Deaf Awareness initiatives held in Switzerland and Italy

Various initiatives are being held across Europe to mark Deaf Awareness Week and promote the inclusion of the deaf community through sign language and social awareness.

In Switzerland, the public broadcaster RSI is highlighting the Italian Sign Language (LIS) through several programs. These include guided tours of the Comano studios with LIS translation, specialized broadcasts such as ‘SEGNI’, and interviews aimed at emphasizing the importance of accessibility as a public service mandate. The goal is to provide visibility to the deaf community and its unique culture to prevent social exclusion.

In Italy, the second edition of a deafness awareness day is scheduled for September 26 at the Istituto Filippo Smaldone in Lecce. The event brings together medical professionals, educational institutions, and social organizations to discuss hearing impairment. The program includes institutional speeches, musical performances, and discussions on sports inclusion, featuring representatives from the Ente Nazionale Sordi and FIADDA Salento.