7th June 2009

 

The Nordic Baltic Deaf Sports Federation NBDSF appeals to the authorities, which are responsible for making decisions on the funding for sports in the countries where the NBDSF members are from, in order to ensure equal status for funding for the physical exercise and sports activities of the deaf and to raise their possibilities of functioning to the same level with the activities the hearing and Paralympics organisations have received.

 

Deaf people differ from other groups of people with disabilities in that respect that they use sign language as their mother tongue. Most deaf people have difficulties in understanding and using the spoken and written language of their own country, their level of education is lower than in average, possibilities for functioning and access to information are more limited. This is the reason why the advocacy work for the sports organisations of the deaf is not on an equal level with the other organisations.

 

It is to be noted that every NBDSF member country has its own ways of functioning, own values and rules.

 

We kindly request that you could use the power you have to give better financial possibilities for the sports of the deaf to reach the level and appreciation it deserves.

 

 

 

Respectfully,

 

 

NBDSF MEMBER COUNTRIES

 

Finland    Suomen Kuurojen Urheiluliitto

Sweden    Svenska Dövas Idrottsforbundet

Norway    Norges Döves Idretsutvalg

Denmark    Dansk Döve- Idraetsforbund

Iceland    Iceland Deaf Sport Organization

Latvia    Latvijas Nedzirdigo Sporta Federacija

Lithuania    Lietuvos Kurciuju Sporto Committee.

Estonia    Eesti Kurtide Spordiliit