Deaf Associations
Several organizations that advocate for the health and civil rights of deaf people exist in the United States and across the world. Some organizations, such as the National Association of the Deaf, are nonprofit public advocacy groups. Other organizations focus on health care and philanthropy. Public advocacy for the deaf has a rich history dating back to the 19th century in the United States and elsewhere.
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The International Federation of the Deaf
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The International Federation of the Deaf (IFD) is the central, nongovernmental, international organization representing national groups for deaf people across the world. Deaf associations from 130 countries, including the National Association of the Deaf in the United States, are members of the IFD. The IFD was established in Rome, Italy in 1951 and currently maintains a central office in Helsinki, Finland. The IFD focuses on promoting better education of deaf people, improving the status of national sign languages, promoting the establishment of advocacy groups for deaf people and improving human rights for deaf people in developing countries.
National Association of the Deaf
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The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is a member of the IFD and the premier advocacy group for deaf people in the United States. NAD was established in 1880 by deaf Americans who believed that deaf people had the right to use sign language, congregate on issues important to deaf people and have their interests represented in national government. Today NAD focuses on fighting for the civil rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing people and holds American Sign Language as a core value. NAD is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization.
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The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a United States-based nonprofit established to help families, health care professionals and educators understand childhood hearing loss, its implications and the importance of early diagnosis. The organization has its roots in famous scientist and advocate Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory Association in Washington, D.C.
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References
- Photo Credit alphabet of signs - letter g image by Photosani from Fotolia.com
