About

Mission Statement

The Irish Deaf Society seeks to achieve and promote the Equality and Rights of Deaf people in Ireland. On the grounds of the Irish Constitution and Human Rights and international legislation, the ambition of full access to citizenship and society is sought through the empowerment and mobilisation of the Deaf community. With an awareness of their identity and their rights as individuals, Deaf people in Ireland are enabled to celebrate their culture and continue to ensure the upholding of Irish Sign Language recognition and break down the barriers of discrimination.

The core values of the Irish Deaf Society are:

Irish Sign Language (ISL)

Deaf people have the right to use ISL as their primary language, enriched with Deaf culture, where linguistic oppression must be a thing of the past.

Human Rights

Deaf people have the right to live as equal citizens on par with hearing people. Discrimination, which is violation of their rights, is illegal.

Education

Deaf children have the right to be educated in ISL in a bi-lingual environment and Deaf people have the right to full access to all third level institutions.

Social inclusion

The provision of qualified ISL interpreters must be utilised, which would enable Deaf people to independently access and participate within the public domain in society.

Equal opportunities

Deaf people have the right to equal employment opportunities on both a management and professional level.

Quality Living conditions

Deaf people have the right to equitable living standards as the rest of society, where nothing hinders their participation.

Families

Families of Deaf children have the right to receive comprehensive Information with access to the Deaf Community, its culture and language.

Empowerment

Deaf people have the right to represent the Deaf Community on a local level.

Social and political partnership

The government and state agencies must involve Deaf people and Deaf-led organisations in the community, education, health, legal and social fields.