EFHOH is pleased to announce the nomination of Jonathan Elebjörk Wahlström, Co-chair of EDF Youth Committee, as its candidate for the Board and Executive Committee of the European Disability Forum (EDF). The elections will take place in May 2026 during the EDF General Assembly in Cyprus.
Who is Jonathan Elebjörk Wahlström?
Jonathan Elebjörk Wahlström is a Swedish lawyer and dedicated disability advocate with extensive experience across national, European, and international contexts. With a strong background in legal frameworks and disability policy, Jonathan brings a strategic, rights-based and forward-looking perspective to governance and leadership within the European disability movement.
Currently serving as Secretary General of the Swedish Organisation for Hard of Hearing Young People (Unga Hörselskadade) and Board Member of the Swedish National Council of Youth Organisations, Jonathan has demonstrated leadership in coordinating policy work and managing organisational structures, ensuring that the voices of young people with hearing loss are effectively represented at the national level. Their previous role as President of the organisation and Board Member of the International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People further highlights their capacity to lead European and international advocacy and to engage directly with policymakers.
Their presence in EDF Youth Committee
Since 2022, Jonathan has been a highly active and influential member of the EDF Youth Committee, serving as Co-chair and representing the Committee as a co-opted member of the EDF Executive Committee. In this capacity, they have played a strategic role in strengthening the connection between youth perspectives and EDF’s governance structures.
Their advocacy, youth representation and vision
As an active advocate at the European level, Jonathan has represented young hard of hearing people in high-level discussions, including their participation in the Youth Dialogue with Commissioner Hadja Lahbib in Brussels this year. Their strong engagement highlights the ability to bring the perspectives of young people directly into European policy conversations and decision-making spaces.
Their vision is driven by three core priorities:
- Broadening the Understanding of Accessibility: Ensuring that accessibility goes beyond physical environments to fully include digital and sound accessibility.
- Addressing Communication Barriers: Representing the European hard of hearing and deaf communities by ensuring that policies reflect the complexities of hearing loss, hearing technologies, and inclusive communication.
- Strengthening Cross-Disability Solidarity: Drawing on lived experience as a hard of hearing person and sustained engagement in cross-disability collaboration to foster stronger cooperation across the European disability movement.
Their priorities for the EDF Board
- Member-Led Accountability: Ensuring that EDF remains a truly representative organisation, rooted in its members, through transparent, professional, and accessible governance.
- Intersectionality: Advancing underrepresented voices, including LGBTQ+ persons and young people, to ensure no one is left behind within the European disability movement.
- Strengthening Youth Sector Synergy: Reinforcing the strategic link between the disability movement and the broader European youth sector to ensure meaningful youth representation across all levels.
EFHOH strongly believes that meaningful youth participation is essential for the future of the disability movement. Jonathan’s unique profile, combining youth leadership, legal expertise, and a strong grounding in disability rights, positions them as an outstanding candidate to advance this priority within EDF. Their active role within the Youth Committee is not only a demonstration of commitment but also clear evidence of their capacity to translate youth perspectives into concrete contributions at the highest levels of EDF’s work.
EFHOH proudly supports Jonathan Elebjörk Wahlström’s candidacy and is confident that their experience, commitment, and vision will make a valuable contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities across Europe.
Check Jonathan’s video campaign HERE.
