International Week of Deaf 2021 Day 1: Cherishing Deaf History
20 September to 26 September will be celebrated as International Week of the Deaf (IWD). Watch our latest video to learn all about it!
The International Week of the Deaf (IWD) was started by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). It was first launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy. It is celebrated every year by Deaf people all over the world during the last week of september. This year it will be celebrated from 20 september - 26 september. This year’s theme for the International Week of Deaf People is “Celebrating Thriving Deaf Communities”. This week, we come together to recognise that deaf people have our own communities, our own cultures, our own languages, sign languages, which unite us all. Deaf communities have been expanding and thriving throughout the years and giving us all strength, now is the time to celebrate this. This is an important week for the deaf people. The WFD has created a special theme for every day of this week to create awareness and empower the Deaf Community. The theme for 20 september is ‘Cherishing Deaf History’. Deaf communities and our sign languages have existed for hundreds of years.
Today, we take the time to cherish the proud histories of deaf peoples and our thriving communities, and the many people, deaf, codas, allies, who have worked together to enable the flourishing communities found today around the world. Share this video with your friends & family to create awareness about IWD. Tell them about the importance ISL and how Deaf associations & leaders are advocating for it to become an official language. Let’s be proud of our history, our Deaf community & creating awareness!
