June 27 Declared International Day of Deafblindness
- operations7108
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
We were pleased to recently learn this good news and to receive this letter from the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB).
Dear WFDB Members, Partners, and Allies,
On behalf of the WFDB and its President, Dr. Sanja Tarczay, we are extremely pleased to announce that the United Nations General Assembly has officially declared 27 June as the International Day of Deafblindness, starting in 2025.
This is a historic global milestone for the deafblind community, affirming deafblindness as a distinct disability with its own specific challenges, barriers, and support needs for full inclusion in society.
This recognition has also been made possible thanks to the collective support of around 100 countries that have co-sponsored this initiative. It also lays the foundation for concrete actions at national and international levels — including more inclusive policies, increased public awareness, and equitable access to services and supports for persons who are deafblind.
We extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations in New York for their leadership and unwavering commitment.
We are also immensely grateful to all co-sponsors, members, partners, and allies. This achievement would not have been possible without your collective support, advocacy, and tireless efforts. It is the result of a unified global voice that has long fought for the recognition and rights of persons who are deafblind.
Read the WFDB press release here:
This moment also honors the legacy of Helen Keller, whose activism continues to inspire the world.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
— Helen Keller