International Day of Sign Languages 2025 – September 23 

The United Nations(UN’s) International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is observed every year across the world on 23 September to promote and safeguard the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of deaf people and all sign language users worldwide.

• IDSL 2025 is celebrated as part of the International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) 2025 from September 22 to 28, 2025.

Theme:

2025 Theme: No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights.

Focus: This year’s theme emphasizes the need for full participation and dignity for the deaf community.

Background:

Origin: The idea for the IDSL was proposed by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), which represents 135 national associations of deaf people.

Adoption: On 19 December 2017, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/72/161, officially designating 23 September of every year as the IDSL.

• The resolution was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN and co-sponsored by 97 UN Member States.

First Celebration: The first IDSL was observed on 23 September 2018, integrated into the International Week of the Deaf (IWDP).

• The IWDP was first celebrated in September 1958 to raise awareness about deaf rights and culture.

Significance of the Date: The date 23 September commemorates the founding of the WFD in 1951.

Symbol: The Blue Ribbon represents the Deaf community’s long-standing efforts for equality and recognition of national sign languages.

About Sign Language:

Definition: Sign language is a natural visual language, expressed through movements and separate from spoken languages.

Global Deaf Community: The WFD estimates over 70 million deaf people worldwide, with more than 80% residing in developing countries.

Diversity of Sign Languages: Across the globe, the Deaf community uses over 300 different sign languages.

UN Recognition: The UN recognizes sign languages as fully developed natural languages, structurally distinct from spoken languages.

First Formal Sign Language: In 1755, France, Abbé Charles-Michel de L’Épée created the first formal sign language and opened the first public school for the deaf, earning the title “Father of Sign Language and Deaf Education.”

2025 Events

Global Event: The WFD organised the ‘Global Leader Challenges 2025’ on 23 September 2025 as part of the International Day of Sign Languages.

Events in India: The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC),  an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) celebrated the Sign Language Day 2025 on 23 September at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, Delhi.

• The event was graced by Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, MSJE, as the Chief Guest. Union Minister of State(MoS) B. L. Verma, MSJE, attended as Guest of Honour, along with Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, and other senior MSJE officials.

Launch of Key Initiatives:

• The ISLRTC Bi-Annual Newsletter serves as a platform to share research, training, and community achievements.
• PGDISLI (Post Graduate Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation) and PGDTISL (Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching Indian Sign Language) are courses designed to train expert ISL teachers and interpreters.
• The Six-Month Online ISL Training Programme (SMOITP) provides nationwide access, bridging urban-rural gaps.
  Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) for DISLI and DTISL courses offers standardized and quality study resources.
  Development of 100 STEM Terms in ISL promotes better understanding of advanced science and technology subjects.
• The English Language Teaching Programme (ELTP) with TEACH enhances English proficiency and employability.
• A collection of 3,189 ISL e-Content Videos (ISL e-Videos) forms the largest digital repository of ISL learning resources.
• ISL integration with the Project Inclusion App (PIA) promotes inclusive education in mainstream classrooms.
• ISL versions of 18 NBT(National Book Trust) Books expand literature access for Deaf children and youth.

Competition Winners:The 8th National Indian Sign Language Competition 2025 winners, spanning 13 categories, were felicitated during the event.

About World Federation of the Deaf (WFD):
President- Joseph Murray
Headquarters – Helsinki, Finland
Established – 1951