Deafness and human rights: breaking barriers for an inclusive future!

Deafness and human rights: breaking barriers for an inclusive future!

On December 10, 2024, the Austrian Deaf Association (ÖGLB) will dedicate itself to equality and inclusion of the deaf community on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. An important event at the University of Salzburg will address the rights of deaf people and will focus in particular on the recognition of sign language. “The realization of human rights for everyone, including deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people, is only possible with comprehensive accessibility,” emphasizes Mag.a Helene Jarmer, President of the ÖGLB. She highlights that accessibility is a fundamental human right that is often not yet fully realized, which significantly limits this community's participation in social life, such as OTS reported.

The event is entitled “Sign Language – The right to one’s own language and its effects” and will be accompanied by international and national experts to strengthen the rights of the deaf community and make their needs more visible. Despite the recognition of Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS) as an independent language in the constitution since 2005, there are still many barriers to communication and education that disadvantage deaf people. “It makes a crucial difference for deaf people whether they are viewed by law and society as merely disabled or as members of a linguistic minority,” explains Jarmer. This perspective pushes the need for special legal recognition of sign-speaking people in Austria Bing determines.

The challenges facing the deaf community require a strong political commitment to recognizing their rights as human rights. “We need a long-term process of collaboration between politics, society and the deaf community,” demands Jarmer and urges decisive action to ensure a fairer and inclusive future.