International Day of Sign Languages 2025

On 23 September 2025, the world observes the International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) - a United Nations - recognised awareness day that highlights the importance of sign languages in protecting the human rights of more than 70 million deaf people worldwide.

Led by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), this year’s theme is:

“No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights.”

In this blog, Anna Nova Galeon will explore the significance of this year’s theme, define key terms, and outline the practical implications for highly regulated organisations across health and social care, education, and workplace compliance. We also provide actionable steps organisations can take to embed accessibility and inclusion into their governance, training, and daily practice.

What is the International Day of Sign Languages?

The International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) was first proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2017 and celebrated for the first time in 2018. Its purpose is to:

• Promote the recognition of sign languages as full and equal languages

• Celebrate the linguistic and cultural identity of deaf communities

• Advocate for the human rights of deaf people.

It forms part of the International Week of the Deaf (IWD), also coordinated by WFD, which amplifies advocacy and awareness across the last week of September.

In the UK, this global observance resonates strongly because of recent progress. The British Sign Language (BSL) Act 2022 gave BSL legal recognition and requires government departments and public services to promote and report on their use of BSL. This reinforces the obligations of organisations to provide accessible services and workplaces.

Why sign language rights matter

Communication is not optional - it is foundational to dignity, safety, and participation. Yet, many deaf and hard-of-hearing people still face systemic barriers.

For regulated organisations, these barriers have significant consequences:

• Health and social care - Unsafe care can occur when diagnoses, treatments, or consent are not communicated in accessible ways.

• Safeguarding - Missed communication may prevent disclosures of abuse or neglect

• Education - Deaf learners face attainment gaps without interpreters, captioned materials, or specialist support

• Workplace equality - Failure to provide accessible interviews, training, or adjustments can amount to discrimination

• Governance - Breaches of the Equality Act 2010 or Accessible Information Standard can lead to enforcement action, reputational damage, and financial penalties.

The 2025 theme reminds organisations that denying sign language rights equals denying human rights.

Key concepts organisations must understand

To act meaningfully on the 2025 theme, organisations must first understand the core concepts that shape accessibility, rights, and compliance in practice. Below are four key concepts every regulated organisation should be clear about:

1. Deaf vs Hard of hearing

• Deaf - People who identify culturally and linguistically with the Deaf community, often with sign language as their first language.

• Hard of hearing - Individuals with partial hearing loss who may not identify as part of the Deaf community.

2. British Sign Language (BSL)

A distinct language with its own grammar and syntax, not a signed form of English.

3. Reasonable adjustments

Required under the Equality Act 2010 - for example, providing qualified BSL interpreters, captioning, or accessible alarms.

4. Accessible communication

Includes interpreters, captioned videos, visual alerts, text-based services, and digital systems compatible with video relay.

Practical implications for highly regulated organisations

Understanding the concepts is only the first step - regulated organisations must also apply them in practice. Below are five key areas where accessibility and compliance directly intersect:

1. Health and social care

• CQC standards require providers to evidence equitable, person-centred care

• The Accessible Information Standard mandates accessible communication for patients with disabilities, including sign language users

• Non-compliance can compromise patient safety and lead to regulatory sanctions.

2. Education and early years

• Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF) requires inclusion and SEND provision

• Schools, colleges, and universities must provide specialist staff, captioned resources, and accessible teaching environments.

3. Workplace compliance

• Employers regulated by the HSE must ensure that safety information and training are accessible to deaf employees

• Recruitment, training, and appraisal processes must be supported by interpreters or captioning to avoid discrimination.

4. Governance and risk management

• Boards should integrate accessibility into governance frameworks, risk assessments, and compliance reporting.

• Regulators expect organisations to demonstrate accessibility in quality improvement plans.

5. Digital transformation

• Digital-first services must be designed inclusively - supporting captioning, video relay, and screen readers

• AI-powered solutions should be tested for accuracy and inclusivity when used in communication or service delivery.

The human and business case

While compliance frameworks set the baseline, the case for sign language inclusion is broader:

• Trust - Accessible services build confidence with regulators, communities, and service users

• Workforce diversity - Inclusive recruitment strengthens teams and widens the talent pool.

• Innovation - Accessibility measures, like captions, benefit wider populations (e.g., non-native speakers)

• Resilience - Organisations that embrace accessibility are more adaptable and inspection-ready.

How organisations can act on IDSL 2025

To align with the 2025 theme, organisations can:

• Audit accessibility practices - Check compliance with the BSL Act 2022 and Equality Act duties

• Train staff in deaf awareness - Make it part of mandatory training for safeguarding, equality, and communication

• Embed interpreters and captioning - Ensure availability for clinical consultations, education settings, and workplace events

• Upgrade digital platforms - Support video relay, captioning, and accessible booking systems

• Engage with Deaf communities - Co-produce policies and consult with service users.

Conclusion

The International Day of Sign Languages 2025 reminds us that human rights and sign language rights are inseparable. For highly regulated organisations, this is not only a moral commitment but also a compliance duty.

By embedding accessibility into governance, training, service delivery, and digital innovation, organisations can move beyond box-ticking to create inclusive systems where every voice is heard - and every right protected.

Embedding sign language rights into compliance with ComplyPlus™

At The Mandatory Training Group, we know that accessibility is more than a legal requirement - it is a test of trust, safety, and accountability. That’s why we created ComplyPlus™, our all-in-one compliance ecosystem.

ComplyPlus™ enables organisations in health and social care, education, and other regulated sectors to:

• Evidence accessibility in policies, audits, and inspections

• Track mandatory training in deaf awareness, safeguarding, and equality

• Centralise governance with secure document management and reporting

• Demonstrate inclusivity to regulators, stakeholders, and communities.

International Day of Sign Languages 2025 reminds us that no human rights exist without sign language rights. ComplyPlus™ ensures your organisation can prove compliance and build a culture of inclusion.