Deaf News: ‘No official decision’ taken on UK’s membership of the European Union of the Deaf

A decision is yet to be taken on the United Kingdom’s future membership of the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), The Limping Chicken has been told.

It comes after the transition period for the UK’s exit from the European Union ended on 31 December, with questions raised over whether it will remain a member of the EUD after Brexit.

In a statement, an EUD spokesperson said: “This is indeed a very important topic for EUD at the moment, however no official decision has been adopted yet.”

A decision will be made at the organisation’s next General Assembly, with detailed information provided afterwards.

Under the organisation’s statutes, only National Associations of the Deaf (NADs) active in either a EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member state are eligible for full membership of the EUD – something which no longer applies to the UK outside of the EU.

However, it goes on to add that honorary membership may be granted to “any individual, legal or physical” which has contributed “important and outstanding European and international services” to the EUD and the Deaf community in Europe.

The UK’s NAD, the British Deaf Association, did not respond to a request for comment.

Photo: The European Union of the Deaf (EUD).

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.