Association For the Deaf (AFD) is a self help association that promotes the rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D&HH) people in Lao PDR. AFD conducts activities and promotes Sign Language in
accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Article 21 which states that all appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that persons with disabilities have freedom of
expression and opinion, and access to information. To promote this convention and the rights of deaf
and hard of hearing people, AFD:
Conducts training sessions for deaf family members, govt staff, medical professionals
Research and develops Laos official Sign Language
Provides vocational training workshops for Deaf members
Provides sign language interpreting and translation services
Produce sign language dictionary and conversational manual. Our Achievements:
• AFD has delivered Human Rights and Sign Language awareness training to build capacity in five
provinces:
Champasak
Xienkuang
Oudomxay
Luangphabang
Vientiane Capital
• AFD developed the First Sign Language dictionary which was a milestone in the move towards D&HH people’s equal participation in society in Laos.
• AFD trained teachers in deaf schools in other provinces such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannahkhet to help build the curriculum
• AFD has trained various government department officials to raise awareness
• AFD is working towards the first ever conversational Sign Language book
• AFD delivered free Sign Language lessons to raise the awareness among the community.
