World Deaf Day is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of September, this year(2020) it falls on September 27. The day aims to create awareness about the achievements of the deaf people and deaf people community, to the general public, politician and development authorities.
Note– World Deaf Day 2019 was observed on September 29, 2019.
Background
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) initiated the celebration of the World Day of the Deaf in 1958.
International Week of the Deaf
The International Week of the Deaf (IWD), an initiative of the WFD was first launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy. It is celebrated annually by the global Deaf Community during the last full week of September to commemorate the first World Congress of the WFD which was held in September. This year(2020), it falls on 21-27 September.
Theme of the 2020 International Week of the Deaf– “Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights”
World Deaf Day
Throughout the celebration, all the organizations for the deaf people around the world are greatly encouraged to meet the demands and needs of the deaf and also to increase their rights worldwide.
Key Facts about Deafness and Hearing Loss as per World Health Organisation(WHO)
- Over 5% of the population of the world or 466 million people has disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children).
- By 2050 over 900 million people or one in every 10 people will have disabling hearing loss.
- The current estimates indicate an 83% gap in the need and use of hearing aids, i.e., only 17% of those who can benefit from using hearing aids actually use one.
- 60% of childhood hearing loss is due to preventable causes.
What is Hearing Loss and Deafness?
A person who cannot hear as well as someone with normal hearing(hearing thresholds of 25 dB or better in both ears) is said to have hearing loss.
Deaf people mostly have profound hearing loss, i.e., they have very little or no hearing. They often use sign language for communication.
Deaf Organisation in India
The deaf organisations in India include, National Association of the Deaf-N.A.D(India), New Delhi, Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women and Madras foundation of Deaf women among others.
Other Days celebrated in Relation to Deafness
i.International Day of Sign Languages 2020: September 23
ii.World Hearing Day 2020: March 3
About World Federation of the Deaf (WFD:
Headquarters– Helsinki, Finland
President– Dr Joseph J. Murray, USA
