Panaji: Goa is set to host a major week-long gathering of the Deaf and sign language community from October 5 to 11, 2026, with Deaf leaders, youth and women representatives, sign language interpreters and organisations from across Asia expected to participate.
Delegates from India, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Bhutan, Laos, Mongolia, Thailand and Nepal are expected to take part in a series of regional programmes focused on leadership, accessibility, inclusion, Deaf rights and sign language development.
The major events include the 12th WFDRA Youth Camp, Deaf Asia Conference, 38th FDRA Representative Meeting, 15th FDRA Youth Section Representative Meeting, 1st WDRSA Women Section Representative Meeting and WASLI Asia Conference 2026.
The 12th WFDRA Youth Camp, scheduled from October 5 to 9, will provide young Deaf participants with a platform for leadership development, exchange of ideas, discussions on issues affecting Deaf youth and regional networking.
From October 9 to 11, the Deaf Asia Conference and associated regional programmes will bring together Deaf leaders, women representatives, sign language interpreters and organisations to discuss Deaf rights, leadership, accessibility, inclusion, sign language development and regional cooperation.
The WASLI Asia Conference 2026 will focus on sign language interpreting, interpreter education, professional standards, leadership and accessibility. The women’s section meeting will also provide a platform to strengthen the participation and leadership of Deaf women at the Asian level.
India will host these major regional Deaf and sign language gatherings for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the country’s Deaf movement and sign language community.
The programmes are being organised by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, in association with the All India Federation of the Deaf and the Goa Association of the Deaf.
Goa was selected to host the gatherings in view of its work in accessibility and inclusion, including initiatives such as Purple Fest, along with the state’s tourism infrastructure and connectivity.
As part of the week-long programme, an Inclusive Run will be held on October 11 at Miramar Circle. Jointly organised with the Rotary Club of Bardez Coastal, the run will feature 3 km, 5 km and 7 km categories and will bring together persons with disabilities, Deaf participants, families, community members and the general public.
The Inclusive Run will mark the public culmination of the week-long gatherings, promoting inclusion, accessibility, participation and equal opportunity while creating greater awareness about the Deaf community.
The week-long programmes are expected to provide a platform for strengthening Deaf leadership, empowering youth and women, promoting sign language development and interpreter education, and encouraging greater regional cooperation.
The hosting of these gatherings in Goa is also expected to increase visibility of Deaf culture, identity and accessibility and provide a platform for discussions on the rights and participation of Deaf people in India and across Asia.
