World Federation for the Deaf Honorary President Dr Yerker Andersson passed away in Frederick, Maryland, USA on 18 July 2016.
Dr Andersson served two terms as WFD Vice President (1975-1983) and three terms as WFD President (1983-1995). Dr Andersson was the first deaf person to address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1992.
He became the First WFD Honorary President in 2011. During his time as WFD President, the WFD expanded greatly in membership, reaching out to deaf associations on every continent and becoming more actively involved with advocating for human rights of deaf people at the United Nations and other international agencies.
Dr. Andersson is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Marie “Nancy” Timko Andersson. In a statement released shortly after Dr. Andersson’s passing, the World Federation of the Deaf said, “Many of us knew Yerker as a foremost leader and a strong advocate for deaf people around the world. We can honour his work and achievements by building upon his work and continuing to promote the human rights of deaf people everywhere.”
