PURPOSE: The choice of 23 September commemorates the date that the World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951. This day marks the birth of an advocacy organisation, which has as one of its main goals, the preservation of sign languages and deaf culture as pre-requisites to the realisation of the human rights of deaf people. Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages. There is also an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. It is considered a pidgin form of sign language that is not as complex as natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon. The International Day of Sign Languages is an unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
FORUM:“A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere”. International Day of Sign Languages 2023. On this edition, the world will highlight the unity generated by our over 200 different national sign languages. Deaf communities, governments and civil society organisations continue their collective efforts - hand in hand - to foster, promote and recognise national sign languages as part of their countries’ vibrant and diverse linguistic landscapes. The Blue Light Challenge is an unique opportunity for national governments to partner with their national associations of deaf people in achieving the human rights of their deaf communities. Join us in Shining a Blue Light on Sign Languages!; Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalDayofSignLanguages, #2'3september, #SignLanguages, #IDSL,#IDWP and #BlueLight.
EVENTS: Following the success of the first Shine a blue light on Sign Languages in 2022, 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 2023. 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 deaf people, as well its international partners and all other relevant stakeholders, to reach out to their governments officials and invite them to contribute to this Blue Light For Sign Languages Event by lighting buildings with the Blue Light.
WEBINARS: On Saturday 23 September, 2023; you are invited to Participate to the online panel discussions entitled “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere.”. The sub-themes “Declaration on the right of the deaf children.”; “ Building capacity across the world.”; “Realising "Nothing Without Us."; ”Putting Deaf People on the Agenda.”;”Achieving Sign Language Rights for All.”; “Building Inclusive Deaf Communities.’’ will be developed during the celebration of the International Week of the Deaf people 2023 from 18 to 24 September.
STATEMENT: “Today, we share the WFD’s vision of a world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere. A world where deaf people are seen as a part of the natural range of human diversity, and national sign languages are celebrated and used everywhere as part of national societies. The WFD calls upon all governments to take measures to ensure at least 50% of their children and youth know their national sign languages, as a step towards building societies in which deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere.” Watch the statement of the World Federation of Deaf People on International Day of Sign Languages 2023; September 23rd.
PODCASTS: 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. Listen to the audio-Podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: The colour blue has been used by the WFD since its founding in 1951, and the Blue Ribbon has been used as a symbol of deaf communities' work over the centuries for equality in society and recognition of their national sign languages. “Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages!’ and Foster, promote and recognize national sign languages as part of a vibrant and diverse linguistic landscape.
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TOE GET INVOLVED?
The International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on September 23rd to Advance human rights and sign languages worldwide. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages. It makes clear that sign languages are equal in status to spoken languages and obligates states parties to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community.
In the hearing loss community, sign language is one of the major forms of communication used. It consists of hand movements, hand shapes as well as facial expressions and lip patterns in order to demonstrate what people want to say. Sign language is often used instead of spoken language in Deaf communities, as some people with hearing loss have been brought up solely using sign language to communicate with family or friends. Of course, even those with normal or limited hearing can also learn this wonderful, expressive language!
PARTNERSHIPS
Many cities have deaf clubs or groups of deaf people who meet regularly and quite often use sign language as their form of communication.
Join a sign language group, deaf club or visit a deaf café
Take an online course or Hire a private, qualified sign language tutor, If you want to learn sign language quickly.
Ask your Deaf friends and family teach you and Practice signing with different people.
Represent deaf people’s interests on a global scale.
Improve the lives of millions of deaf people who face inequality everyday.
Ensure information and projects are accessible to the deaf community.
Promote access to sign language materials
Collaborate with deaf leaders and policymakers to implement human rights mechanisms such as the CRPD and 2030 Agenda.
Ensure equal rights for 70 million deaf people around the globe.
The International Day of Sign Languages is hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); the United Nations enable; the Office of the High Commissioner forHuman Rights (OHCHR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Federation of the Deaf.
With the collaboration of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI), the China Association of the Deaf, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD-ASD), the SignNEXUS Inc., the Russian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (RASLI), the Japanese ASL Signers Society (JASS), the Japanese Association of Sign Language Interpreters (JASLI), The Australian Sign Language Interpreters' Association (ASLIA), Deaf Australia and the Sign Language Interpreters Association of New Zealand (SLIANZ Inc),
With the participation ofthe Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governement organizations, Academics,community centers; Community colleges ; Educational centers and Individuals.