The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is annually observed across the globe on the 23rd of September to support and protect the linguistic and cultural identity of deaf people and others who use sign language.
- 23rd September 2022, marks the observance of the 5th IDSL.
- The Day is celebrated as part of the International Week of the Deaf People 2022 (19-25 September).
The theme of the International Day of Sign Languages 2022 is Sign Language Unite Us.
Background:
i.The IDSL was proposed by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), a federation of 135 national associations of deaf people.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/72/161 on 19th December 2017 and proclaimed the 23rd of September of every year as the International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL)
- The first-ever International Day of Sign Languages was observed across the globe on 23rd September 2018.
Why September 23?
The date 23rd September was chosen to remember the day on which the WFD was established in Rome, Italy, in 1951(23 September).
About Sign Language:
i.Sign language is a non-verbal language that helps Deaf people to connect with their social environment.
ii.According to the WFD, there are over 70 million deaf people worldwide and 300 different sign languages are used by them.
iii. The 1st Sign Language school for deaf children was founded in Paris, France by Abbé de l’Épée in 1755.
International Week of the Deaf People (IWDP) 2022-19 to 25 September:
The International Week of the Deaf People (IWDP) is annually observed across the world in the last full concluding on the final Sunday week in September.
The WFD initiated the International Week of the Deaf and 1st launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy.
The theme of the IWDP 2022 is Building Inclusive Communities for All.
The IWDP 2022 is observed from 19th September to 25th September.
- The IWDP 2021 was observed from 20th September to 26th September 2021.
- The IWDP 2023 will be observed from 17th September to 24th September 2023.
Daily themes:
| Date | Theme |
|---|---|
| 19 September | Sign Languages in Education |
| 20 September | Sustainable economic opportunities for deaf people |
| 21 September | Health for All |
| 22 September | Safeguarding deaf people in times of crisis |
| 23 September | Sign Languages Unite Us! |
| 24 September | Intersectional Deaf Communities |
| 25 September | Deaf Leadership for Tomorrow |
About the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD):
President- Joseph Murray
Headquarters- Helsinki, Finland
Establishment- 23 September 1951
