International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually on September 23. In 2026, this date falls on a Wednesday. This United Nations observance highlights the importance of sign languages in the full realization of the human rights of deaf people worldwide.

History of International Day of Sign Languages

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 23 as the International Day of Sign Languages in 2017 through resolution A/RES/72/161. The date was chosen to commemorate the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951. The resolution was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda and co-sponsored by 97 UN Member States, adopted by consensus on December 19, 2017.

The first International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf, which itself began in September 1958. The day recognizes that early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education, is vital to the growth and development of deaf individuals and critical to achieving internationally agreed development goals.

Why is International Day of Sign Languages important?

Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from spoken languages. There are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide, using more than 300 different sign languages. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes sign languages as equal in status to spoken languages and obligates states parties to facilitate learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the Deaf community.

The day emphasizes the principle of “nothing about us without us” in working with Deaf communities. It raises awareness about the rights and inclusion of deaf individuals and supports the preservation of sign languages as part of linguistic and cultural diversity.

• Sign language rights are fundamental for deaf people to fully enjoy their human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• More than 80% of deaf people live in developing countries, where access to sign language services is often limited.
• The day promotes multilingual education that includes national sign languages and deaf-led learning environments.
• Accessibility to public services and information depends on the availability of national sign language services and inclusive communication.
• The observance supports the Global Leaders Challenge, which invites leaders to sign a key message in their national sign language.

How to Observe International Day of Sign Languages

Learn basic phrases in your national sign language to communicate with deaf friends, family, or colleagues. Many organizations offer free online tutorials and resources. Sharing these skills on social media helps raise awareness and encourages others to join.

Attend or organize events such as sign language workshops, cultural performances by deaf artists, or community gatherings. Landmarks and public buildings can be lit in blue light to show solidarity with global Deaf communities, as part of the World Federation of the Deaf's "Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages" campaign.

• Take a sign language class online or in your community.
• Watch videos or films featuring deaf performers and sign language interpretation.
• Use social media to share facts about sign languages using the official hashtags.
• Support deaf-owned businesses and organizations that advocate for sign language rights.
• Encourage your workplace or school to provide sign language interpretation for events.

International Day of Sign Languages Dates