Friday 22nd September 2023:
The theme for day 5 of International Week of Deaf People is titled, Achieving Sign Language Rights for All. In order to guarantee basic human rights for all deaf people, we must achieve legal recognition of national sign languages.
In order for deaf people to participate fully in their communities and achieve the fulfilment of human rights, sign language is a crucial prerequisite. Moreover, to allow deaf people’s participation in society they need to provide and fund professional sign language interpreters as well as training. Unfortunately, 60% of State Parties to the CRPD still have not achieved legal recognition of their national sign languages. The CRPD hopes to reduce this percentage through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which has set its focus on leaving no one behind.
To try and ensure that deaf people can fulfil their human rights, deaf children must have access to an enriched curriculum which maximises their development. Indeed, deaf children should not be denied access to quality education. The child deserves to be able to choose their educational setting and this should not be discriminated against or denied. The World Federation of the Deaf has specified within their Position Paper on Inclusive Education that education to deaf children is best achieved through bilingual education in the national sign languages and national written language(s). Ultimately, through government legislation and fulfilment of required standards, deaf children will be able to develop at a similar rate to their hearing peers.
Achieving Sign Language Rights for All can be fulfilled through setting measures that governments can satisfy. At the World Federation of the Deaf, they have proposed that they want to see at least 50% of their children and youth know their national sign languages. This accomplishment will be a steppingstone towards building societies in which deaf people can sign anywhere and everywhere.
