International Week of the Deaf 2023: September 18 to 24

International Week of the Deaf

Every year, the full week ending on the last Sunday of September is observed as the International Week of the Deaf (IWD). In 2023, IWD is being observed from September 18 to 24. The last Sunday of the month of September is celebrated as the World Day of Deaf or International Day of the Deaf. (September 24, 2023).

Objective of International Week of the Deaf (IWD)

IWDP aims to call for unity from the rest of the world through consistent, coordinated, and widespread mobilisation to ensure that the campaigns are visible
through sufficient media coverage.

The theme of 2023 IWD:

• September 18: Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children
• September 19: building capacities in deaf communities across the globe
• September 20: Realizing “Nothing without Us”
• September 21: Putting Deaf People on the Agenda
• September 22: Achieving Sign Language Rights for All
• September 23: A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere! (International Day of Sign Languages)
• September 24: Building Inclusive Deaf Communities

History of International Week of the Deaf

The International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) is an initiative that was first launched by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958 in Rome, Italy. The IWD is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).  It is celebrated annually by the global Deaf Community on the last week of September to commemorate the same month (23 September 1951), the first World Congress of the WFD was held. Each year the WFD promotes awareness of human rights and sign language of the respective Deaf Communities worldwide by hosting a variety of events around the globe.

About World Federation of the Deaf (WFD):

WFD is an international non-governmental organization representing Deaf people worldwide. It is a federation of deaf organisations from 135 nations.

• President: Dr Joseph J. Murray;
• Headquarters:  Helsinki, Finland;
• Founded: 23 September 1951.

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