Several buildings will be illuminated in the colour blue to mark the International Day of Sign Languages and Blue for ISL campaign today.
The colour blue is a visual method of highlighting important dates for the Deaf Community. People are encouraged to wear blue, and state organisations are asked to light up landmarks.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.
RTÉ will illuminate the sign on the Plaza of its Donnybrook campus in a show of support. The public service broadcaster is the only terrestrial broadcaster who has supported ISL Week this year.
The colour is significant to the deaf community as Dark blue was selected by the World Federation of the Deaf and Deaf associations around the World to represent Deafhood.
Blue symbolises Sign Language and is representative of how Deaf communities cherish their language.
Dr. Paddy Ladd introduced the concept of Deafhood and established the 'Blue Ribbon ceremony to commemorate the experiences of Deaf people around the world.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are over 70 million deaf people worldwide, with more than 80% of them living in developing countries. Together they use over 300 different sign languages.
The International Day of Sign Languages provides a unique chance for people to support and protect the linguistic identity and diversity of the deaf community and other sign language users.
It was first celebrated in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf.
