| EUD General Background The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) is a European non-profit making organisation whose membership comprises National Associations of Deaf people in Europe. Established in 1985, EUD is the only organisation representing the interests of Deaf Europeans at European Union level. EUD aims to establish and maintain EU level dialogues, making sure deaf issues are raised. We do this in consultation with National Deaf Associations' members. Our mission statement is to promote, advance and protect the rights of and opportunities for Deaf people in the European Union. Emancipation and equal opportunities are key philosophies in our work towards achieving an equal position in society with recognition of Deaf people as full citizens in our own right. This vision translates into three specific aims: Recognition of the right to use an indigenous sign language; In the course of our existence, EUD has implemented these aims in every aspect of our work. Both from an advocacy perspective and in our responses to situations we have monitored. Examples of our continued work are outlined: Recognition of the Right to Use an Indigenous Sign Language This is a core tenet of EUD's working objectives and significant change has occurred over the years. Successes include the European Parliament's resolutions on the recognition of sign languages in 1988 and again in 1998 and the European Commission sponsored Sign Languages Project (1996-1997) carried out by EUD. These actions have acted as a catalyst for member associations to work with their national governments in securing de facto, and in several cases, constitutional or legal recognition of their respective national sign language. We have utilised the European Year of Languages 2001 to highlight the fact that sign languages also contribute to linguistic diversity in Europe. This has involved discussion and co-operation with other European NGOs, (non-government organizations) including the European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages. We have also worked with the Council of Europe and the European Commission on the dissemination of information about the nature of sign languages. In 2003 a new milestone was reached when the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation 1598 (2003) on the protection of sign languages in the member states of the Council of Europe. This is an important achievement because it will also benefit Deaf people living in European countries which are not yet members of the European Union. Empowerment through Communication and Information Extensive developments in the fields of information and communication technology have reduced some of the communication barriers encountered by Deaf people. However, these potentially create other challenges (for example, incompatibility of software/hardware, cost of equipment, etc.). EUD has been involved in monitoring developments in these fields and has acted in an advisory capacity to the European Disability Forum (EDF) and the European Commission regarding EU policy. Together with EDF, the European Blind Union (EBU), and the European Federation of the Hard of Hearing (EFHOH), EUD has also lobbied for changes in European Directives (e.g. the EU Telecommunications Directives and the EU Television without Frontiers Directive ). Equality In Education And Employment EUD has consistently promoted the belief that training and education are a successful route to self-advocacy for Deaf citizens. Gaining equality in education and training includes accessibility of information, often presented in an indigenous sign language or via sign language interpretation. To this end EUD has regularly organised conferences and seminars on issues that are relevant to Deaf people in Europe . A main theme for EUD is non-discrimination in employment. EUD is contributing to the EU-wide process of implementing the European Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation at national level. EUD aims to do so by promoting exchanges of experiences between its members and their governments and others active in the field of non-discrimination. Co-ordination Activities We will respond to requests for information from our member organisations and individuals. In addition, we provide feedback to the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the European Disability Forum (EDF) on policy matters that are relevant to Deaf people. EUD is frequently asked to send a representative to give presentations at conferences/seminars all over Europe. Furthermore, EUD has been granted participatory status with the Council of Europe, effective from 29 December 2003. With EU enlargement on the horizon, EUD has been seeking contacts with National Deaf Associations in Central and Eastern Europe since 2000. EUD attended the 1st Deaf Pan-European conference held in 2000 in Ljubljana , Slovenia . In addition, EUD organised a pan-European meeting during the 14th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in July 2003 in Montréal, Canada, which was highly successful. National Deaf Associations from Central Europe have already submitted applications for EUD membership and it is hoped that EUD membership will soon mirror that of the EU. With EU enlargement on the horizon, EUD has been seeking contacts with National Deaf Associations in Central and Eastern Europe since 2000. EUD attended the 1 st Deaf Pan-European conference held in 2000 in Ljubljana , Slovenia . In addition, EUD organised a pan-European meeting during the 14th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in July 2003 in Montréal, Canada, which was highly successful. Co-operation with other organisations Through our membership of the European Disability Forum (EDF) (http://www.edf-feph.org), EUD has been able to establish strong links with other ENGOs, National Disability Councils and other social organisations. EUD also co-operates with the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) on global issues pertinent to the Deaf community. Summary We support members through the dissemination of information, offering advice and drawing on our broad network of contacts in the field of deafness and beyond. We monitor developments in domains relevant to Deaf citizens and respond where appropriate. We have developed strong partnerships with other key organisations and actively participate in events where the interests of our membership are likely to be affected. We recognise that much work remains to be done before our goals are adequately achieved. |
