1. September 2025
Exactly 20 years ago, the Austrian sign language (ÖGS) was first anchored in the federal constitution – a historical milestone, fought by the deaf community. But still the following applies: Rights on paper do not mean real participation.
Despite the constitutional point of the constitution, there is still a lack of barrier -free education, the deaf educator: inside, on sufficient interpreters: inside, inclusive jobs and in comprehensive equality in politics, culture, health and digitization. “Many celebrate the anniversary, but we continue to experience discrimination every day. It is enough – now real participation is needed, not just words!”
, challenges Helene Jarmer, President of the Austrian Deaf Association (ÖGLB).
Campaign: 20 years – 20 demands
Because too little has moved after 20 years, the community starts a powerful campaign: “20 years of ÖGS recognition-20 demands”. Deaf people from all over Austria present demands such as:
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Right to bilingual education from birth
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Deaf Lead: Deaf managers in all relevant areas so that the needs and perspectives of the deaf community can be authentically and equal in decision -making processes.
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Accessibility in work, politics, culture and digital offers
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Full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities
“The deaf community raises its hands. We get up and we stand for our rights!”
Jarmer sums up the core message. And she adds: “Without communication, no equality – we finally ask for our right to language.”
ÖGLB education congress 2025
The next step to realize these claims will follow on September 12th and 13th at the international educational congress “Sign. Language. Education” in Vienna under the patronage of Federal President Alexander van der Bellen. In addition to international guests such as the President of the World Association of Deaf People (WFD), experts and representatives are discussed: Inside from research, politics and deaf community about the future of the education of deaf children.
The congress illustrates: “Education is the prerequisite for participation – and participation means the future. This future belongs to us too!”
according to Jarmer.
Education Congress 2025 Sign. Language. Education
The Education Congress 2025 offers space for exchange, international best practice examples and joint learning. The aim is to develop visions together for a multilingual, barrier-free educational landscape- with ÖGS as an equivalent teaching and communication language. For this, around 350 people from Austria and other European countries (mainly Germany and Switzerland) come to Vienna.
Datum: 12.09.2025 – 13.09.2025
Art: Conferences and conferences
Ort: University of Vienna
Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1
1090 Wien
Austria
URL: https://www.oeglb.at/bildungskongress-2025/anmeldung-und-information/
OTS original text press release with the exclusive in terms of content of the sender – www.ots.at | BEAR