Colin served as the President of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) from 2011 to 2019. Prior to this, Colin served as a board member for WFD from 2003 to 2011. Additionally, Colin served as Chair of the International Disability Alliance (IDA). He guided and represented the WFD and IDA in their engagement with the United Nations System and with other international human rights agencies and international development organizations.  

Colin has advanced the human rights of deaf people and persons with disabilities for over 40 years through political, professional, and social involvement. His contributions to the Deaf Community began locally in his home state and then broadened to encompass Australia and the international realm.

In June 2022, Colin Allen was presented with a Doctor of Literature from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland for contributions to the Deaf Community in both his home state and more broadly, Australia and in recognition of his career as a prominent world leader and expert in Deaf Community development, human rights, and advocacy.

(* The "AM" signifies that Mr. Allen is a Member of the Order of Australia.)

PUBLICATIONS:

• Allen, C., Kurz, K., & Russell, D. (2021). A global report: International Perspectives on Leadership Among Deaf and Interpreter Communities
• Russell, D., and Allen, C. (2013). Book foreword for Napier, J., & McKee, R., & Goswell, D. (Sign language interpreting: Theory & practice – Serbian version). Translated and adapted by D. Zizic & V. Jovanovic. Serbia
• Haualand H., & Allen, C. (2009). Deaf People and Human Rights, World Federation of the Deaf and Swedish National Association of the Deaf
• Allen, C. (2008). Seven Regional Survey Reports of the Deaf Human Rights Survey Report, World Federation of the Deaf & Swedish National Association of the Deaf
• Allen, C. Walters, & S., Emerson, S. (2007). Balkan Survey Report (Insight into the situation of deaf people in Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey), Finnish Association of the Deaf