On 21 February, International Mother Language Day, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) reflects on the gains made over the past 25 years and emphasizes the pivotal role of sign language in improving learning outcomes and fostering inclusion.
Sign language is fundamental in ensuring that deaf learners are included in learning institutions. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 24(3) and (4)) recognises the rights of deaf learners to be educated in environments that maximise both educational and social development. Inclusive education for deaf learners is achieved through quality bilingual sign language schools and other educational settings teaching the national sign language.
As we celebrate silver jubilee of international mother language day, we acknowledge key milestones. This includes the adoption of General Comment No. 4 on Inclusive Education by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the recognition of Education as a development issue under SDG 4, which calls access to equitable and accessible education for all. We welcome governments efforts to promote sign language as a national language and celebrate 74 countries that legally recognize sign language as a national language. We also acknowledge the progress made by States in adopting bilingual schools.
Nevertheless, more needs to be done to ensure equitable and inclusive education that promotes lifelong learning for deaf learners. To date, an overwhelmingly 119 countries are yet to recognize sign language in national legislation, jeopardizing inclusive education for deaf learners. We are further concerned about the global decline in investments in inclusive education, as highlighted in periodic reviews by the CRPD Committee. According to UNESO, investment in education remains alarmingly insufficient, with a funding gap of about $97 billion annually in low- and middle-income countries. Such funding gaps risk leading to government cuts in services and closure of bilingual schools for deaf learners leading to lower school completion rates and poorer learning outcomes.
A Call for Action
Building a truly inclusive education system is the only way to achieve Art 24 of the CRPD and SDG4 for all learners with disabilities, including deaf learners. Realising the right to education for children who are deaf necessitates recognition and realisation of their language rights within the inclusive education system.
On this silver jubilee celebration of International Mother Language Day, IDA emphasizes the importance of multilingual education systems and calls upon States to:
- Legally recognize sign language in national legislations
- Ensure a diversity of languages including sign language are used in education systems
- Ensure deaf learners receive equitable access to information and education in national sign languages
- Work with organizations of persons with disabilities in particular organizations of deaf persons to ensure that national legislations align with Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Invest in teacher training, offer support to ensure fluency in sign language and avail training materials
- Include sign language training in national education curriculum
