The World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB) is proud to announce the appointment of the members of its newly formed Youth Committee for the term 2024-2028. This committee will focus on the inclusion, empowerment, and representation of young individuals who are deafblind, aiming to strengthen their voices and ensure they have an active role in shaping the future of the organization.
The WFDB Youth Committee is a dynamic group of five members from Europe, Africa, North America and Asia who identify as deafblind, representing diverse regions around the globe. These voluntary positions reflect a deep commitment to advocating for and advancing the inclusion of the deafblind youth community.
If you have any questions or are interested in exploring partnership opportunities, please feel free to reach out to the committee at youth.committee@wfdb.eu.
Meet the 2024-2028 Members:
1. Pere Cantenys Gómez (Spain, Europe)
Pere Cantenys Gómez is the leader of the WFDB Youth Committee.
He is a Human Resources expert with a master’s degree in Human Resources and a diploma in Internati
onal Trade. He has extensive professional experience, having worked in a Spanish airline company. He has also spent a year in the USA to study at Gallaudet University, a world-renowned institution for the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Over the years, Pere has actively participated in various non-governmental organizations, including serving as an advisor for European Deafblind Youth (EDBY) and being a member of the Catalonia Spanish Association of the Deafblind Youth Group. He is also part of the founding team of the European Deaf Students’ Union and has represented Spain as a swimming technician at the Deaflympics twice. His contributions have been recognized with several honorary diplomas.
With his wide-ranging experience and dedication to advocacy, Pere is well-prepared to lead the WFDB Youth Committee and create lasting impact for young people with deafblindness.
If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to contact Pere Cantenys Gómez at youth.leader@wfdb.eu.
2. Agnes Pius Kivike (Tanzania, Africa)
Agnes Pius Kivike is an educator and advocate, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Arts) from the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Tanzania, awarded in 2024. Specializing in Kiswahili, she teaches in secondary schools.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Agnes actively participates in Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) activities. She currently serves as the treasurer for Deaf-blind Tanzania (VIZIWI-WASIOONA TANZANIA – VIWATA) and is a proud member of the What Girls Want Cohort, a collective of young women in Tanzania advocating for gender equality.
Agnes regularly attending workshops and conferences to stay updated on the latest trends, particularly in the digital landscape. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys reading about personal development, volunteering with local charities, and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Tanzania.
3. Rocky Hart (USA, North America)
Rocky Hart resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the Midwestern region of the United States. Diagnosed with Norrie’s Disease at infancy, Rocky is congenitally blind and began losing his hearing around age 10, communicating primarily through spoken English.
He spent most of his childhood in Crosby, Minnesota, located in the West Central part of the state. From ages 12 to 18, Rocky attended the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, graduating in May 2021. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at North Central University, with the aspiration of becoming a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor specializing in supporting DeafBlind individuals.
As a dedicated and passionate advocate for the needs of the blind and DeafBlind communities, Rocky is a member of the National Federation of the Blind, where he serves on the board of its DeafBlind Division. Additionally, he is a board member for DeafBlind Citizens in Action, both of which are organizations based in the United States focused on advocating for issues affecting the DeafBlind community.
In addition to his advocacy work, Rocky is employed part-time at the Helen Keller National Center, headquartered in Sands Point, NY. There, he works as an Adaptive Technology Instructor and serves as a DeafBlind mentor for youth and young adults in transition.
4. Shrutilata Singh (India, Asia)
Shrutilata Singh is a dedicated advocate for the rights of people with deafblindness in India. She has progressive deafblindness and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, a Diploma in Physiotherapy from Ahmedabad University, and a Certificate in Food and Nutrition (CFN).
Since joining Sense International India in April 2020, Shrutilata has actively engaged with various stakeholders to advocate for the rights of individuals with deafblindness. Her work focuses on rights-based advocacy and building the capacity of family members and young individuals with deafblindness. She coordinates the activities of the National Network of Adults with Deafblindness (Udaan) supported by Sense International India.
Before her role at Sense International, Shrutilata gained three years of experience as a pediatric physiotherapist in early intervention centers at reputable institutions in Ahmedabad and Himmatnagar.
As a recognized role model in the field of deafblindness, she has presented papers at both national and international conferences. Notable contributions include speaking engagements at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2022, the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), and the United Nations Conference of State Parties (UNCOSP), with her latest participation at the Civil Society 20 (C20) Summit 2023. Shrutilata is also an Executive Member of the Commonwealth Children and Youth with Disability Network, representing UNGEI, and has been appointed as one of 22 Ambassadors for the International Purple Festival Goa 2024.
Her areas of interest include safety with accessibility, raising awareness about deafblindness, advocating for the rights of girls and women with deafblindness, promoting inclusive higher education for people with deafblindness, and enhancing digital accessibility and technology support.
5. Clarisse Merlet (France, Europe)
Clarisse Merlet is a woman with deafblindness from France. She describes herself as curious and sociable, with a love for deep conversations. However, she’s also honest about her challenges, saying she can be a bit impulsive, stubborn, and impatient, especially when faced with too much information at once.
As a teenager, Clarisse discovered her passion for writing and began sharing her experiences with deafblindness on Facebook. With the rise of Instagram, she shifted to making videos and reels, using her great sense of humor to share her daily life through comedy sketches.
At 26, Clarisse joined the Frontrunners program to develop her leadership skills and connect with others in the European network. This experience revealed her talent for communication. After returning to France, she became the President of the National Association of Deafblind People (RNSA) and took on the role of coordinator for young deafblind people in Europe, including organizing the EDBY training scheduled for 2026 in Malta.
In addition to her advocacy work, Clarisse enjoys creating educational courses to help build a strong deafblind identity and promote a more inclusive world.
Today, she is thrilled to continue working with deafblind people worldwide and is always ready to take on new challenges.
These newly appointed members are committed to enhancing the visibility and representation of young deafblind individuals within the WFDB and beyond. They will work collaboratively to address the unique challenges faced by the deafblind youth community and ensure their voices are heard on an international stage.
Together, let’s empower and uplift the voices of the deafblind youth community!