International Sign Languages Day is observed on September 23 as an opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
Without Sign Language Rights, There Are No Human Rights
All people have an inherent right to human rights from birth. For deaf people, the right to sign language is fundamental to the full enjoyment of their human rights, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
As we commemorate this day, it is important to recognize the progress made and the challenges that still lie ahead in ensuring equality for all people. These achievements bring us closer to the goal of a world where all deaf people can communicate through sign language anywhere.
Actions to Ensure the Rights of Deaf People Are Upheld
The mission of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is to work toward the full realization of linguistic and human rights in all areas of life, with the full recognition and implementation of these rights at the local, national, and international levels.
The WFD engages in concrete actions aimed at ensuring the rights of deaf people are upheld. Some of these include:
- Capacity Building Worldwide
Its primary mission is to strengthen and expand its global network of organizations representing deaf people through actions such as:
- Strengthening the capacity of existing national associations of deaf people.
- Working with member organizations to promote intersectional work with diverse communities of deaf people.
- Promoting the participation of deaf youth in organizations of deaf people.
- Ensuring the participation of women, youth, and underrepresented communities.
- Including Deaf People on the Agenda
The FMS will continue to include Deaf people on the human rights and development agendas.
- The FMS is a reliable source of data on all sign languages and the rights of Deaf people.
- Develop evidence-based advocacy tools led by deaf people.
- Promote the collection and monitoring of disaggregated data on deaf people and sign languages.
- Monitor and respond to emerging trends affecting deaf people.
- Promote the message that “Nothing Without Us”
The WFD remains the world’s leading authority on deaf people and sign languages.
- The WFD has a strong presence at the UN and in other major international forums.
- Proactively promote the WFD’s interpretation and analysis of human rights treaties as they pertain to deaf people.
- Ensure that deaf people are at the center of policies and practices.
- Promote best practices in economic, social, cultural, and health policies for deaf people.
- Ensure that deaf people are not left behind in humanitarian efforts.
- Address the impact of climate change and natural disasters on deaf communities.
- Ensuring Sign Language Rights for All
National sign languages are essential to the fulfillment of the human rights of deaf people.
- Promote the legal recognition of national sign languages through training at the national and international levels.
- Advise policymakers and legislators on sign language.
- Increase the number of countries that recognize sign language.
- Full recognition of deaf people and sign languages as part of human diversity.
- Implement and enforce Articles 21 and 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) worldwide.
- Advocate for early childhood language acquisition and for inclusive multilingual education policies.
By: Juan Carlos Ugarelli.
