Celebrating International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of Deaf People 2024

September is a truly exciting time for the global Deaf community! We have International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) on September 23, which kicks off International Week of Deaf People (IWDP), culminating in the International Day of the Deaf on Sunday, September 29.

This week-long celebration is all about raising awareness, celebrating the rich culture of Deaf people, and promoting the rights of Deaf individuals everywhere.

The Importance of International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) – September 23

The IDSL is all about celebrating the rich diversity of sign languages and advocating for the linguistic rights of Deaf people around the world. The theme this year is “Sign Up for Sign Language Rights”—a powerful call for better recognition and implementation of linguistic human rights for Deaf people.

Why is this so important? According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million Deaf people worldwide, and they use more than 300 different sign languages. These languages are not just tools for communication; they are integral to Deaf identity and culture.

To highlight this diversity and the significance of sign languages, we’ve prepared a special video. In this video, I will sign in Spanish Sign Language (LSE), and Lorraine will sign in British Sign Language (BSL).

By watching, you can see firsthand the beauty and uniqueness of different sign languages. This visual comparison underscores the importance of preserving and promoting all sign languages as part of Deaf culture and linguistic rights.

Take a moment to learn a few signs from different languages and appreciate the rich tapestry of sign languages around the world:

How to Celebrate International Week of Deaf People

There are many different ways to celebrate the International Week of Deaf People. We will give you some ideas:

• You might want to support (volunteer or fundraise) a charity that promotes Deaf people within your local community.

• You can learn basic sign language and increase awareness of Deaf culture⁠ to develop an understanding of deafness⁠. It has a positive impact on Deaf people.

  
  

• You can support inclusivity and equality by downloading and sharing our free resources with your family, friends, your children... Take a look to our Deaf Awareness Free Resources Page HERE.

• You may want to get involved within the deaf people, join and learn from their wonderful community.

As we celebrate this week, we’re not just marking dates on a calendar. We're supporting language rights, inclusivity, and showing the world that Deaf culture is something to be embraced and supported.

Let’s dive into the daily themes and how you can take part:

Monday, 23 September 2024 – International Day of Sign Languages: “Sign Up for Sign Language Rights”

The theme for this day is focused on advocating for and enhancing the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the national level. The CRPD is an international treaty that ensures the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, including Deaf individuals. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the CRPD in 2026, this day is dedicated to pushing for better recognition and implementation of linguistic human rights for Deaf people.

✨How to take part: 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. 

Tuesday, 24 September 2024 – "Inclusive Education"

This day focuses on multilingual, inclusive education. Quality education is a human right, and Deaf students should have access to it in their national sign language. We want to highlight the need for schools to offer sign language support for Deaf students.

✨How to take part: Spread the word about inclusive education and show your support by signing the Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children now. Every action counts when it comes to making education accessible for all!

Sign the Declaration HERE.

Wednesday, 25 September 2024 – "Sign Language Advocacy"

Time to get vocal (or visual!) about sign language rights. Did you know that not all countries officially recognise sign language? Advocating for sign language recognition is essential in ensuring Deaf people can access services, education, and jobs in their own language.

✨How to take part: Use your platform to promote sign language awareness today! Whether it’s through Instagram stories, posts, or conversations with friends, let’s advocate for the recognition and promotion of national sign languages.

Thursday, 26 September 2024 – "Building Resilient Deaf Communities"

Deaf communities are strong, but they also face unique challenges in emergencies. This day is all about emergency preparedness—ensuring that Deaf people are included in disaster plans and have access to information in sign language.

✨How to take part: Today, we’ll focus on practical tips for making emergency communications accessible to Deaf communities. Learn how to support Deaf individuals in times of crisis, and encourage local authorities to be inclusive!

Friday, 27 September 2024 – "Diversity in Deaf Communities"

The Deaf community is beautifully diverse, with members who also identify with other groups, from race and gender to sexual orientation and more. Today is about embracing and celebrating these intersectional identities.

✨How to take part: Celebrate the richness of the Deaf community by sharing stories, art, and personal experiences. Let’s highlight the unique perspectives of individuals who are Deaf and proud of their multifaceted identities!

Saturday, 28 September 2024 – "Deaf Cultural Celebrations"

It’s time to party! Deaf Culture involves the behaviours, traditions, beliefs, values, history, humour, art that exists within Deaf communities. Deaf communities have so much to offer, from artistic performances to storytelling.

✨How to take part: Attend or host an event that showcases Deaf culture. This could be an online gathering, a performance by a Deaf artist, or simply sharing a piece of Deaf history or art on social media.

In the spirit of celebrating Deaf culture, we are thrilled to highlight the Disabled Poets Prize 2025. This award not only honours the incredible talent within the Deaf community but also brings attention to the vibrant and diverse expressions of Deaf poets.

Explore the achievements of this year’s winners and see how their work enriches our cultural landscape. Discover more about the prize and celebrate the art of Deaf poets by visiting our post here: Disabled Poets Prize 2025 Entries

Sunday, 29 September 2024 – "Investing in the Future of Deaf Communities"

As the week comes to a close, this day focuses on the future—specifically, how we can invest in Deaf children. Ensuring they grow up in language-rich environments with access to sign language from an early age is key to building strong, confident Deaf individuals.

👉 Read more about language deprivation and the importance of early access to sign language: Language Deprivation Causes Language Delays.

✨How to take part: Share your vision for the future of Deaf communities on social media. Let’s highlight how we can all contribute to creating an inclusive, sign-language-rich environment for the next generation.

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As we kick off this exciting week, we invite you to join us in celebrating the richness and diversity of Deaf communities around the world. International Week of the Deaf is a time to explore, learn, and advocate for the rights and recognition of Deaf individuals.

Stay engaged throughout the week as we delve into each day’s theme, and let’s work together to make a positive impact. Here’s to a week of meaningful conversations and celebrations!