Various organisations play an important role in the Deaf community. Organisations are responsible to lobby for the Deaf, to be the voice of the Deaf and to look at human rights issues like education, the use of SASL, and the right to a job. There are various organisations in SA and in the world:
- DeafSA – Deaf Federation of South Africa (National and Provincial level)
The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA), South Africa’s largest organisation representing about one (1) million Deaf people, is recognised internationally by, among others, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and demands that Deaf people’s only language, namely South African Sign Language (SASL), be recognised as the 12th official language
- NID – National Institute for the Deaf in Worcester
The National Institute for the Deaf (NID) is the only facility in South Africa and Africa that provides services to Deaf people and persons with hearing loss of all ages. They offer specialised care, education, and training to empower and restore human dignity. The NID College is an occupational skills training institution and is the only FET College in Africa that caters for the specific needs of students with hearing loss.
- DTV – Deaf TV
DTV was originally designed as a youth magazine programme for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and has become the pioneer in deaf television programmes. DTV has been commissioned by SABC 3 on a yearly basis since 1996 and each weekly episode of DTV features stories designed to inspire, empower, and educate. It is broadcast on Saturdays at 12:00.
- DeafNET
DeafNET Centre of Knowledge is a network of knowledge and expertise for Deaf people and their families in Africa. DeafNET empowers deaf people in Africa to represent themselves.
- WFD – World Federation of the Deaf
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organisation representing approximately 70 million Deaf people worldwide. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of these 70 million live in developing countries, where authorities are rarely familiar with their needs or desires.
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