Beyond Words, Into Connection: Honoring the International Day of Sign Languages
Every year on September 23, the world comes together to mark the International Day of Sign Languages. For Deaf persons, those who are hard of hearing, and sign language users, this day is more than a commemoration; it is a reminder that language is a fundamental aspect of identity, culture, dignity, and belonging.
Sign languages are not “alternatives” to spoken language. They are full and rich languages with their own grammar, culture, and histories. They are living testaments to resilience, creativity, and community. Yet in many parts of the world, Deaf persons and hard-of-hearing persons still face exclusion, lack of access to education, limited interpretation services, and barriers to essential information.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) makes it clear: accessibility is not charity, it is a right. Article 21 affirms that States must recognize and promote the use of sign languages so that everyone can express themselves freely and participate fully in public life. Article 30 acknowledges the linguistic identity of the Deaf community, underscoring that sign languages are an integral part of our shared cultural heritage.
At the Diverse Empowerment Foundation, we recognize that genuine inclusion is only possible when communication is accessible and inclusive. This means asking ourselves hard but necessary questions:
- Do our organizations provide information in sign language?
- Are interpreters present at events, meetings, and public discussions?
- Are Deaf persons in leadership positions, not as tokens but as equals?
This year, as we honor the International Day of Sign Languages, we are also making a call. It is time to speak, to teach, to learn, to unlearn, and to relearn what true inclusion means. We are strategically located in this moment not only to remind the world of these rights, but to amplify the voices that have too often been ignored.
To our Deaf siblings and sign language users: we see you, we honor you, and we celebrate you. Your language is not just hands in motion. It is identity, it is love, it is resistance, and it is power.
Let today remind us that proper communication is not only about words, it is about connection. Let us work together for a world where every person can sign, speak, and be understood.
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