The first ever United Nations(UN’s) International Day of Deafblindness was observed on June 27,2025 to promote global awareness about deafblindness, a distinct disability that involves a combined loss of vision and hearing, which creates unique challenges in communication, mobility, and access to information.
- The main objective of this day is to raise global awareness about deafblindness as a distinct disability and to advocate for the rights, inclusion, and accessibility of persons with deafblindness.
- The day takes place within Deafblind Awareness Week (June 23–29, 2025), a worldwide campaign that highlights both the challenges faced and the accomplishments of the deafblind community.
Deafblind International Awareness Week 2025:
Deafblind International Awareness Week 2025, observed in the last week of June is to increase understanding of deafblindness and promote the inclusion, independence, and leadership of individuals with deafblindness.
- It aims to highlight their contributions, rights, and needs, while encouraging governments, organisations, and communities to create accessible environments.
Theme:
i.Deafblind International Awareness Week 2025 (June 23–29) is themed “Cultivating Leadership: Together, We Grow.”
ii.This theme highlights the evolving leadership journey of deafblind individuals—from youth to older adulthood—and underscores the importance of ongoing support and empowerment across all stages of life
Background:
i.The Awareness Week began in 1984, proclaimed by former United States of America(USA) President Ronald Reagan. The observance of this day traces back to the adoption of the “Declaration on the Rights of Deaf-Blind Persons” in 1989 in Sweden.
ii.Since then, the deafblind community and supporting organisations have commemorated 27th June to highlight the rights and visibility of persons with deafblindness.
iii.After years of global advocacy, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/79/294 on 16 June 2025, officially designating 27 June as the International Day of Deafblindness, in honour of the 145th birth anniversary of Helen Keller.
- The resolution was presented by Hrvoje Ćurić Hrvatinić, Deputy Permanent Representative and Acting Chargé d’Affaires of Croatia to the United Nations.
iv.This milestone was achieved through efforts led by Oslo, Norway based the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), with support from countries including Croatia, Malta, Germany, Finland, Poland, Italy, and Jordan.
Why June 27?
The date of 27 of June has been chosen to commemorate the birth of Helen Keller, who was born on 27th June 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States of America (USA).
About Helen Keller:
i.Helen Keller became the first deafblind person to earn a university degree and is recognised globally for her contributions to disability rights and advocacy.
ii.She authored 14 books, including her autobiography ‘The Story of My Life’, and became a leading advocate for people with disabilities, women’s suffrage, labor rights, and world peace.
iii.Helen Keller passed away on June 1, 1968, in Westport, Connecticut, the USA.
About World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB):
WFDB is the global representative organisation that advocates for the rights and inclusion of persons with deafblindness, a unique disability involving combined vision and hearing loss.
President – Sanja Tarczay
Headquarters – Oslo, Norway
Established – 2001
