International Week of Deaf People 2025: No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights
- Lynne W
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
In 2025, International Week of Deaf People will run from 22nd - 28th September. It is an annual event that shines a spotlight on the culture, language and achievements of deaf people around the world. International Week of Deaf People is organised by the World Federation of the Deaf.
The overall goals of the week are to:
raise awareness of the rights of deaf people;
promote sign language;
highlight the achievements of deaf people;
promote inclusion in education, employment and society.
None of these goals can be achieved without ensuring that deaf people have full and open access to sign language and that’s why this year’s theme is:
‘No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights’
Here at Conduit, we have put together some resources that will help you tackle this topic with learners.
How Is the Week Structured?
Throughout International Week of Deaf People, the World Federation of the Deaf hosts workshops, conferences, cultural performances and campaigns all with the goal of promoting equal opportunities.
Each day of the week has a different focus. These are:
Deaf Communities Leading
Deaf-led alliances are essential to advancing sign language rights, guided by the principle ‘nothing about us without us.’
No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights
People are entitled to human rights. For deaf individuals, sign language is essential for full access to these rights. While progress has been made towards equality, barriers still exist on the path to a world where deaf people can sign everywhere.
Multilingual Education for Deaf Learners
The World Federation of the Deaf wants to ensure that deaf learners receive education in appropriate environments, including quality inclusive multilingual settings with other deaf peers.
Deaf Rights in Crises
Deaf communities must be included in disaster planning through leadership and collaboration. This includes access to information in the event of emergency situations - including natural disasters and pandemics.
Recognition of National Sign Language
Legal recognition of national sign languages is essential to upholding the rights of deaf people. This enables their participation in all areas of society.
Sign Language Access Service
Deaf people have the right to choose their preferred language access service. To ensure meaningful and inclusive participation, event organisers should engage with deaf participants early and provide adequate funding for professional interpreters and related costs.
Set the Basis for the Future: Together We Can Innovate, Inspire and Impact!
By working together, we can shape a future where deaf people everywhere can sign freely, inspiring innovation and creating a world that reflects this vision.
How Can We Discuss These Themes with Learners?
Rights are at the heart of this year’s theme and that is a good place to start.
In July 2023, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) approved the Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children. The declaration contains ten articles outlining the essential rights of deaf children worldwide. This Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children PowerPoint contains a brief introduction to the concept of rights within the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child before outlining the rights specific to deaf children. It is perfect for introducing the topic to learners.
After introducing the rights, you could use these Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children Blether Stations to prompt discussion and afterwards, display these Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children Display Posters for future reference.
You could use these UNCRC: Individual Rights Posters to open up a discussion with learners about the extent to which lack of access to sign language prevents other rights being respected. For example, learners could discuss how lack of access to sign language infringes on the rights below:
Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.
Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information.
Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations.
Every child has the right to reliable information from a variety of sources.
Input from the Deaf Community
A recurring theme from International Week of Deaf People is ‘nothing about us without us.’ This stresses the importance of including deaf young people and adults in conversations that impact them. Deaf adults and young people are the only people who can share what it is like to face barriers caused by lack of access to sign language, whether this is in health, education, the workplace or socially.
You could contact a local deaf organisation or charity and see if they provide deaf awareness sessions. These organisations may be able to point you in the direction of providers of sign language lessons for your learners, which would bring us one step closer to the World Federation of the Deaf’s goal of:
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