The International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on September 23rd to raise awareness about the importance of sign languages and advocate for the rights of deaf individuals and the deaf community worldwide.

This day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2018 as a means to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and to highlight the need for equal access to communication and education for deaf people.

Sign languages are complete and unique languages with their own grammar and vocabulary, used by many deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals as their primary means of communication. The International Day of Sign Languages serves as a platform to celebrate the richness and diversity of sign languages across the globe.

DID YOU KNOW: There are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide, according to the World Federation of the Deaf?

How to Recognize the International Day of Sign Languages in the Workplace

• Interpreter: Hire an ASL interpreter for your company’s events or meetings.

• Closed captions: When you send employees video resources and during Zoom meetings, don’t forget to include closed captioning.

• Proper communication: Ensure you are speaking directly to the person and that only one person is talking at once. Also, include notes post-meeting for employees to review post-meeting.

Communications Template for International Day of Sign Languages

[Subject: International Day of Sign Languages]

Hi all,

Today September 23, is recognized as the International Day of Sign Languages.

Did you know that around the world, there are more than 300 different sign languages?

We encourage you to watch this video Using ASL in the Workplace, a great starting point to help you communicate in a work setting with your colleagues.

Thank you for growing with us and helping us create an equitable and inclusive workplace at [Company Name].

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