World Federation of the Deafblind

The World Federation of the Deafblind is a non-governmental and non-profit making worldwide organisation. It is an organisation of deafblind people and is the legitimate voice of deafblind people of the world. The work for deafblind people is incipient and it is only during the past ten to fifteen years that deafblind have succeeded in nurturing a unique profile and enjoying an increased understanding of the specific problems resulting form deafblindness.

The aim of WFDB is to improve the quality of life of deafblind people world wide and one of the most important activities undertaken by WFDB is to identify deafblind people in order to break their isolation. WFDB also aims at spreading information about deafblindness and about the kind of service deafblind people need in order to live independent lives. In addition, WFDB strives to have deafblindness acknowledged internationally as a unique disability.

At the Sixth Helen Keller World Conference in Paipa, Colombia, September 13 - 19, 1997, it was decided to form the World Federation of the Deafblind, WFDB. After many years of work the conference delegates considered that time now was ripe to take this step. The conference appointed a committee that would prepare the first general assembly of WFDB.

The first and founding General Assembly was held in connection with the 7^th Helen Keller Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, in October 2001.

Structure:

The General Assembly (quadrennial) is the supreme governing body of WFDB.

The Executive Council is elected by the General Assembly on a four-year term.

The Executive Council consists of four elected officers: president, vice-president, secretary general and treasurer; and six regional representatives (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Pacific).

Upcoming events:

2^nd General Assembly 5-6 June 2005 in Tampere, Finland.

8^th Helen Keller World Conference, 3-5 June in Tampere, Finland.

For details about the General Assembly, please contact wfdb@wfdb.org

For details about the conference, please contact contact@helenkeller2005.com, or visit the conference web page: www.helenkeller2005.com/en/index.htm

Application for membership

If your organization is interested in joining WFDB, or cooperating with us, please send a letter to the address below (or fax, or e-mail). Please state:

• Name of the organisation
• Name and position of contact person
• Official mailing address, telephone, fax, e-mail address if any.
• Type of organisation (organisation of deafblind people, support organisation, parents'
  organisation ... ).
  
  

Contact Information

WFDB c/o FSDB

S-122 88 Enskede, Sweden

Telephone: +46-8-39 91 55

Fax: +46-8-659 50 42

E-mail: wfdb@wfdb.org

Website: www.wfdb.org