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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>This was forwarded to me via the Florida
Association of the Deaf</SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Alysse</SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN lang=EN-ZA></SPAN> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN lang=EN-ZA></SPAN> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN lang=EN-ZA><IMG SRC="cid:X.MA1.1312487477@aol.com" width=54 height=46 v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" DATASIZE="2469" ID="MA1.1312487477" ></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=EN-ZA><FONT face="Times New Roman">Legal Seat – <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Helsinki</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Finland</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=EN-ZA><FONT face="Times New Roman">WORLD FEDERATION OF THE
DEAF<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" lang=EN-ZA>An International
Non-Governmental Organisation in official liaison with ECOSOC, UNESCO,
</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black" lang=EN-ZA><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" lang=EN-ZA>ILO, WHO and the Council of
Europe</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" lang=EN-ZA>,</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" lang=EN-ZA>established in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Rome</st1:City></st1:place> in 1951</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black" lang=EN-ZA><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; mso-ansi-language: FI; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=FI><FONT face="Times New Roman">PO Box 65, FIN-00401 Helsinki,
FINLAND<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-VARIANT: small-caps; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; mso-ansi-language: FI; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=FI><FONT face="Times New Roman">FAX:<st2:PhoneNumbers w:st="on"> +358 9
5803 572</st2:PhoneNumbers><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt" lang=EN-ZA><A href="http://www.wfdeaf.org/"><FONT color=#0000ff face="Times New Roman">www.wfdeaf.org</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3" class=MsoNormal align=center><STRONG><SPAN lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3" class=MsoNormal align=center><STRONG><SPAN lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3" class=MsoNormal align=center><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><STRONG><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>CONGRESS
RESOLUTION</SPAN></STRONG><B><SPAN lang=EN-ZA><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal align=center><STRONG><SPAN lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">XVI WORLD CONGRESS OF THE WORLD<SPAN style="COLOR: #333333"> FEDERATION OF THE
DEAF</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA><BR><STRONG><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">18-24 July
2011, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Durban</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">South
Africa</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA>The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), its
Members and the 2,100 participants from 125 countries at the</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA> <EM>XVI World Congress of the World
Federation of the Deaf in Durban, South Africa, 18-24 July
2011.<o:p></o:p></EM></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA>Recalling</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> the statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights in the Opening Ceremony of the World Congress, “participation is a key
human rights principle. However, without adequate access to sign language
interpretation, bilingual education and recognition of sign language, there are
important barriers” to the full enjoyment by deaf people of their human rights,
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA>Reaffirming </SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto,
specifically:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Article 3: respect for
difference and acceptance of deaf persons as part of human diversity and
humanity,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Article 9: enabling persons
with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of life including access
to information and communications including provision of professional sign
language interpreters,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Article 21: recognising and
promoting the use of sign languages,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Article 24: ensuring that
the education of deaf children is delivered in the most appropriate languages
for the individual and in environment which maximises academic and social
development and employing teachers who are qualified in sign
language,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Article 25: ensuring deaf
persons have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
health without discrimination,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Article 30: recognising the
right of deaf persons to take part on an equal basis with others in cultural
life including the recognition and support of sign languages and deaf
culture,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333" lang=EN-ZA>Recalling</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> also that deaf women and girls are often subject to multiple
discrimination and emphasizing the need to incorporate a gender perspective in
all efforts to promote the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental
freedoms by persons with disabilities,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></P>
<OL type=1>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Reaffirms </SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>the need to
promote quality deaf education and calls upon governments to take active
measures:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI>
<OL type=a>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to promote policies that permit deaf
people of all ages to develop as multilingual and multicultural persons and
to promote their social and emotional
development;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to protect the right of deaf people to
be educated in sign language;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to emphasize the need for research-based
best practise models in deaf
education;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to ensure appropriate support in
inclusive settings, including professional sign language
interpreters;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to employ in the schools teachers who
are qualified and fluent in sign language including deaf teachers, to
promote the cultural and linguistic identity of the
deaf;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI></OL></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=2>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Urges </SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>the
promotion of sign language and deaf
studies<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI>
<OL type=a>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to encourage and promote the recognition
of sign language as a fundamental human right for all deaf people including
