CALL FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

The Scientific Committee for the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf invites the submission of abstracts for presentations. The official languages of the Congress are English, South African Sign Language and International Sign. The Organising Committee welcomes abstracts that focus on the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf Theme “Global Deaf Renaissance” from birth to adulthood on the following 4 sub-themes:

1. Deaf education

Equal Access to Education
As the Deaf Community we seek to achieve Equal Access for all, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, or disability, to educational resources and opportunities. This goal is pursued through research, education, and legislation.

Becoming Multilingual
This stream will look at the implementation of successful bilingual programs and how Deaf children can succeed as multilingual individuals in a globalised world.

2. Sign Languages and Deaf Studies

Achieving Legal Recognition of Sign Language
This stream will offer case studies of successful efforts to achieve legal recognition of sign languages and the implications of this recognition for Deaf people’s lives.

Why Deaf?
Deaf communities worldwide are facing rapid changes, with genetic and demographic changes transforming communities worldwide. Deaf Studies scholars now face the question: Why should Deaf people exist? What do Deaf people offer to the world that other people cannot? Why would the world be a poorer place without Deaf people?

3. Developing Countries

Intelligent Conflict Management
This session will look into the various conflicts faced by developing countries in uniting their members. It will empower them with a range of skills in conflict management and ideas on how to build a better relationship with their members.

Social and Economic Empowerment
To strengthen the spiritual, political, social and economic strength of Deaf individuals and Deaf communities around the globe and to be empowered by developing confidence in our own capacities.

4. Human Rights
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of  Discrimination against Women
• Convention on the Rights of the Child and Youth Programmes
• Human Rights Instruments
The four streams for the Human Rights Commission are designed to give Congress attendees knowledge of relevant human rights instruments. Presentations will offer Deaf people the opportunity to learn how to use these tools to efficiently lobby governments and civic institutions to implement full human rights. Presentations on the human rights of particular groups, such as youth and senior citizens, are welcomed.

Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Group topics will cover:
• Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual People (LGBT);
• Deaf Ethnic Groups;
• CODAs – Children of Deaf Adults;
• Deafblind;
• Deaf Mental Health;
• Sign Language Interpreters; Families and Senior      Citizens;
• Technology

The deadline for abstract submission is on 31 October 2010. Abstracts can be submitted on-line or by e-mail. For more information, please visit: www.wfd2011.com/abstracts