Each year the theme is chosen by the World Federation of the Deaf and all country members are encouraged to celebrate International Week of Deaf People in September. 

This year the theme is "Sign Up for Sign Language Rights" 

Click here  for the key messages by the World Federation of the Deaf. 

Past themes have included:

• 2004 - Celebrating our International Deaf Community

• 2005 - Deaf People and Financial Access

• 2006 - Celebrating the Australian Deaf Community

• 2007 - Communicate IT

• 2008 - Living Auslan - Protecting the language of Deaf Community

• 2009 - Year of Reconciliation: Bringing us all together

• 2010 - Rapprochement of Cultures

• 2011 - From little things - Big things grow

• 2012 - Sign Bilingualism is a Human Right

• 2013 - Equality for Deaf People

• 2014 - Strengthening Human Diversity

• 2015 - With Auslan Rights, Deaf Children Can

• 2016 - With Auslan, I am equal!

• 2017 - Full Inclusion with Auslan!

• 2018 - With Sign Language, everyone is included! 

• 2019 - Revitalising Our Languages - Sign Language Rights for All

• 2020 - Reaffirming Deaf People's Human Rights

• 2021 - Celebrating thriving Deaf communities 

• 2022 - Building inclusive communities for all 

• 2023 - A World where Deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere

• 2024 - Sign Up for Sign Language Rights

Past IWDP Key Messages