About Us
Discover the world of deaf advocacy and community through our organizations.
World Federation of the Deaf
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organisation representing and promoting approximately 70 million deaf people's human rights worldwide. The WFD is a federation of 136 nations; its mission is to promote the human rights of deaf people and full, quality and equal access to all spheres of life, including self-determination, sign language, education, employment and community life.
The philosophy of WFD is one of equality, human rights and respect for all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual preference, age and all other differences. The WFD supports and promotes in its work the many United Nations conventions on human rights, with focus on deaf people who use sign language, and their friends and family members. The WFD works with the aim of solidarity and unity to make the world a better place for everyone.
Kenya National Association of the Deaf
The Kenya National Association for the Deaf (KNAD) is a legal Non-Governmental Organization registered in 1987 with the government of Kenya under the Registrar of Societies Act 1968, Rule 4. KNAD is an ordinary member of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) of good standing advocating for the rights of 5.5% of the Kenya population or 2.7 million People who are Deaf in Kenya. KNAD being umbrella organization of the Deaf, has its membership derived from affiliate regional associations with members drawn from the grassroots Deaf Community countrywide.
In its over 35 years of existence, KNAD has been advocating for the recognition and use of Kenyan Sign Language as a language of the Deaf community to break communication barriers that has hinder participation of the Deaf people in national development. This has been affirmed by the Constitution of Kenya articles 7(3) (b) , article 54 and article 120 which explicitly recognize Kenyan Sign Language as a language and official and business language of the Kenya Parliament. This has demonstrated excellent and unique capacity of KNAD to promote the human rights of Deaf people which has contributed immensely on the overall establishment of a society that respects human dignity, social justice and equal opportunity for individuals who are deaf in Kenya.
International Conference of the WFD
The International Conferences of the WFD are organized by Ordinary, Associate or International Members. The Conferences are held in the odd years between the Congresses and General Assembly. The aim of the conference is to provide platform for ordinary members to deliberate issues affecting deaf human rights including sign language and engage with national governments. The last international Conference of the WFD was held in Thailand, 2021.
The 5th World Federation of the Deaf Conference will be held in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme is Advancing sign language rights. The changing climate highlights the need to ensure the robust legal recognition of our national sign languages and the protection of deaf people's human rights. It is anticipated that over 400 ordinary members will attend the Conference.