September is observed as Deaf Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the rights, experiences and aspirations of deaf people and to promote greater understanding of the importance of sign language. International Sign Language Day is celebrated annually on 23 September, with the 2026 theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights”.
The International Day of the Deaf was first celebrated in 1958, following its establishment by the World Federation of the Deaf. Over time, recognition of the day expanded to a full week, now known as the International Week of Deaf People, which is observed annually during the last full week of September.
South African Sign Language (SASL) plays an important role in advancing the linguistic and human rights of deaf people and promoting their meaningful participation in society. Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) CEO, Dr Keaobaka Seshoka, emphasised the importance of involving deaf people in decisions that affect them: “We cannot continue designing solutions for deaf people without including them; we need to work alongside the deaf community. We must support the development and increased use of SASL and create conditions in which it can flourish.”
Dr Seshoka urged all sectors of society to adopt the South African Sign Language Charter, which sets out key pledges that respond to the interconnected challenges faced by the deaf community. The Charter creates obligations to improve deaf communities’ access to quality information and to ensure the effective and equitable protection of their linguistic human rights.
The importance of early language acquisition and family support was also highlighted. “Equally important, we are working with other departments to implement workshops for parents and families of deaf children, recognising that early language acquisition, family support and inclusive communication are fundamental to the education, social and emotional development of deaf children,” said Dr Seshoka.
“These initiatives form part of PanSALB’s broader commitment to promoting linguistic human rights, advancing the use of South African Sign Language and fostering a more inclusive society in which deaf persons can participate fully and equally in all spheres of life,” she added.
The recognition of SASL as an official language marked an important milestone in advancing linguistic inclusion in South Africa. In July 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the constitutional amendment recognising South African Sign Language as one of the country’s official languages.
As South Africa observes Deaf Awareness Month, the focus on SASL provides an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of linguistic inclusion and to promote a society in which deaf children and adults can communicate, learn, participate and exercise their rights on an equal basis with others.