Recap: International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of the Deaf

Our observances of the International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) and the International Week of the Deaf (IWD) were a resounding success! On Monday, President Cordano, World Federation of the Deaf president Joseph J. Murray, and others welcomed community members. This was followed by a cake cutting. The same afternoon, we hosted presentations on the Clin d’Oeil Festival and the Payne Fellowship program for international study. On Tuesday, the Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies and American Sign Language (ASL) Connect conducted a poster session and a panel on language rights and vitality.

These events were part of a worldwide celebration of Deaf people, their culture, their language, and their achievements under the auspices of the World Federation of the Deaf. The theme of this year’s observance was “Sign Language Rights for All!” Thanks to the Office of the President, the Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, and ASL Connect for sponsoring this year’s events. We are already looking forward to next year!