September 23, 2024: International Day of Sign Languages.

This celebration arises from a UN General Assembly Resolution in 2017, which recognizes 23rd September as the “International Day of Sign Languages”.

As per the UN, the resolution establishing the day acknowledges that early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals. It recognizes the importance of preserving sign languages as part of linguistic and cultural diversity.

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 700 lakh deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. UN defines Sign languages as fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages.

Indian Sign Language (ISL) is a natural visual-manual language native to the Deaf community of India and used by both Deaf and Hearing community.

The day was first celebrated in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf. Since then, every year it is celebrated all over the world. In India, we call it Sign Language Day.

During the 2024 celebration, the world will once again highlight the unity generated by sign languages. World leaders and other government officials are invited to sign this year’s theme “Sign up for Sign Language Rights” in their national sign language.

“Sign language is the bridge that connects the Deaf community with the hearing world.”