International Day of Sign Languages

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.

The WFD continues to be the leading global authority for deaf people and sign languages. - The WFD has a robust presence at the UN and other important international forums Proactively promote the WFDs interpretation and analysis of human rights treaties as they pertain to deaf people Participate, with national and international partners, in UN Human Rights  Monitoring processes and post-review monitoring and implementation - Increase the number of deaf people on UN Treaty Bodies - Collaborating on tools and resources for national advocacy Ensuring the centering of deaf people in policies and practice Promoting best practices in economic, social and cultural and health policies for deaf people Ensuring deaf people are not left behind in humanitarian actions Addressing the impact of climate change and natural disasters on deaf communities

Sign languages are fundamental to the achievement of deaf people's human rights Promoting the legal recognition of national sign languages through training and advocacy at the national and international levels Advising policy and legislative makers on sign language Increasing the number of countries with sign language recognition Achieving National Sign Languages for All: By 2033, 25% of national populations can sign in their national sign languages Full recognition of deaf people/sign languages as a part of human diversity Implementing and achieving CRPD Articles 21 and 30 around the world Advocating for early childhood language acquisition and inclusive multilingual education policies WFD Views on Inclusive Education are Understood and Implemented by Governments Empowering Ordinary Members to actively participate in monitoring efforts.

  To carry out the Mission, we need a strong and sustainable organisation Build a Diverse Global Secretariat Strong, growing, and sustainable organisational structure and financial management Strengthen and utilise WFD sections and Regional Secretariats to promote our work Increase and strengthen partnerships and alliances at all levels Increase visibility of the WFD work in all levels and areas of work