Mark your calendars: September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL), a global observance dedicated to raising awareness of sign languages, celebrating Deaf culture, and advocating for the rights of Deaf people worldwide.
How It Started
IDSL was first established by the United Nations General Assembly, with its first official celebration held in 2018. The date isn’t random. September 23 marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951, the organization that first proposed the day to honor Deaf unity and advocacy on a global scale. IDSL is also celebrated alongside the broader International Week of Deaf People, a tradition with roots going back to 1958.
What the Day Is About
At its core, IDSL exists to:
- Promote the linguistic diversity of sign languages and Deaf communities around the world
- Advocate for early access to sign language and sign-language education for Deaf children
- Celebrate Deaf culture and identity as an essential part of the human experience
- Push for full recognition of sign languages as equal to spoken languages under human rights law
Each year, WFD selects a theme to guide the global conversation, from early campaigns like “Sign Language Rights for All!” to more recent themes centered on inclusion and linguistic identity.
Where International Sign Fits In
While IDSL celebrates national sign languages first and foremost, International Sign plays a major supporting role in how the day gets marked on a global stage. From UN observances to international Deaf gatherings, IS is often the language that lets Deaf people from dozens of countries mark the occasion together, whether that’s through joint statements, shared events, or simply connecting with Deaf people across the world for the day.
How to Get Involved
You don’t have to be part of the Deaf community to take part. A few simple ways to mark IDSL:
- Learn a few basic signs in your local sign language
- Support Deaf-owned businesses and organizations
- Share educational content about Deaf culture and sign language rights on social media
- Advocate for captioning and interpretation access at events in your community