The International Day of Sign Languages celebrated on 23 September is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
In this video, Moin- Ud-Din Fakhri, a DPS employee, introduces himself using sign language. He is also sharing his experience at Dawood Public School and introducing Dawood Development Unit (DDU). Sign languages are full-fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages.
There is also an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. It is considered a pidgin form of sign language that is not as complex as natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages. It makes clear that sign languages are equal in status to spoken languages and obligates states parties to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community.