A strong expert

Over the past few decades, the Association for the Deaf has developed into a renowned international expert. Since the 1980s, the Finnish deaf community has actively operated in the international arena. The social position of deaf people was relatively good in the Nordic countries, which prompted discussions for starting development cooperation. Finnish development cooperation began in Africa in the 1980s, with young deaf people eager to accept expert positions in international projects aimed at improving the position of sign language and promoting the work performed by associations.

In 1987, Finland assumed a prominent role internationally when the World Federation of the Deaf held its congress in Finland, Liisa Kauppinen was elected the General Secretary and the federation’s secretariat relocated to Helsinki. At this point, the federation’s focus shifted to the deaf people in developing countries. In the 1990s, regional cooperation began with Russia and other ex-Soviet countries. New doors opened for promoting sign language in Europe when Finland joined the EU in 1995.

In the 1990s, the Finnish Association for the Deaf advocated strongly for increasing employment among deaf people and promoting communications, the work of the associations and language rights. An important goal for advocacy work was achieved in 1995 when the constitution was amended to guarantee the rights of people who use sign language. Employment and training programmes were launched to reduce unemployment among deaf people. Important steps in access to information included the launch of TV news in sign language in 1994. In the 2000s, a current affairs show, Viikko viitottuna (the week in sign language), began airing, and subtitling in television programmes became more common.

Over the years, the nature of association activities has changed, and the events are mainly attended by older people but, at the same time, younger generations have forged new networks that are not dependent on geographical location with the help of modern technology. This has made the deaf community increasingly international. However, it still remains a close-knit community.

The situation of deaf people in Finland is now better than ever. The status of sign languages is protected in the constitution, the sign language committee of the Institute for the Languages of Finland ensure they can maintain their language skills, the University of Jyväskylä teaches sign language as a major subject and interpretation services are protected by law. The Sign Language Act, passed in 2015, is designed to promote the rights of people who use Finnish or Finland-Swedish sign language. Under this law, people who use sign language are truly regarded as a cultural and linguistic group.

However, we are still some way from full equality. The goal of the Association for the Deaf is to ensure that deaf people who use sign language are on an equal standing with everyone else in all areas and at every stage of their lives. In the 2000s, Carl Oscar Malm’s dream of equality for deaf people is finally becoming reality.