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International Day of Sign Languages
Details
23 September 2024
Organisational Members, Platform Members
Join us in celebrating the International Day of Sign Languages, promoting greater accessibility and inclusion for all!
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, more than 70 million people worldwide are deaf, and are using more than 300 different sign languages to communicate.
A 2024 joint report by the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People and other associations revealed that about 59 million Europeans experience hearing loss that impacts their daily communication, yet only 22% are using hearing aids.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is crucial to continue championing the inclusion of deaf individuals and sign language users across all areas of society.
To mark this occasion, we highlight a selection of remarkable initiatives in our network that are making opera and dance more accessible to people with hearing impairments, celebrating the intersection of performing arts and accessibility.
© Teatro Sociale di Como - AsLiCo i
Sensory Theatre - Teatro Sociale di Como - AsLiCo (Italy)
Sensory Theatre, Recipient of the Next Stage Grants 2022, is a pivotal initiative focused on the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members in performances by providing free materials such as inclusive and interactive books, audio descriptions of shows, videos of the choreography in Italian Sign Language, and various teaching materials.
Current shows with accessible materials are:
Turandot. Riddles at the Museum
Magic Flute. The Sound of Peace
Cinderella: Grand Hotel of Dreams
Deep Water
Rigoletto: The Mysteries of the Theatre
Find out more about the project by checking out their website and videos on their overall project and their Next Stage application.
© Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier i
Accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing audiences - Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier Occitanie (France)
Following groundbreaking productions like the world's first sign-sung opera, Don Pasquale, in 2019, the Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier Occitanie continues its commitment to making opera accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences through a range of inclusive services.
This season, they are offering:
French-subtitled performances and sign language-interpreted shows for productions such as Le Petit Prince, premiering on 30 November.
Free Subpac vibrating vests, allowing deaf audiences to experience the music through vibrations, available for upcoming performances like Rocío Molina: Carnación, Le Petit Prince, amongst many others.
French Sign Language (LSF) guided tours of the opera house.
For details on which performances offer these services, visit the accessibility section under upcoming show dates or explore the dedicated accessibility page for a full overview.
Ombra and the implementation of sign language - Opera Ballet Vlaanderen (Belgium)
Earlier this year, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen brought to stage a new production, Ombra, directed by Alain Platel. With the guidance of sign language artistic coach Bart Verheyden, both the dancers and the choir seamlessly incorporated sign language as an intrinsic part of their performance.
Discover more about the piece and watch their video highlighting the use of sign language throughout the performance.
© Valeria Isaeva i
Moving Soundscapes - Greek National Opera (Greece)
Moving Soundscapes is an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at special education schools, teenagers (with or without visual/hearing disabilities), and educators. The workshops are designed to foster creativity and inclusion through sensory exploration, like the use of audio or kinetic games, and artistic expression, with interpretation in Greek Sign Language.
Discover more about the previous year's workshops.
