International Day of Deafblindness2026 · Date · History · Messages
A/RES/79/294
About International Day of Deafblindness
The International Day of Deafblindness is observed on 27 June. It raises awareness of deafblindness as a distinct disability and of the communication, information, mobility, service-access and inclusion barriers experienced by people who are deafblind.
The observance is intended to improve visibility in policy and public life while emphasizing accessibility, professional deafblind interpretation and interpreter-guide support, independent living and full participation.
Why International Day of Deafblindness matters
Deafblindness is not adequately understood by simply adding separate assumptions about deafness and blindness. Combined sensory loss can create distinct communication, orientation, information and access needs that require tailored support.
The Day is also an inclusion checkpoint: organizations can examine whether information, events, education, employment and public services are usable by people who communicate or navigate in different ways.
History of International Day of Deafblindness
The initiative was led in the UN process by Croatia with a cross-regional group and engagement from the World Federation of the Deafblind.
On 16 June 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted A/RES/79/294. The resolution proclaimed 27 June of each year, beginning in 2025, as the International Day of Deafblindness.
The selected date commemorates the birth of Helen Keller on 27 June 1880.
The resolution is the first General Assembly resolution specifically addressing deafblindness as a unique and distinct disability.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Croatia with a cross-regional group, working with the World Federation of the Deafblind
United Nations coverage identifies Croatia as introducing the resolution; UN material describes the initiative as led by Croatia with cross-regional partners and the World Federation of the Deafblind.
United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/79/294
First documented observance
A/RES/79/294 explicitly proclaims 27 June of each year beginning in 2025, establishing the first annual occurrence under the resolution.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day of Deafblindness
Ask deafblind people and representative organizations what accessibility barriers matter most before designing an awareness event.
Provide information in formats appropriate to the audience and plan for communication support, including qualified deafblind interpreters or interpreter-guides where needed.
Audit physical and digital services for combined sensory-access barriers rather than checking visual and hearing accessibility separately.
Use the Day to improve long-term inclusion policies, procurement and staff practice instead of limiting activity to symbolic awareness.
International Day of Deafblindness Facts
The Day is observed on 27 June.
The General Assembly adopted A/RES/79/294 on 16 June 2025.
The resolution specifies that annual observance begins in 2025.
27 June commemorates the birth of Helen Keller.
The UN process was led by Croatia with cross-regional partners and involvement from the World Federation of the Deafblind.
International Day of Deafblindness Messages
On International Day of Deafblindness, may awareness be matched by compassion, reliable information and practical support for people directly affected.
International Day of Deafblindness is a reminder to listen without stigma, share trustworthy information and treat every person with dignity.
May International Day of Deafblindness highlight accessible communication and the leadership of people who are deafblind.
Marking International Day of Deafblindness with care means learning from credible sources and making space for the voices and experiences of people most affected.
Today, may International Day of Deafblindness turn attention into informed action, empathy and support that lasts beyond a single day.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/79/294 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations meetings coverage — 16 June 2025 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Web TV — International Day of Deafblindness initiative (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Deafblindness (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Deafblindness?
27 June The documented recurrence rule is: 27 June.
Does International Day of Deafblindness fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Deafblindness an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day of Deafblindness?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Croatia with a cross-regional group, working with the World Federation of the Deafblind.
Is International Day of Deafblindness international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
Why is the International Day of Deafblindness on 27 June?
The date commemorates the birth of Helen Keller on 27 June 1880.
When did the UN observance begin?
A/RES/79/294 proclaims 27 June of each year beginning in 2025, so 27 June 2025 is the first official annual occurrence under the resolution.
What is the purpose of the Day?
It raises awareness of deafblindness as a distinct disability and promotes the empowerment, inclusion and participation of people who are deafblind.
Other observances on June 27
These observances are also listed on June 27, 2027.
Day of National Unity
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Day of Workers of Culture and Art and Poetry of Magtymguly Fragi
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Helen Keller Day
GovInfo documents President Jimmy Carter’s 1980 proclamation designating 27 June 1980 as Helen Keller Day for the centennial of Keller’s birth; later public institutions continue to use 27…
Independence Day
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Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
A/RES/71/279
National Fatherless Children’s Day
A creator-issued Finding Fathers Inc. release dated 26 November 2020 records founder Donald R. Adams II proclaiming the fourth Sunday of June as National Fatherless Children’s Day and ident…