infants and children;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to promote research into sign languages
and deaf cultures;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to promote the many unique positive
contributions of deaf people that can be offered as benefits to the wider
society;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI></OL></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=3>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Emphasizes </SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>the need
for constant attention to the needs of deaf communities in developing
countries, particularly in <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>, and urges
members and governments:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI>
<OL type=a>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to empower deaf associations in
developing countries with particular attention to the strengthening of
organisational capacity;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to emphasize the active role of deaf
associations in capacity-building and leadership programmes for developing
countries;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to work and cooperate with the
Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (SADPD) in
order to ensure the participation and inclusion of deaf people in disability
programming processes in <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI></OL></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=4>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Reaffirms</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> that deaf
people have full equality and enjoyment of their human
rights<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI>
<OL type=a>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to ensure that a positive image of deaf
people as a natural part of human diversity be promoted
worldwide;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to develop information and training for
national deaf associations on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of
the Child (CRC) to ensure that deaf women and girls are empowered in all
areas of their lives;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to train deaf communities around the
world in their rights under the
CRPD;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to ensure that governments adopt the
CRPD and its Optional Protocol to enable deaf people to enforce their rights
under the CRPD;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to ensure that information on sign
language development for children with cochlear implants be provided to
parents, and that WFD create a position paper on cochlear
implants;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to promote early identification and
family-centred early intervention including sign language and exposure to
deaf culture to ensure optimal access to social and academic
success;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">to promote research in conjunction with
WFD into improving access to health care for deaf people around the
world;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></EM></LI></OL></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=5>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Calls on</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> deaf
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons to actively promote
their right to freedom of association and to protection as any other person
and to include deaf LGBT in WFD programmes of empowerment, capacity-building
and self-pride;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=6>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Urges </SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>the
strengthening of the field of sign language interpreting through professional
interpreter training programmes and interpreter mentors, and to promote
research on the effect of professional sign language interpreters in inclusive
education and the consequences on the quality of life of deaf
students;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=7>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Strongly urges</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> the
promotion and development of access to mental health services for deaf
children, youth, adults and the elderly, and to initiate and encourage
research into mental health models for deaf
populations;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=8>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Affirms </SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>the
importance of the recognition of children of deaf adults (CODAs) as
multilingual persons with a significant contribution to their families, their
schools and local communities, and to promote national CODA
organisations;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=9>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Encourages</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> the
promotion of sign language and deaf culture training to parents of deaf
children;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=10>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Urges</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> the
availability of appropriate services to deaf senior
citizens;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=11>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Encourages
</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA>full use of the latest technological advances to enhance access and
communication for all deaf
people;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=12>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Reaffirms</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> the
importance of appropriate services for deafblind people to ensure their full
participation in society;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT></LI></OL>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoListParagraph><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; COLOR: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<OL type=1 start=13>
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><EM><SPAN lang=EN-ZA>Strongly encourages</SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA> its
members to form strong ties with their national deaf youth movement and to
support youth activities in their respective
countries.</SPAN></EM></FONT></FONT><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic" lang=EN-ZA><o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P align=center><FONT lang=0 color=#004080 size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"><B><I><BR>Alysse Suzanne Rasmussen, MA<BR>ASLTA Certification:
Qualified</B></I><BR><B><I>TeachASL <A href="http://www.teachasl.org/">www.teachasl.org</A></B></I></FONT><FONT lang=0 color=#004080 size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"></B></I><BR><B><I>IDI Administrator, RID Sponsor<BR>President,
Florida ASLTA, <A href="http://www.faslta.org/">www.faslta.org</A></FONT><FONT lang=0 color=#004080 size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">
</B></I><BR><B><I>Chairman, Lulu G Lemery Foundation for Arts & Expression,
Inc.<A href="http://www.lemery.org/"> www.lemery.org</A></B></I></B></I><BR>
<P align=left><BR></P>
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