Ukraine becomes affiliated member of the European Union of the Deaf

The Ukrainian Society of the Deaf has been made an affiliated member of the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), in what has been described as a “significant moment” by the representative body.

In a vote at the General Assembly in Marseille on Saturday, members agreed to allow UTOG to become part of the EUD as the country continues to come under attack from Russian forces.

Announcing the news on Twitter, the EUD said: “In a unanimous vote, the EUD General Assembly accepts the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf as an affiliated member. Ukraine is part of the European family and EUD stands with you!”

A very significant moment – in an unanimous vote, the EUD General Assembly accepts the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf as an affiliated member. Ukraine is part of the European family & EUD stands with you! EUD President & Vice-President with the @UtogOrg President 🇺🇦🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/LIgerxa9wa

— European Union of the Deaf (@EUD_Brussels) May 28, 2022

The international Deaf community united to support Ukraine in February, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to capture the neighbouring country for the purposes of “denazification”.

The World Federation of the Deaf released a statement on the war in March, expressing support for the country, and launching a fundraising campaign.

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.