International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on 23 September during the International Week of Deaf People.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 and first observed in 2018, the day promotes awareness of sign languages and the linguistic and cultural rights of deaf people.

International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on 23 September to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages and promote the linguistic and cultural rights of deaf people worldwide. The observance takes place during the International Week of Deaf People.

History of International Day of Sign Languages

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages through Resolution A/RES/72/161, adopted on 19 December 2017. The proposal was introduced by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations following a request from the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). The first International Day of Sign Languages was observed on 23 September 2018.

The date was chosen because the World Federation of the Deaf was established on 23 September 1951. The observance therefore connects the history of the international deaf movement with global efforts to protect sign-language rights.

Significance

Sign languages are fully developed natural languages with their own grammatical structures. According to the United Nations, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide, with more than 80% living in developing countries, and they collectively use more than 300 different sign languages.

The International Day of Sign Languages highlights the importance of early access to sign language, quality education in sign language, accessibility and recognition of the linguistic identity of deaf communities. It also promotes the principle that sign languages have equal status with spoken languages.

The observance supports the rights recognised under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including the recognition and promotion of sign languages.

International Week of Deaf People

International Day of Sign Languages is observed during the International Week of Deaf People, an international campaign led by the World Federation of the Deaf. The week promotes awareness of the experiences, achievements, cultures and rights of deaf communities around the world.

Why International Day of Sign Languages Is Observed

The day encourages governments, institutions and the public to recognise sign languages as essential to communication, education, participation and cultural identity. It also draws attention to the need for deaf people to have access to information and public services in their preferred sign languages.

International Day of Sign Languages ultimately celebrates the linguistic diversity of deaf communities while promoting human rights, accessibility, inclusion and equal participation.