International Day of Sign Languages
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam
About
International Day of Sign Languages is observed on September 23, celebrating the rich diversity of sign languages and the vital role they play in communication, identity, and inclusion. The day highlights the importance of recognizing sign languages as fully developed languages and honoring the Deaf community’s culture, history, and contributions.
It is also an opportunity to promote equal access to education, information, public services, and everyday conversations for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. By learning more about sign languages, supporting inclusive communication, and helping remove barriers, everyone can contribute to a world where people of all backgrounds can connect and participate fully.
History
The **International Day of Sign Languages** is observed annually on **September 23**. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the observance in December 2017 through Resolution 72/161, recognizing the proposal of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). The date commemorates the organization’s founding in 1951 and honors its long-standing work to advance the rights, inclusion, and full participation of deaf people worldwide. The first official observance took place in 2018.
The observance developed from the broader international movement for recognition of sign languages as complete, natural languages rather than as informal systems or substitutes for spoken language. Sign languages possess their own grammars, structures, histories, and regional variations. By establishing September 23 as an annual United Nations observance, the international community gave greater visibility to the linguistic and cultural identity of deaf communities and emphasized that access to communication is closely connected to education, employment, public services, and civic participation.
Its significance was reinforced by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognizes the importance of sign languages and requires states to respect linguistic identity and provide accessible communication. The day calls attention to the continuing need for qualified interpreters, accessible information, inclusive schooling, captioning and technology, and legal recognition of national sign languages. It also challenges the misconception that there is one universal sign language; in reality, sign languages differ among countries and communities, just as spoken languages do.
On **September 23**, governments, deaf-led organizations, educators, interpreters, and community groups use the observance to celebrate sign-language cultures and promote equal rights. Its evolution reflects a shift from viewing deafness primarily through a medical lens toward recognizing deaf people as members of linguistic and cultural communities. The day therefore serves both as a celebration of diversity and as a reminder that meaningful inclusion depends on respecting sign languages in law, education, media, and everyday public life.