European Union of the Deaf to call for Ukraine to be made a member

The board of the European Union of the Deaf will call on national deaf associations to accept Ukraine as a member later this year, as Russia’s military attack on the country continues.

The move, announced on Tuesday, follows an application by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join the European Union on Monday, which is now with the European Commission.

His office tweeted: “[I] had a phone conversation with [European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen]. Talked about concrete decisions on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, macro-financial assistance and Ukraine’s membership in the EU.”

In a statement responding to the crisis, the EUD said it “stands in solidarity” with the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf (USD) and “strongly condemns [Russia’s] acts of violence”.

European Union of the Deaf (EUD) stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf (USD) @UtogOrg & urges national associations of the deaf in Europe to:

(i) raise awareness in their national sign languages about the need to stop the aggression against Ukraine

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/fjFvJMJCol

— European Union of the Deaf (@EUD_Brussels) March 1, 2022

They wrote: “[The] EUD stands firmly with everyone in Ukraine, especially deaf persons who face disproportionate effects from the armed conflict caused by Russia.

“To offer support for the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf (USD) EUD urges the National Associations of the Deaf (NADs) to cooperate and aid the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf (USD) and raise awareness in their national sign languages about the need to stop the aggression against Ukraine, advocate for an inclusive humanitarian aid in their country and raise awareness of how to ensure that deaf refugees are not left behind.

“To clearly demonstrate the intent to support the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf, EUD Board will formally propose to all NADs to accept the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf as a member of EUD during the General Assembly in Marseilles, France. We aim at officially recognising USD as one of our European colleagues.”

The body also linked to the World Federation of the Deaf’s donation campaign to support Deaf Ukrainians, which was launched on Monday.

Photo: European Union of the Deaf.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.