TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Toronto Association of the Deaf is coordinating 15 events in the greater Toronto area during the week of September 21-27th. These IWD-TAD events are in conjunction with the "International Week of the Deaf," which is held globally under the auspice of the World Federation of the Deaf.
Deaf individuals have basic human rights to use sign language at birth. Sign language must be made available to Deaf persons as a birth right. Article 24 Section 3b on Education in the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" obligates government to facilitate learning of sign language.
This year's theme is "With Sign Language Rights, Our Children Can!" IWD is celebrated worldwide during the last full week every September to promote the human rights of Deaf people throughout the world and increase understanding, recognition, and respect for the rights of Deaf people.
Children who are born Deaf or lose their hearing often are denied the right to use sign language by parents who are misguided by the medical profession or deny outcome of diagnosis. Without sign language, Deaf people experience high unemployment and face attitudinal indifferences in many facets of their everyday lives. Acquiring sign language shall not be considered as a "last resort."
In the greater Toronto area, IWD-TAD events include a Sign Language Rights presentation, "Sign Language Rights, Our Children Can!" Rally at Queens Park, four Open Houses; a Forum, meet the new CEO of Canadian Hearing Society, a Deaf Youth Filmmakers showing, literacy, a BBQ picnic, performance and Deaf film showing.
All IWD-TAD events, which are open to the general public, cover Arts, Communication, Community, Culture,
Human Rights, Recreation, and Services. SIGNS restaurant will host daily "Sign Language Happy Hour" and also two "SIGNS Happy Hour" evening events.
TD Bank is sponsoring IWD-TAD for the second consecutive year, underwriting costs of a billfold pocket-size leaflet listing events and a map, and an online printable booklet version.
International Week of the Deaf – http://wfdeaf.org/?s=iwd
2015 Theme: "With Sign Language Rights, Our Children Can!"
IWD-TAD Sponsor: TD Bank
IWD-TAD Event Sponsors:
IWD Organizer: Toronto Association of the Deaf
Website: www.DeafToronto.ca
Online printable IWD-TAD booklet – www.DeafToronto.ca/IWD
Resources: IWD information, interviews can be arranged
SOURCE Toronto Association of the Deaf
Image with caption: "Toronto Association of the Deaf (CNW Group/Toronto Association of the Deaf)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150921_C4215_PHOTO_EN_501979.jpg
Media Contact: David Rosenbaum, IWD-TAD Chair, Email: [email protected]
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