International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) is a global observance led by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), marked annually during the last full week of September. It includes the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23, recognized by the United Nations, and is supported nationally in Canada by the Canadian Association of the Deaf – Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC). This page tracks Manitoba's participation, the Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages, Global Deaf Flag raisings, and community events throughout the week. 

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is the global organization behind International Week of Deaf People, coordinating the observance since it was first launched in 1958. WFD sets the annual theme, this year, "Declaring Deaf People's Human Rights", and leads international initiatives including the Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages and the Global Deaf Flag Raising. Founded in 1951 and recognized by the United Nations as the voice of the global Deaf community, WFD represents national Deaf associations from over 130 countries.

In Canada, IWDP is carried forward nationally by Canadian Association of the Deaf - Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC). Each year, CAD-ASC hosts a Deaf Flag Raising ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to mark the International Day of Sign Languages, and coordinates the Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages Campaign across Canadian communities, inviting landmarks and buildings nationwide to be lit blue on September 23 in recognition of Deaf culture, sign language rights, and unity. CAD-ASC's 2026–2030 Strategic Plan also affirms its ongoing commitment to supporting WFD initiatives and defending recognition of the International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of the Deaf People in Canada.

September 23 marks the International Day of Sign Languages, a fixed date within IWDP that commemorates the founding of WFD in 1951. The United Nations General Assembly formally declared this observance on December 19, 2017, following a resolution proposed through the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda at WFD's request, adopted with support from 97 UN Member States, including Canada. The day is intended to raise awareness of sign languages and strengthen recognition of their status worldwide.

🔗 World Federation of the Deaf (WFD): International Week of Deaf People 2026

🔗 Canadian Association of the Deaf - Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC): International Week of Deaf People 2026

On September 23, Deaf communities around the world take part in Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages, lighting up landmarks, buildings, and public spaces in blue. Launched by WFD in 2019, the campaign invites governments, organizations, and the public to spotlight key buildings in blue as a visible, unified show of support for Deaf communities and national sign languages. Blue holds special meaning within Deaf culture: it's one of the three colours of the official Deaf Flag, representing sign language, unity, and humanity's shared connection to the global Deaf community. In Canada, the campaign is coordinated nationally by CAD-ASC, with landmarks lit blue in communities from coast to coast. In Manitoba, this is coordinated by the Manitoba Deaf Association (MDA).

🔗 World Federation of the Deaf (WFD): Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages

🔗 Canadian Association of the Deaf - Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC): Blue Light Campaign

Alongside Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages, WFD leads the Global Deaf Flag Raising, inviting communities, institutions, and governments worldwide to raise the official Deaf Flag in public spaces during IWDP. The flag, approved at WFD's 20th General Assembly in July 2023, is a visible symbol of Deaf identity, culture, and unity, promoting recognition of Deaf communities wherever it's raised. In Canada, CAD-ASC hosts a national flag raising on Parliament Hill in Ottawa each September 23, while local organizations, city halls, schools, and community associations, hold their own raisings across the country. In Manitoba, these are coordinated by the Manitoba Deaf Association (MDA).

🔗 World Federation of the Deaf (WFD): Global Deaf Flag Raising

🔗 Canadian Association of the Deaf - Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC): Deaf Flag Raising

In Manitoba, the Manitoba Deaf Association (MDA) coordinates all local Shine a Blue Light On Sign Languages and Global Deaf Flag Raisings activity for IWDP, working with participating locations across the province to confirm dates, times, and sites each year. MDA also supports accessible educational and recreational activities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community across Manitoba, and is the primary point of contact for anyone in Manitoba looking to participate.

The map below marks confirmed locations across Manitoba taking part in Shine a Blue Light On Sign Languages and/or Global Deaf Flag Raisings during IWDP 2026. Pins are updated as the Manitoba Deaf Association (MDA) confirms participating sites, dates, and times. Tap a pin to see full event details.

Map Legends

🔵 Blue Pin: Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages

🟡 Yellow Pin: Global Deaf Flag Raising

The list below marks confirmed locations across Manitoba taking part in Shine a Blue Light On Sign Languages and/or Global Deaf Flag Raisings during IWDP 2026. The list is updated as the Manitoba Deaf Association (MDA) confirms participating sites, dates, and times.

Shine a Blue Light On Sign Languages

Global Deaf Flag Raisings

Workshops, socials, ASL sessions, and other activities happening during the week, not tied to Shine a Blue Light On Sign Languages and/or Global Deaf Flag Raisings.

This page is maintained by the Manitoba Deaf Association (MDA) to coordinate Manitoba's participation in International Week of Deaf People. For community events, please contact the host organization directly for more information. For questions or concerns about Shine a Blue Light On Sign Languages and/or Global Deaf Flag Raisings events in Manitoba, please contact us at hello@mbdeafassoc.ca.