International Day of Sign Languages - why communication choices matter in advocacy

By Sharon de Jesús, Head of Advocacy, Your Voice Counts

Today is International Day of Sign Languages, and we’re taking a moment at Your Voice Counts to reflect on what this day really means - not just for Deaf people, but for all of us who care about inclusion, equality and human rights.

At its heart, advocacy is about communication. It’s about listening, understanding and helping people speak up in a way that’s meaningful to them. For Deaf people and sign language users, that means not just providing a BSL interpreter when needed but recognising that sign language is their first language, their culture and their identity.

We know from our advocacy work that barriers to communication often mean barriers to being heard. When appointments are rushed, interpreters aren’t booked or systems don’t plan ahead, Deaf people can be excluded from decisions about their own lives. That’s not good enough.

The United Nations reminds us that the right to use sign language is a human right. That’s why we believe Deaf people should have full and equal access to advocacy - and that means planning ahead, not treating BSL as an afterthought.

So today, we’re celebrating the richness of sign languages, the power of communication and the importance of inclusion in action.

At Your Voice Counts, we’ll keep working to make sure every voice is heard - spoken, signed or otherwise. Because everyone deserves to be part of the conversation.

For more information about our advocacy services, visit www.yvc.org.uk/advocacy.