These organizations will hereafter be referred to as either Ordinary Members or national organizations.
Ordinary membership is limited to one national organization of the deaf in each country.
If two or more national organizations of the Deaf exist in any country and are unable to become united into a single organization, the Federation shall establish an appropriate procedure to determine which of the national organizations of the deaf has the widest recognition among the Deaf population in that country. Any national organization which does not meet the above-given definition of a national organization of the Deaf but desires to support the aims of the WFD may be admitted to the Associate Membership category with permission of the national organization of the Deaf of that country. If no national organization of the Deaf exists, such applicants may be granted temporary associate memberships. Organizations in this category shall called Associate Members. Ordinary Members are responsible for the recruitment of organizations for or of the deaf for Associate Membership.