WFDB’s membership structure includes various categories to ensure representation, support, and active participation from individuals and organizations around the world. Members fall under the following types:
1. National Members
National members represent the deafblind population within their respective countries. Only one national member is permitted per country, and each organization’s board must be composed of at least 50% individuals with deafblindness.
2. Associate Membership
Open to individuals, organizations, and institutions that share WFDB’s mission and goals. Associate members are crucial partners in WFDB’s advocacy and support efforts.
3. Individual Membership
This category is available to individuals with deafblindness who do not officially represent the deafblind population of their country. Individual members have the right to participate and speak at the General Assembly, although they do not have voting privileges.
4. Sponsoring Membership
Individuals, organizations, and institutions that wish to support WFDB financially can join as sponsoring members. These memberships play a vital role in sustaining the organization’s initiatives.
National members
WFDB currently has 64 national member organizations representing countries from all over the world, including:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Republic of Guinea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zambia.
WFDB collaborates regionally with organizations like The European Deafblind Union (EDbU), The African Federation of the Deafblind (AFDB), and The Latin American Federation of Deafblind People (FLASC).
Associate members
WFDB has built valuable partnerships with leading organizations, including The World Blind Union (WBU), The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), Deafblind International (DbI), Sense International (SI), and The World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI).
In 2007, WFDB achieved consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and joined the International Disability Alliance (IDA). The WFDB President participates on the Executive Committee and Board of IDA, enhancing WFDB’s role in global disability advocacy.
Individual members
WFDB welcomes any individual who identifies as deafblind to join as an individual member. This membership offers a valuable platform for personal representation and engagement within the global community.
Sponsoring members
Sponsoring Members are vital supporters who help sustain WFDB’s mission through financial contributions. This membership category is open to individuals, organizations, and institutions that believe in WFDB’s goals and wish to assist in expanding the reach and impact of advocacy efforts for the global deafblind community. Sponsoring members receive regular updates on WFDB’s activities, reports on the impact of their contributions, and opportunities to engage in specific projects, allowing them to see firsthand how their support fosters inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for people with deafblindness worldwide.
Would you like to become a part of our community? Join us here!