International Day of Sign Languages

Join us on Tuesday, 23 September at the Palais des Nations for a vibrant celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages 2025 . Organized by UNOG in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Cuba and the Dominican Republic, this in-person event is open to the public. External visitors must  register via Indico. Sign Language Pop-up Café :  Start the afternoon at the Salon Suisse between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with tea, coffee and cookies, on the house! Even better: learn how to order your refreshments in sign language and practice your new skills right away. Official Opening & Interventions : The event will be inaugurated by Kira Kruglikova, Director of Administration and Focal Point for Disability Inclusion at UNOG, followed by interventions from the Permanent Missions to highlight the importance of sign language rights across the world . Come celebrate, connect, and discover The power of sign languages in making human rights a reality for all at UN GENEVA, ...

As the Australian Deaf community celebrate its National Week of Deaf People from 22 to 28 September to honour Deaf culture, language, and achievements; they partnered with several landmarks to shine in blue light. This is a global initiative showing solidarity with Deaf communities and reminds us that there are no human rights without sign language rights. Share your photos with us and join the movement for sign language rights everywhere!

ILLUMATIONS: Following the success of the first Shine a blue light on Sign Languages, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is continuing the Blue Light for Sign Languages this year, aiming to highlight the unity brought by the shared experience of national sign languages. This International Day of Sign Languages 2023 event aims to unite the world, its citizens, communities and societies through the blue light. We invite all public places, public landmarks and official buildings, Presidential houses, County buildings, City Halls, and others to be spotlighted in blue light on 23 September 2024. By highlighting the blue colour on their buildings and landmarks is a reaffirmation of our joint commitment to supporting national sign languages and showing solidarity with global deaf communities . Together, we can achieve human rights and a more equal society via the use of national sign languages in all areas of life. The WFD encourages its 135 Ordinary Members, national associations of d...

FORUM : “ Sign up for Sign Language Rights. ”. International Day of Sign Languages 2024 . According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages As we approach the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in December 2006, let us strive towards a better implementation of the CRPD at the national level through the linguistic human rights of deaf people. Sign up for sign language rights by working with your local and national associations to announce the achievement of a concrete goal for deaf communities today. Deaf communities, governments and civil society organisations continue their collective efforts - hand in hand - to foster, promote and recognize national sign languages as part of their countries’ vibrant and diverse linguistic landscapes. The Blue Light Challenge i...

The World Federation of the Deaf guiding mission is to strengthen and grow our global network of representative organisations of deaf people by: Strengthening the capacity of current National Associations of Deaf People Providing effective capacity building programmes for members, with a particular focus on the Global South Work with organisational members to promote intersectional work with diverse deaf communities Increase grant development and scope of implementation among our members Promote the participation of deaf youth in deaf organisations The 60 Country Project: Developing and Sustaining New National Organisations of Deaf People Ensure the participation of women, youth, and underrepresented communities in our work Aim to achieve equality and equal opportunities across all areas of life

  The WFD will continue to put deaf people on human rights and development agendas. The WFD is a credible source for all sign language and deaf rights data. - Develop deaf-led evidence-based advocacy tool. - Promote disaggregated data collection and monitoring on deaf people and sign languages. We continue to monitor and respond to emerging trends affecting deaf people WFD is visible and active in shaping policies and practices in emerging policy areas We will actively promote IWDP and IDSL as globally recognised celebrations.