September is the international month for the deaf. The theme for 2013 is Equality for Deaf People.

The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) promotes awareness of deaf persons in South Africa, as well as equality for deaf people, amongst deaf people and promoted by deaf people. This theme brings us together to recognise our contributions to domestic and global prosperity, to secure the human rights of all deaf people, and to prepare our deaf community for challenges in the future.

This theme will celebrate the linguistic, artistic, social, political and cultural contributions and accomplishments of deaf people. It will strengthen DeafSA to work towards the recognition of South African sign language as the 12th official language and the rights of deaf people in South Africa. It will prepare us to look towards the future with a clear vision and renewed capacity for positive change in local communities. It will draw us together in renewed appreciation of our common heritage, common challenges and common aspirations.

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organisation representing approximately 70 million deaf people worldwide.