Panaji, Goa: Goa is set to host a major week-long gathering of the Deaf and sign language community from 5 to 11 October 2026, bringing together Deaf leaders, youth and women representatives, sign language interpreters and organisations from across Asia.
Participants from India, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Bhutan, Laos, Mongolia, Thailand and Nepal are expected to participate in the various programmes.
The major programmes include the 12th WFDRSA Youth Camp, the Deaf Asia Conference, the 38th WFDRSA Representative Meeting, the 15th WFDRSA Youth Section Representative Meeting, the 1st WFDRSA Women Section Representative Meeting and the WASLI Asia Conference 2026.
The 12th WFDRSA Youth Camp, from 5 to 9 October, will provide young Deaf participants with opportunities for leadership development, exchange of ideas, discussions on issues affecting Deaf youth and regional networking.
From 9 to 11 October, 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 1st WFDRSA Women Section Representative Meeting will provide an important platform to strengthen the participation and leadership of Deaf women at the Asian level.
India will host these prestigious regional Deaf and sign language gatherings for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the Deaf movement and sign language community in the country.
The programmes are being organised by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of Goa, in association with the All India Federation of the Deaf (AIFD) and the Goa Association of the Deaf.
Goa was selected as the host in view of its growing work in accessibility and inclusion, including initiatives such as Purple Fest, along with its tourism infrastructure and connectivity.
Inclusive Run
As part of the week-long programme, an Inclusive Run will be held on 11 October 2026 at Miramar Circle, Goa, jointly organised with the Rotary Club of Bardez Coastal.
The run will feature 3 km, 5 km and 7 km categories, bringing together persons with disabilities, Deaf participants, families, community members and the general public. It will promote inclusion, accessibility, participation and equal opportunity, while creating greater public awareness about the Deaf community.
The Inclusive Run will serve as the public culmination of the week-long gatherings, carrying the message of unity, inclusion and equal participation beyond the conference venues and into the wider community.
The week-long programme is expected to strengthen Deaf leadership and regional cooperation, empower youth and women, promote sign language development and interpreter education, and increase visibility of Deaf culture, identity and accessibility.
The hosting of these events in Goa marks an important step towards strengthening the voice, leadership and rights of Deaf people in India and across Asia, while reinforcing Goa’s commitment to building an inclusive and accessible society.
