On December 10, 2024, International Human Rights Day, the Austrian Deaf Association (ÖGLB) is dedicated to the full equality and inclusion of the deaf community in Austria.
In cooperation with the Austrian Institute for Human Rights, the ÖGLB invites you to an important event at the University of Salzburg on the occasion of Human Rights Day, which will address the rights of deaf people, particularly with regard to the recognition and protection of sign language.
“The realization of human rights for everyone, including deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people, is only possible with comprehensive accessibility.”
said Helene Jarmer, President of the ÖGLB. “Accessibility is a fundamental human right and the prerequisite for equal and self-determined participation in society. Unfortunately, many hard of hearing, deaf and deaf-blind people in Austria still experience numerous barriers. And these barriers severely limit the realization of their human rights.”
Jarmer continued.
Under the title “Sign Language – The right to your own language and its effects” International and national experts will conduct an important dialogue to strengthen the rights of the deaf community and make their needs more visible in society. The ÖGLB sees this event as an important opportunity to highlight the ongoing barriers that deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people experience every day and the need for better political support.
“The event spreads and promotes the idea of human rights, which is what the Austrian Institute stands for”
like Univ.-Prof. Dr. Reinhard Klaushofer, head of the Austrian Institute for Human Rights, emphasized.
Deaf people are hindered by a lack of access to their language
The deaf community in Austria continues to struggle with massive challenges due to the lack of accessibility in communication, education and participation in public life. The ÖGLB emphasizes a fundamental aspect: Deaf people are hindered by the lack of access to their language and the resulting barriers. Although Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS) has been recognized as an independent language since 2005, there are still significant deficits in the practical implementation of linguistic and cultural rights. The ÖGLB refers here primarily to the difficult situation of deaf children in the educational sector.
Focus on human rights demands
The ÖGLB calls for the full implementation of human rights for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people, particularly in the following areas:
- Access to sign language in all areas of life: The ÖGLB demands that sign language be recognized and promoted as an equal form of communication in all areas of life, from education to work.
- Recognition of the deaf community as a linguistic minority: The ÖGLB is committed to ensuring that deaf people are recognized not only as people with disabilities, but as part of a language community. This recognition would bring about far-reaching improvements in the legal protections and social status of the deaf community.
- Complete accessibility and anti-discrimination laws: The ÖGLB calls for increased measures to combat linguistic discrimination and to promote an inclusive society. This includes the legal protection of sign language and the promotion of accessibility in all public areas.
The ÖGLB calls for stronger political commitment
The ÖGLB emphasizes that the path to an inclusive society is a long-term process that requires cooperation between politics, society and the deaf community. “We need a strong political commitment that recognizes and protects the rights of the deaf community as human rights. Every day, but especially today, we want to highlight these important issues and fight for a more just and sustainably inclusive future.”
said Helene Jarmer in conclusion.
Event in Salzburg: International experts in dialogue
The event will address central issues of sign language promotion and human rights.
SIGN LANGUAGE: The right to one’s own language and its effects
WHEN: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m
WO: University of Salzburg, Faculty of Theology, Universitätsplatz 1, HS 101
Speakers:
- Prof. Dr. Fernand de Varennes, former UN special rapporteur on minorities
- Alexandre Bloxs LLM., Policy Manager at the European Union of the Deaf (EUD)
- Mag.a Christine Steger, Federal Attorney for the Disabled
- Prof. Dr. Christian Rathmann, head of the “Deaf Studies and Sign Language Interpreting” department at the Humboldt University in Berlin
SIGN LANGUAGE: The right to one’s own language and its effects
Datum: December 10, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – December 10, 2024, 4:00 p.m
Art: Conferences and meetings
Ort: University of Salzburg, Faculty of Theology, HS 101
University place 1
5020 Salzburg
Austria