International Week of Deaf People began on 21 September and runs through 27 September 2026.
The International Day of Sign Languages is observed during the week on 23 September.
The 2026 theme is “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights”.
It calls attention to the recognition, protection and realization of the human rights of Deaf people in all areas of life, including full access through national sign languages.
Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages. Different countries and communities use different national sign languages, so sign language communication should not be described as one universal language.
The year 2026 also marks the 75th anniversary of the World Federation of the Deaf and 20 years since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This article is based on official information from the United Nations.