International Week of Deaf People 18-24 Sept 2023 – Theme, Importance & History

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International Week of Deaf People is an annual event observed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by deaf people, recognise their rights, the importance of sign language and early hearing loss detection globally on the last full week of September (Monday-Sunday), culminating with International Day of the Deaf on the last Sunday of the week.

This year, 2023, the International Week of Deaf People is observed between 18 to 24th of September (Monday - Sunday), and International Day of the Deaf is observed on the 24th of September (the last Sunday of September).

Importance of International Week of Deaf People

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, globally, there are 7 crore deaf persons, and more than 80% of them are from developing nations. As per the 2022 research report, the Global Burden of Disease survey reported 140 crore people (18.7%) had hearing loss (HL) in 2017 compared to 120 crore (17.2%) in 2008. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) report, more than 150 crore people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, which is about 20% of the world population, where 43 crore individuals globally have disabling hearing loss, which is expected to reach 70 crores by 2050. Globally, 3.4 crore children are deaf or suffer hearing loss, and 60% of those cases can be avoided. In geriatrics (those over 60 years), about 30% of them are having hearing loss.

As per a 2021 research report (a study conducted from 1980 to 2020), in India, the prevalence of hearing loss was reported as 6.6% to 16.47% in children, where Otitis media is the primary cause. Community-based research (all ages) found that HL prevalence ranged from 6% to 26.9% and that debilitating HL prevalence ranged from 4.5% to 18.3%. The rural areas and the elderly had shown a higher prevalence of hearing impairment.

Early detection can help to reduce hearing loss

Early detection and therapies can help to reduce many of the impacts of hearing loss, that includes special education courses and sign language classes for young children and their families. People with hearing loss can benefit from assistive technologies at any age, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, closed captioning, and other devices in addition to useful services such as speech therapy, aural rehabilitation, and others.

The burden of hearing loss is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income nations, where, according to the WHO estimation, the world's hearing aid production meets 3% of the need in these nations. Therefore, World Deaf Day can aid in creating awareness about early detection and preventive measures to minimise the risk of hearing loss, in addition to emphasising the challenges faced by deaf people.

International Week of Deaf People 2023 Theme

This year, 2023, the International Week of Deaf People theme is "A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!". A call to urge the governments to take steps to ensure that at least 50% of their children and youth know their national sign languages, as a first step toward creating societies in which deaf people can sign wherever.

Continuing the successful blue light campaign of the 2022 “Shine a blue light on Sign Languages”, the International Week of Deaf People 2023 gives a call to spotlight the various public places, public landmarks and official buildings, City Halls, etc., in blue light representing the unity of shared experience of national sign languages.

The World Federation of the Deaf has used the colour blue since its founding in 1951, and the Blue Ribbon has been used as a symbol of deaf communities' work over the centuries.

Year by year, the themes for International Week of Deaf People are:

International Week of Deaf People 2022 Theme: Building Inclusive Communities for All
International Week of Deaf People 2021 Theme: Celebrating Thriving Deaf Communities
International Week of Deaf People 2020 Theme: Reaffirming Deaf People's Human Rights
International Week of Deaf People 2019 Theme: Sign Language Rights for All!
International Week of Deaf People 2018 Theme: With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!

History of International Week of Deaf People

The World Federation of the Deaf established the International Week of the Deaf in 1958 in Rome, Italy. Since then, it has been observed yearly by the global Deaf Community in September last week to commemorate the month in which the World Federation of the Deaf convened its inaugural World Congress.

Preventive tips for deafness and hearing loss

According to WHO, about 50% of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures that can be implemented with ease. Some of the prevention strategies include:

Avoiding exposure to loud sounds and music.
Wearing protective equipment such as earplugs.
Controlling audio standards for personal audio systems and devices.
Screening for hearing loss in childhood to implement any early interventions.
Vaccination to avoid measles, rubella, etc., where deafness could pose as a complication.
Congenital deafness can be avoided if cytomegalovirus attack is prevented during pregnancy.