Imagine walking into a bank, hospital or government office and needing to explain something important. You know what you want to say, but the person attending to you does not understand. You try again, someone is called to assist, and what should have been a simple conversation becomes a complicated process.
For many deaf people, situations like this can turn everyday activities into barriers. That is why sign language matters, and why 23 September is observed every year as the International Day of Sign Languages, a day established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in ensuring the human rights of deaf people.
This year’s celebration is particularly significant. The 2026 International Week of Deaf People, which runs from 21 to 27 September, is themed “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
Sign Language Is a Language
Sign language is sometimes misunderstood as spoken language acted out with the hands. It is not. Sign languages are fully developed natural languages, with their own grammar, structure and vocabulary. There is also no single universal sign language; different countries and communities use different sign languages.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% live in developing countries, and collectively they use more than 300 different sign languages.
This means access to communication affects how millions of people access education, healthcare, employment, financial services and public information.
When Communication Becomes a Barrier
Think about how much of everyday life depends on communication. You open a bank account, visit a hospital, attend an interview, apply for a job, report a problem or need emergency information.
For most people, communication is simply part of the process. But when the available means of communication does not work for you, the process itself can become a barrier.
This is why accessibility cannot stop at whether someone can enter a building or use a website. A deaf customer may be able to walk into a bank, but can they independently understand what is happening, ask questions and receive the information they need?
Accessibility is more than ramps, lifts and accessible toilets. It also means making information and services accessible.
Waiting until someone with a disability arrives before figuring out how to support them can also create unnecessary barriers. Solutions such as finding an interpreter, writing things down or asking someone to return another day may work in some situations, but they should not be the only plan.
Good accessibility considers different needs before someone has to ask.
Inclusion Means Listening
There is another important part of this conversation: people should not be making decisions about deaf people without involving them.
The World Federation of the Deaf’s 2026 theme places a strong focus on deaf people’s human rights and participation, including the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
This matters because the people experiencing the barriers are often best placed to explain what needs to change. It is one thing to say, “We want to make our service accessible.” It is another to ask, “What would make this service actually accessible to you?”
We can all start by recognising that not everyone communicates in the same way. If you meet someone who uses sign language, ask how they prefer to communicate. Be willing to use writing or text where appropriate, give people time and, most importantly, listen to what they need.
International Day of Sign Languages is a day to celebrate sign languages and the Deaf communities that use them. But it is also a reminder that communication is a basic part of participation.
In 2026, the message is clear: “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.” That means inclusion cannot stop at awareness. It has to show up in classrooms, workplaces, hospitals, banks, public offices and digital services.
Accessibility is not simply about making room for someone to enter. It is about making sure they can participate once they are there.
