International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated every year on 23 September.
The day marks the global movement for deaf unity and creating awareness about the deaf community in the world.
Sign language is the first language of the deaf people. It is the language that they use to communicate to one another.
Encouraging deaf people to communicate in sign language is like helping them for full realization of their human rights.
The day gives the opportunity for the deaf people to support and protect their linguistic identity and cultural diversity.
Around the world, there are 72 million people who are deaf and more than 300 different sign languages are used by them.
Deaf people are very talented and creative. Although they have a physical limitation of not being able to hear or speak like others, but with proper training and education in sign language, they can reach new heights and explore their abilities to the fullest.
By Sahana Iyer
