The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) will honor the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September under the 2026 theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
The observance highlights sign language as a fundamental means of communication and a key pathway to equal participation, education, access to information, and social inclusion for Deaf people.
Speaking ahead of the observance, Yohannes Teklay, Project Coordinator of the Empowerment and Mainstreaming of Persons with Disabilities in Higher Education in Ethiopia (EMPOWER) Project at ECDD and President of the Ethiopian National Association of the Deaf (ENAD), said:
“Recognizing sign language as a human right means creating an environment where Deaf people can communicate, learn, lead, and participate equally. Inclusion becomes meaningful when Deaf people are not only included in decisions, but are empowered to shape them.”
ECDD emphasizes that advancing sign language access requires more than awareness. It calls for accessible education and information, Deaf leadership and participation, and stronger institutional commitment to removing communication barriers.
The 2026 observance forms part of the 69th International Week of Deaf People globally and the 34th celebration in Ethiopia, providing an opportunity to celebrate Deaf people’s language, culture, identity, achievements, and contributions while renewing commitments to equality and inclusion.
Deaf people’s rights are human rights and nothing about Deaf people should be decided without Deaf people.
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