Deaf Organisations & Partners
Established in 1995, the National Council is an umbrella group, comprising of local Deaf organisations in Ireland, to maintain a network of local and national organisations. The Council determine on the primary concerns and priorities affecting the Deaf Community, leading to the policies and the approaches to lobbying for equality and rights of Deaf people. Through this Council, the IDS have established policies of empowerment and independence among Deaf people.
National Level:
| Ireland | Deaf Heritage Centre |
| Ireland | Greenbow LGBTQ+ |
| Ireland | Irish Deaf Youth Assocication |
| Ireland | National Deaf Women of Ireland |
| Ireland | Deaf Sports Ireland |
| Ireland | Irish Deaf Vintage Club |
Local Level:
| Cork | Cork Deaf Club |
| Donegal | Donegal Deaf Group |
| Dublin | Dublin Deaf Association |
| Dublin | Over 55’s Deaf Day Centre |
| Dublin | 191st Dublin Deaf Scout Group |
| Dublin | St Mary’s Deaf Heritage Centre |
| Louth | Drogheda Deaf Society |
| Louth | Dundalk Deaf Group |
| Galway | Galway Deaf Club |
| Kerry | Kerry Deaf Group |
| Kildare | Kildare Deaf Social |
| Kilkenny | Kilkenny-Carlow Deaf Community |
| Laois | Loais Deaf Network |
| Limerick | Mid-West ISL HUB |
| Longford | Longford Deaf Social |
| Mayo | Mayo Deaf Group |
| Meath | Meath Deaf Association |
| Monaghan | Monaghan Deaf Group |
| Sligo | Sligo Deaf Group |
| Tipperary | North Tipp/Mid West Region |
| Waterford | Waterford Deaf Centre |
| Wicklow | Wicklow Deaf Society |
| Westmeath | Athlone Deaf Group |
| Wexford | Wexford Deaf Association |
European Union of the Deaf – EUD
The European Union of the DEAF (EUD) is a European non-profit making organisation whose membership comprises of National Associations of Deaf people in Europe. The EUD was established in 1985, and 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 Association members.
Website: www.eud.eu
World Federation of the Deaf – WFD
WFD is an international, non-governmental, central organisation comprising national associations of Deaf people. At present, emphasis is placed on the following areas:
- Improve the status of national sign languages
- Better education for Deaf people
- Improve access to information and services
- Improve human rights for Deaf people in developing countries
- Promote the establishment of Deaf organisations where none currently exist
The highest decision making body of WFD is the General Assembly (GA). Every Ordinary Member has the right to send up to two Deaf delegates to attend the GA, held every four years. The GA is held in conjunction with the quadrennial World Congress of the WFD.
Website: www.wfdeaf.org