The Deaf community in Finland was born in the middle of the 19th century, when the Deaf teacher Carl Oscar Malm returned to Finland after completing his education in Sweden. After returning home he established the first Deaf school in his hometown of Porvoo in 1846. In the beginning Malm used Swedish Sign language as the language of instruction. In time the language developed into two distinct new languages: Finnish Sign language and Finland-Swedish Sign language. The Sign language used in the schools began to spread and lead to the birth of the Deaf community and the beginning of organizational activities of the Deaf in Finland.

The first Deaf Club was established in Turku in 1886. Shortly thereafter Deaf Clubs were also established in Helsinki, Vaasa, Ilmajoki and Tampere. The goal of the Clubs was to improve the social, educational and legal status of its members.

The Finnish Association of Deaf-mutes was established in 1905 with one of its missions being to develop the Sign language and provide additional education.

With the rise of oralism, which emphasized the importance of speech and had a negative attitude toward Sign language, the situation of Sign language users deteriorated.

Marriage between genetically deaf people was prohibited in 1929. The ban was not lifted until 1969.

In 1950 the Finnish Association of Deaf –Mutes changed its name to the Finnish Association of the Deaf. The Deaf awareness movement that reached Finland at the end of the 1970's strengthened the view of the Deaf community as a cultural and linguistic minority.

Sign language interpreting services were created in the 1980's.

The status of Sign language was secured in the Constitution of Finland in 1995. The community was also quick to start utilizing the information technology. The concept of Sign language user became more common.

The Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD) has developed into a broad advocacy-, expert-, and service organization. It has for many decades been an internationally significant actor within the Deaf community, as well as a respected partner in cooperation outside the community.