Welcome to the United Nations
Today marks the inaugural International Day of Deafblindness, officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of deafblindness as a distinct disability and champion the rights of individuals with combined vision and hearing loss.
The date—June 27—is intentionally chosen to coincide with the birthday of Helen Keller, the legendary disability rights advocate and the world’s first deafblind university graduate, who was born on June 27, 1880. Her legacy inspired the establishment of Deafblind Awareness Week in 1984, and now serves as a powerful symbol for this global recognition.
The UN resolution formally declaring this day—co-sponsored by 99 Member States—was adopted on June 16, 2025, following tireless efforts by advocates including the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), supported by countries such as Croatia, Malta, Germany, Finland, Poland, Italy, and Jordan.
In tandem with the Day, Deafblind Awareness Week takes place from June 23–29, amplifying a theme centred on inclusion and empowerment. During this week, organizations worldwide—including Deafblind UK, the Helen Keller National Center, and others—are hosting awareness events, educational workshops, and outreach campaigns.
Deafblindness—a condition of dual sensory loss—poses unique challenges to communication, mobility, education, and social inclusion . With this new UN recognition, the global community is urged to develop policies that promote accessibility, support services, and socio-economic inclusion for persons with deafblindness.
As the world marks this historic first International Day, advocates hope it will be a catalyst—shining a light on the resilience of the deafblind community, honoring the enduring legacy of Helen Keller, and accelerating global progress toward a more inclusive society.
