World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

Last week, a well-known American (from Sweden) came and worked with us for almost two days. Yerker Andersson has been working at Gallaudet for many years and developed the Deaf Studies department in the 1990s. I had heard about this man but never had a chance to meet him- it was so great being able to learn from him and even to sit down and drink tea with him! :)
Besides working at Gallaudet, Yerker has also been involved in the WFD for many years- as Vice President 1975-1983 and President from 1983 to 1995. It was fascinating listening to him describe his experiences working with different countries and the cultural clashes that happened.

Yerker explained how society followed the medical model of deafness and focused on "fixing the deafness problem" for almost a century. As an organization, WFD (established in 1951) also followed the medical model until the 1980s. Yerker called 1983-1987 the breaking point when Deaf people declared that we have a culture and should not focus on "becoming hearing." That period was our "revolution" when sign language was being recognized as a true language and that Deaf people are not broken hearing people but rather members of the Deaf Community with its own language and culture. The results of years and years of restlessness and excitement can be seen in the Deaf President Now! Revolution at Gallaudet University in 1988. WFD made many changes- for example, rules were finally established in 1995 requiring only Deaf Delegates to partake in the congress/conferences. (WFD Presidents have always been Deaf).

It is hard to believe that so much has happened in the past 20 years in the Deaf Community around the world in terms of legal rights, acceptance, awareness, etc. Of course, we have to remember that it has come a century too late and that we still have so much to do!

Yerker explained about different organizations around the world that work with WFD. WFD works closely with the United Nations and International Disability Alliance (IDA), which includes the organizations Disabled Peoples' International, World Blind Union, and more. WFD is also involved with the World Health Organization (WHO). I found it very interesting that in 2002, WHO accepted both the medical and social model for deafness. I couldn't help but think- what an accomplishment! But it happened in the 21st century!?!?

I enjoyed having Yerker here tremendously and hope to see him again at Gallaudet someday!