On September 12 and 13, 2025, the Austrian Deaf Association (ÖGLB), together with the associations from Germany and Switzerland, organized the 5th International Education Congress “Gems.sprache. Education – Strengthen sign language, improve education “ at the University of Vienna. Under the patronage of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the congress is the importance of sign language and inclusion at the center of the educational policy discussion. Over 300 international participants are expected, the specialist congress is almost sold out.
Educational justice through sign language
The focus of the two-day event is the future of bimodal bilingual education, new curricula and the consistent implementation of accessible learning worlds. Specialist lectures, panel discussions and workshops examine legal framework conditions, current research results and practical approaches for teaching and inclusion.
“In speech, content deaf children can often not be conveyed comprehensively. However, by gestalning, they visually reach the same level of education as hearing children”, emphasizes Helene Jarmer, President of the ÖGLB. “We urgently need to get away from the assumption that sign languages are only one aid to remedy a deficit.”
“For me, sign language is not just communication, but identity and home”, says Lukas Huber, Secretary General of the ÖGLB, “When we talk about education, it’s not just about school books, but about children from an early age: My language counts, my culture counts. And that changes a whole life.”
Political signal: joint explanation of the associations
At the end of the congress, the deaf associations from Austria, Germany and Switzerland say goodbye to a joint explanation. It contains central demands on politics and society, including:
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Legal recognition of sign languages with consistent implementation in all relevant areas
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Right to sign language from birth
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Right to multilingual, including education
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Implementation of international standards such as the UN Disabled Rights Convention (UN-BRK) and the “declaration on the rights of deaf children” of the World Federation of the Deaf (2023)
Deaf space, youth program and culture
In addition to the bilingual specialist program, the “Deaf Space” exchange only offers in sign language – with lectures on culture, health and social participation. A bilingual children’s program and a youth program in sign language promote early participation and empowerment of young community members. The weekend is rounded off by a cultural program in Austrian sign language.
Barrier -free participation as standard
All program items are interpreted simultaneously in spoken language, Austrian sign language (ÖGS), German sign language (DGS) and in the German -Swiss sign language (DSGS).
Social Media Kurztext:
“The focus: Education Congress 2025 in Vienna with over 300 visitors: inside from the roof room, international program and deaf space. Together, the deaf community requires a right to sign language from birth and inclusive education.”
Service for journalist: inside
The educational congress offers extensive media reporting options:
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Accreditation & Admission: Journalist: Inside, free access to the entire program including catering.
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Materials: press kit, photos and videos stand online available.
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Interviews: Talks with Expert: Interior and the board of the ÖGLB can be arranged on request with interpreter: in.
Education Congress 2025: “Sign. Language. Education”
Since 2010, the education congress has been taking place every few years in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. On September 12th and 13th, 2025, the Austrian deaf federation in Vienna is now inviting you to the 5th educational congress. The topic is “gestal. It’s about sign language in the education system and in society. The educational congress is a place for the exchange of knowledge and flagship examples from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Scientists: Inside, teachers: Inside and community members give lectures, discussions and workshops. Topics are the legal rules of sign language, their role in schools and the improvement of teacher training, teaching materials and teaching methods.
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/