WFD was invited by UNESCO to speak on the right to multilingual education for all deaf children during International Mother Language Day 2025. We emphasised that deaf children have the right to learn in a multilingual environment in national sign language. Too many deaf children face language deprivation—this must change!
Governments must recognise and include sign languages, deaf communities, and deaf children in language policies.
The closing remarks featured a powerful quote from the WFD.
The President of the World Federation of the Deaf has put this more simply during the conference. Saying that it’s vital for us to recognise and cherish all the languages of children, including, of course, the sign languages of each country’
George Wilson, Head of English and School Education, British Council
