About

From creative, fashion industry to hearing loss and accessibility advocacy. Lidia’s life changing experience of becoming late deafened has spurned her to become an advocate and champion for accessibility and inclusion for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Today Lidia Best is a leading international voice on accessibility, hearing loss inclusion, and the rights of deaf and hard‑of‑hearing people. Her work sits at the intersection of policy, technology, and human rights, shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience as a hard‑of‑hearing person and cochlear implant user. Over more than a decade, she has become one of Europe’s most influential advocates for communication access, inclusive design, and equitable hearing care.

As President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), Lidia represents millions of citizens across Europe, working with EU institutions, national governments, and civil society to advance policies that remove barriers in employment, media, public services, and digital communication. Her leadership has strengthened EFHOH’s role as a trusted partner in shaping European accessibility legislation and promoting high‑quality hearing care.

Lidia’s impact extends globally through her role as Chair of the ITU Joint Coordination Activity on Accessibility and Human Factors (JCA‑AHF). At the International Telecommunication Union, she brings the perspectives of persons with disabilities into international ICT standards, ensuring that emerging technologies—from audio‑augmenting devices to communication platforms—are designed with safety, usability, and accessibility at their core. Her contributions to ITU publications and standards have helped set global benchmarks for inclusive communication and safe listening.

In the United Kingdom, Lidia serves as Chair of the National Association of Deafened People (NADP), where she champions communication access, supports individuals navigating hearing loss, and contributes to national policy discussions on digital inclusion and accessible public services. Her work bridges grassroots advocacy and high‑level policy, giving visibility to the diverse experiences of deafened and hard‑of‑hearing people.

Across all her roles, Lidia is recognised for her ability to translate complex technical and policy issues into clear, actionable guidance. She is a frequent contributor to reports, interviews, and public conversations on hearing accessibility, and her insights are sought by organisations ranging from the WHO World Hearing Forum to European NGOs and standardisation bodies.

At the heart of Lidia’s work is a simple conviction: that hearing loss should never limit participation, opportunity, or dignity. Her leadership continues to shape a more inclusive world—one where communication is accessible, technology is designed for everyone, and the voices of people with hearing loss are heard and valued.

References:

G3ict Smart Cities4All, NeuroAbilities and WHO Making Listening Safe Workgroup.

National Association of Deafened People.( NADP) European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH).

Winner, Heather Jackson Award 2021.