people face in achieving full accessibility, equal human rights, and participation in political decisions affecting their lives. The WFD is one of the oldest international organisations of persons with disabilities in the world.
Since the late 1950s, we have collaborated closely with the United Nations and its agencies. Notably, we played a significant role in the creation and advancement of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006, the CRPD remains a cornerstone of the WFD’s efforts, as it actively supports its implementation and encourages member states to ratify the convention.
Today, the WFD unites national associations of deaf people from every continent, reflecting its global presence and commitment to advocating for the rights of all deaf people around the world.
Human Rights Through Sign Languages: 75 Years of Deaf Advocacy
To mark its 75th anniversary, the World Federation of the Deaf presents a 30-minute film, Human Rights Through Sign Languages: 75 Years of Deaf Advocacy, celebrating 75 years of history, leadership and advocacy for the human rights of deaf people.
From its founding in Rome in 1951 to its work today, the film takes viewers through key moments in WFD’s journey, highlighting the leadership, advocacy and collective efforts that have contributed to advancing the human rights of deaf people worldwide. It is also an opportunity to look ahead and reflect on the continued work needed to build a World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere.
Our history
The World Federation of the Deaf is one of the oldest international organisations of persons with disabilities in the world.
Go backOn 23 September 1951, delegations from 25 countries meet in Rome, Italy, to found WFD, today the world’s oldest international organisation of persons with disabilities.
The International Day of the Deaf is celebrated for the first time. It later becomes the International Week of the Deaf.
WFD is granted consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and enters into official relations with the World Health Organisation.
The WFD Board decides to use an “international language of signs” at the next General Assembly.
A motion is passed for WFD to be governed by deaf people, at a time when most delegates were hearing and did not sign.
A new WFD flag is unveiled at the 9th General Assembly in Washington, DC, USA.
WFD creates its first Regional Secretariat for Asia and the Pacific.
Yerker Andersson, then WFD President, becomes the first deaf person to address an official UN meeting.
WFD has 100 ordinary members.
The WFD Youth Section (WFDYS) is founded in Austria in July 1995.
The United Nations adopts the CRPD and includes sign language rights 5 times for the first time in a United Nations treaty.
WFD Honorary President Liisa Kauppinen receives the UN Human Rights Prize, the first Nordic and deaf recipient.
The UN proclaims 23 September the International Day of Sign Languages, following a resolution sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda.
The International Week of the Deaf is renamed the International Week of Deaf People (IWDP).
UNESCO inscribes documents from the 1880 Milan Congress on its Memory of the World International Register.
The 21st General Assembly in South Korea votes to adopt the Deaf Flag.
WFD has 140 Ordinary Members.
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