World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

World Federation of the Deaf was established in Rome, Italy on 23 September 1951 during the first World Congress of national Deaf associations under auspices of Italian Deaf Association. This early date makes it one of the oldest international organisations of people with disabilities in the world.

The World Federation of the Deaf is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation of deaf associations from 133 countries. In addition to this, its membership includes Associate Members, International Members and Individual Members as well as two categories of Youth Members. The WFD has 8 Regional Secretariats and one Co-operating Member. Its legal seat is in Helsinki, Finland where the WFD Secretariat operates.