International Week of Deaf People 2025
Theme for 2025:
No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights
22 to 28 September 2025
Each year, Deaf communities around the world come together to celebrate the International Week of Deaf People. It is a time when we can all unite, regardless of our differences, to raise awareness about human rights, particularly for people with disabilities, victims of environmental disasters, and other daily issues that affect our lives. This year, we invite you to be part of this global movement, where unity and inclusivity are at the heart of our mission.
Global Issue: No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights
The critical key points are:- no discrimination
- Dignity
- Justice
- Tolerance
- Freedom
- Empowerment
- Solidarity
- Equality
As of the current date, eighty-one countries have achieved Sign Language Legislation. However, the number of countries that recognise their national sign language is only 41.5% (81 out of 195), leaving a significant 58.5% (114 out of 195) that do not. This stark global disparity is a clear call to action, reminding us of the urgent need for immediate and concerted global efforts to ensure sign language rights for all. We cannot afford to wait. New Zealand recognised New Zealand Sign Language in 2006 when our Government passed the New Zealand Sign Language Act, making it the third official language. Note that in New Zealand, there are two other languages: Te Reo Māori, an official language, and English, which has no official recognition but is a de facto official language due to its widespread use.
Let us take a moment to consider the war-torn countries where many D/deaf people, families of the D/deaf children and D/deaf children with disabilities, seniors with poor mobility and Hard of Hearing are struggling to survive. They face numerous challenges, from the lack of security and safety from bombing to the risk of violence and even rape. The situation is dire, as seen in Palestine and Israel, and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. These communities are in desperate need of our support and understanding. Let us stand with them in solidarity, acknowledging their struggles and offering our empathy.
Global climate change is causing bushfires, heatwaves, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, landslides, and many other disasters that come without warning or any sound warning for many D/deaf communities to know. Despite these challenges, D/deaf communities have shown remarkable resilience. Pacific Islands are threatened by global climate change at a faster rate than any other region, and MPs are struggling financially to improve high banks, strengthen housing at higher levels above the ground, and address other critical needs.
New technologies are evolving rapidly, making it possible to replace humans with robots or AI technology shortly. Jean is trying to explain to several D/deaf people and D/deaf with disabilities that the future of sign language technology faces many challenges, including the potential erosion of linguistic rights. Balancing inclusivity with this potential erosion and the need for robust, accessible solutions is a complex task. For example, Someone may use AI to replace sign language interpreters or use it in conjunction with them, and many D/deaf people may not understand what AI is, know how to discern if AI is fake or real, and may not use the correct mother language in sign language. New technologies may not work perfectly unless the data system, format, gestures, facial expression, and graphics/photos are accessible to Deaf and neurodiverse individuals. For example, AI is not capable of recognising or rendering the critical nuances of human language, nor can it make the cultural adjustments necessary to convey meaning effectively. It struggles with even some of the most basic, standard parts of our language, like accents, dialects, slang, and idioms. 23 Jun 2025 https://www.atanet.org/advocacy-outreach/think-ai-should-replace-interpreters-think-again/#:~:text=AI%20is%20not%20capable%20of,dialects%2C%20slang%2C%20and%20idioms.
https://efsli.org/efslis-stance-on-ai-and-sign-language-interpreting-our-vision-for-the-future
Another example happened here in New Zealand.
Auckland Transport recently installed new and updated technology for parking in the car park building. The new automatic number plate recognition technology, used for parking enforcement, does not recognise mobility permits. However, many people with disabilities who held a mobility display card received a fine instead of free parking through an electronically recognised system.
The world is ableist to everyone who lives there and here. Jean means everyone, including D/deaf people and D/deaf with disabilities. We must address ableism by removing some of its barriers to make the community more inclusive. The abilities are a shared responsibility that can be achieved without incurring financial strain by teaching others to understand our needs, making life easier, and allowing us to work in the same building and participate in various community activities.
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/12-04-2023-safeguarding-the-rights-of-deaf-people-in-ukraine
Stay Tuned: Jean will delve into the importance of each day’s topic to help us learn.
