Brussels Declaration
Facts about the 2010 Brussels Declaration
The 2010 Brussels Declaration on Sign Languages in the European Union is a document advocating the rights of Deaf people across Europe. It will hopefully be a useful tool in achieving equality for Deaf people.
On 19 November 2010, the EUD and Dr Adam Kosa, MEP from European People’s Party have organised a very successful conference at the European Parliament. The title of the conference was “Implementation of Sign Language Legislation”.
At the end of the conference, the Brussels Declaration was signed by representatives of all National Associations of the Deaf in the EU and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
With the Brussels Declaration, the EUD and its members call the EU and its Member States:
- To recognise the national sign languages on an equal footing with the respective spoken languages of the Member States.
- Sign language tuition is provided to family members to ensure the Deaf or Hard of Hearing’s child full participation in family life.
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing sign language users have the right to learn a sign language.
- Sign language users have access to public services in their national sign language.
- To secure equal opportunities by providing accessible educational options for sign language users.
- To actively support the use of sign languages.
- To provide sign language interpretation services.
You can also read the full version of the 2010 Brussels Declaration in English written language here.
