International Week of the Deaf is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and was first launched in 1958. It is celebrated annually by the world’s Deaf Community on the last week of September to commemorate the same month the first World Congress of the WFD was held.
International Week of the Deaf is observed through various activities by Deaf Communities worldwide. It aims to promote human rights for deaf people, provide a platform for them to tell their stories and have their voices heard.
The first day of the International Week of the Deaf, Monday, 23 September 2019. This is an important day as it is International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) and its main theme is “Sign Language Rights for All!”
The dates and corresponding themes are as follows:
- Monday, 23 September Sign Language Rights for All!
- Tuesday, 24 September Sign Language Rights for All Children
- Wednesday, 25 September Sign Language Rights for Deaf Senior Citizens
- Thursday, 26 September Sign Language Rights for Deafblind people
- Friday, 27 September Sign Language Rights for Deaf Women
- Saturday, 28 September Sign Language Rights for Deaf LGBTIQA+
- Sunday, 29 September Sign Language Rights for Deaf Refugees
UN International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) website is https://www.un.org/en/events/signlanguagesday/
World Federation of the Deaf
The WFD promotes awareness of human rights and sign language by hosting a variety of events around the globe. We also encourage our members to host and attend community events.