Big Names Sign Up! Celebrating National Week of Deaf People 2021

Some of Australia’s biggest names joined us in celebrating National Week of Deaf People 2021 – watch their messages of support below!

National Week of Deaf People (NWDP) is an initiative that aligns with the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) International Week of the Deaf People. It is celebrated annually by the Australian Deaf Community during the last full week of September to commemorate the same month the first World Congress of the WFD was held.

NWDP is celebrated through various activities by the Deaf community around Australia, and celebrates the same theme that the WFD endorses; this year the theme is “Celebrating Thriving Deaf Communities”.

As part of our NWDP celebrations, we are once again running our Auslan Leaders Challenge, where political, business and community leaders record a short message in Auslan to celebrate Deaf language and culture.

This year we received over 38 videos, including messages of support from Emma Watkins, Nathan Borg and Zali Steggall! Watch some of our favourites below:

NWDP also features daily sub-themes:

Monday 20 Sep – Cherishing Deaf History

Tuesday 21 Sep – Sustainable Deaf Leadership

Wednesday 22 Sep – Sign languages for All Deaf Learners

Thursday 23 Sep – We Sign for Human Rights!

Friday 24 Sep – Intersectional Deaf Communities

Saturday 25 Sep – Deaf Culture and Arts

Sunday 26 Sep – Human Rights in Times of Crisis

Thank you for supporting all Deaf Australians through The Deaf Lottery. You can purchase tickets in our latest lottery below.