Międzynarodowa Federacja Młodzieży Słabosłyszącej

What is IFHOHYP?

IFHOHYP is an international non-governmental federation for national and regional youth organizations that are dedicated to hard of hearing young people throughout the world and is independent of sex, race, religion, nationality and politics. Our greatest priority is improving the quality of life of hard of hearing youth worldwide and promoting equal rights for hard of hearing young people at all levels of society. IFHOHYP specializes in meeting the changing needs of hard of hearing young people. We raise disability awareness on national and international level through activities run by and for hard of hearing young people aged from 18 to 35.

The work of IFHOHYP is carried out on three levels: political, inforational, and educational providing personal and professional development opportunities for members. IFHOHYP is the only international youth disability organization which is actively cooperating with the Council of Europe an intergovernmental organization that works toward human rights, democracy and promoting cultural dialogue in Europe. IFHOHYP also works closely with an Advisory Council of Youth within the Council of Europe, a statutory body comprised of 30 representatives that can affect the political agenda of the youth sector and other sectors of the Council of Europe. IFHOHYP is an associate member of the European Disability Forum and closely coorperates with EFHOH and IFHOH.

Who is Hard of Hearing?

In IFHOHYP, there are young people who mainly rely on hearing aids, oral speech and lip-reading, and those who have become totally deaf after acquisition of speech. Verbal language is sometimes supported by sign language, depending on the individual’s abilities.

What is IFHOHYP mission?

• To promote equal rights for hard of hearing young people. Hard of hearing young people have the right to a good education, freedom of choice, the right to equal treatment at labour market, necessary technical aids and support.
• To defend the intersts of hard of hearing young people and express them towards international bodies.
• To serve as a platform for cooperation and exchange of information between organizations of hard of hearing youth.
• To encourage a better understanding of hard of hearing young people and their problems among the general public.