History of NWDP

The International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) and International Day of Deaf People (IDDP) are an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). These two events are traditionally held during September and are based on the founding dates of the WFD.

The WFD has advised that member countries are not bound to follow the dates set for IWDP and IDDP, but are instead free to set their own dates for national programs. Deaf Australia is the Australian ordinary member of the WFD.

Deaf Australia traditionally hold the National Week of Deaf People during the third (3rd) week of October. Since the recognition of International Day of Sign Languages by the United Nations, we have moved our NWDP to September to coincide with first recognition of IDSL.