Thailand's Deaf Association Marks 11th World Sign Language Day, 26-27 September 2026

The National Association of the Deaf in Thailand, together with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) and a network of public and private sector partners, is holding the 11th World Sign Language Day and International Week of the Deaf 2026 on 26-27 September 2026 at the car park of The Street Ratchada, Bangkok, under the concept "Deaf Rights Are Human Rights". The event aims to raise awareness that sign language is a basic right that opens the way to education, employment and equal access to information. Over the two days, more than 3,000 people are expected to attend.

On 26 September 2026, Ms. Sonthaya Boonyaphusit, Director-General of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, presided over the opening ceremony, with Mr. Wittayut Bunnag, President of the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand, leading the welcome. Ms. Sonthaya said the Department is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities so that they can access welfare and social opportunities fully and fairly. This event is therefore an important collaboration between the public sector, disability organisations, the private sector and civil society to push for the rights of deaf people to be recognised and put into practice.

This Year's Theme: Deaf Rights Are Human Rights

Mr. Wittayut said this year's theme reflects that the rights of deaf people are not special privileges but basic human rights that must be recognised and put into practice. Sign language is not just a communication tool but the foundation for access to other rights; when deaf people can access language and information equally, they have the opportunity to learn, work, use services and participate in society to their full potential. The Association has held this event every September, and this year marks the 11th time.

Two Days of Activities

The event features sign language performances from schools for the deaf, performances by winners of a sign-language storytelling competition, as well as exhibitions and stalls from associations, clubs, network organisations and deaf entrepreneurs, alongside panel discussions linking rights to real life, including:

• Panel discussion "Deaf Rights Are Human Rights, Based on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities"
• Panel discussion "Human Rights of Deaf People in Thailand: Access to Education for the Deaf"
• Discussion "Sharing Sign Language Experiences of the Deaf Community: Created by Hearing People or Deaf People"
• Discussion "Communication That Leaves No One Behind: Sign Language, Spoken Language and Deaf People's Right to Access in the 21st Century"

The topics on stage cover education, employment, relationships, access to telecommunications services, as well as services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people through the Deaf Access Center. The event coincides with the International Day of Sign Languages and the International Week of the Deaf, which the World Federation of the Deaf marks around 23 September every year.

This story will be of interest to event organisers and organisations looking for ways to hold social activities accessible to people with disabilities, as well as hotel and venue professionals wanting to learn how to provide services that are deaf-friendly, and members of the public who wish to support equal rights in Thai society.