International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) is annually observed across the globe on the last full week of September (Monday through Sunday) to create awareness about the rights of people who are deaf or hard of hearing/hearing impaired.
IWDP 2024 was observed from 23rd to 29th September 2024.
- IWDP 2023 was observed from 18th to 23rd September 2023 and IWDP 2025 will be observed from 22nd to 28th September 2025.
International Day of the Deaf is annually observed across the world on the last Sunday of September.
- International Day of the Deaf 2024 was observed on 29th September 2024.
Theme:
The theme of IWDP 2024 is “Sign up for Sign Language Rights”.
Daily themes:
- 23 September 2024 – International Day of Sign Languages: Sign Up for Sign Language Rights
- 24 September 2024: Inclusive Education
- 25 September 2024: Sign Language Advocacy
- 26 September 2024: Building Resilient Deaf Communities
- 27 September 2024: Diversity in Deaf Communities
- 28 September 2024: Deaf Cultural Celebrations
- 29 September 2024: Investing in the future of deaf communities
Background:
i.International Week of Deaf People is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an international non-governmental organisation that advocates the rights of deaf people.
ii.The IWDP was first launched in 1958 in Rome Italy.
iii.The week is annually observed in September to commemorate the month in which the first World Congress of WFD was held in Rome Italy in 1951.
Significance:
i.The day offers a platform to recognise the linguistic and cultural diversity of deaf people.
ii.The day also emphasises the importance of inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of life.
Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children:
i.The Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children contains 10 articles proclaiming the rights of all deaf children across the globe.
- The declaration was approved by the WFD’s XXI General Assembly held in 2023 in Jeju Island, South Korea.
ii.The declaration states that All deaf children, like all humans, are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
iii.It also highlights that Deaf children have the right and the capacity to be educated, to graduate high school, to obtain further education, and to pursue a career.
Method of communication of deaf people:
i.Communication for deaf people occurs through visual, auditory, or tactile modes.
ii.The common visual communication modes include Sign Language, cued speech, speech reading (lip reading), and gestures.
About the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD):
President– Joseph J. Murray
Headquarters– Helsinki, Finland
Established– 1951
