National Association of the Deaf

Submitted by NAD Conference on Sun, 07/01/2012 - 18:55

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Board members will be present during the NAD Conference, with the 100th Board meeting happening right now in Louisville through July 3, prior to the start of the NAD conference! The WFD is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) representing over 70 million deaf individuals who hail from 133 member countries. The WFD works closely with the United Nations and its various agencies to promote the human rights of deaf people worldwide.

At the NAD Conference, the WFD Board will meet to discuss many important issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals on a global level. The NAD also welcomes Colin Allen, the President of the World Federation of the Deaf, as the Keynote Speaker for our Opening Ceremonies. Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, the Vice-President of the WFD, will also present a workshop on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Conference-goers have the opportunity to attend a multitude of workshops that address advocacy on the international level:
 

• The Role of Deaf Americans in the Global Deaf Community
• Discovering Deaf Leadership in Developing Countries
• What is the World Federation of the Deaf? | Presented by Colin Allen, WFD President

• Deaf Youth Advocacy in America and On the International Level
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | Presented by Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, WFD Vice President

You can show your support for the WFD by donating, becoming a WFD member or purchasing a signed copy of the must-read World Federation of the Deaf: A History by esteemed deaf author, Jack Gannon. This ground-breaking book chronicling the history of the WFD will be sold at the NAD exhibit during the Conference, with book signing opportunities available. The books will be available for purchase at the NAD exhibit hall, and Mr. Gannon will be at the NAD exhibit hall for an official book signing! Details with the day and time of the book signing will be announced soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

To show your support, donate to the WFD by purchasing a special pin to accompany your NAD Conference Badge. A limited-edition item, this collectible pin includes the instantly recognizable logo of the WFD and commemorates this special partnership between the NAD and the WFD. Proceeds will go directly to the WFD to support its human rights work on behalf of deaf people worldwide. You will see several people walking throughout the Conference with this special WFD pin - be sure to ask for more details wherever you spot a WFD pin.

Be sure to look for WFD President Allen and Vice President Newhoudt-Druchen, along with other members of the WFD Board, during the NAD Conference. Take the time to welcome them to the United States, and congratulate them on their historic 100th Board meeting. The NAD wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to WFD for its tireless work on behalf of the international deaf community, and is proud to be part of this historic WFD Board meeting in Louisville!

For more about the World Federation of the Deaf, visit http://www.wfdeaf.org

For more about the 51st Biennial NAD Conference, visit http://www.nad.org/louisville