Deafness

Sign Language Rights Are Human Rights

Deafness is not about hearing

It is about language, access, and human rights.

Millions of deaf people are excluded not because they are deaf, but because they lack access to sign language.

A teacher stands in front of a whiteboard, raising her hand, whilst four children wearing animal masks face her with their hands raised in a classroom.

Deaf people are not disabled by deafness

They are disabled by audist societies.

When information is not accessible, when education is not delivered in national sign language, and when communication is limited, exclusion is created.

Inclusion begins by removing these barriers.

True inclusion requires structural change.

Be part of the change

What is deafness?

Deafness is often understood only through a medical lens, as something to fix or prevent. But deafness is also a linguistic and cultural experience.

Auditory-only approach

Focus on hearing loss
Medical treatments and devices
Fixing the individual

Human rights approach

Focus on full realisation of linguistic rights
Early and lifelong access to the national sign language
Removing societal barriers

Hearing care can be important. But on its own, it does not guarantee communication, inclusion and equality.

Why sign language matters?

Sign languages are real, natural human languages. They have their own grammar, structure, and vocabulary. For millions of deaf people, sign language is their first language. Early and full access to the national sign language is essential for:

Language development
Education
Identity
Social participation

Sign language has never harmed a deaf child. Language deprivation does.

An adult and a child sit on the floor in a living room, wearing glasses and gesturing to each other whilst playing with colourful wooden blocks.

The real barriers deaf people face

Deaf people are not disabled by their inability to hear

The main challenges deaf people face are not caused by deafness itself, but by lack of access. Without sign language, deaf people encounter barriers in:

Education
Health care
Information
Employment
Participation in society

These barriers are systemic and they can be changed.

Sign language rights are human rights

Access to language is a fundamental human right.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) recognises the importance of the national sign languages and obliges States to promote, protect, and ensure their use.

Yet in many countries, national sign languages still lack legal recognition and full implementation.

Sign language rights are not symbolic. They are essential to equality, dignity, and participation.

Support the Sign Language Rights