On Sept. 23, 1951, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) was established in Rome during the first World Congress of national Deaf associations under auspices of Italian Deaf Association.

The WFD is an international non-governmental organisation representing approximately 70 million Deaf people worldwide. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of these 70 million live in developing countries, where authorities are rarely familiar with their needs or desires.

Today, the WFD unites national associations of deaf people from every continent, reflecting its global presence and commitment to advocating for the rights of all deaf people around the world.