International Day of Sign Languages highlights urgent Bible need

International (MNN) — Today marks the International Day of Sign Languages, highlighting the importance of language access for Deaf communities. “There’s all kinds of situations where having access to your language, especially if it’s the only language that you know, is a really critical thing,” DOOR International’s Rob Myers says. Language makes communication and understanding possible. Imagine “being in the emergency room and not being able to communicate,” Myers says. Or, picture an everyday chore like “being at the grocery store” with limited ability to read signs or labels. “Many people don’t realize that there are over 300 sign languages globally,” Myers says, and “there can be multiple sign languages in one country.” The Deaf Flag is a powerful symbol for deaf communities, representing unity, recognition, and the ongoing fight for equal rights.(Photo, caption courtesy World Federation of the Deaf) Overall, the recognition of sign languages is growing, as noted here. ‘Even governments recognize that Deaf people need access to information, and that comes through their language,” Myers says. Today, of the world’s 195 countries, “84 of them now recognize sign language as one of the official languages of the country,” Myers notes. “That’s about 43% of those countries. Five or six years ago, that number was around 25%,” he continues. By comparison, only 37 countries, roughly 18%, recognized their national sign language as a legitimate language in 2018. For most children born Deaf, sign language becomes their first language and primary pathway to information – including Scripture. However, Myers says, “Only one sign language has a full Bible available, and that is in American Sign Language.” This lack of access leaves Deaf communities largely unreached, he adds. “There are around 70 million Deaf people worldwide, and less than 2% of those Deaf people know and follow Jesus. That creates a huge urgency as we’re trying to complete the Great Commission.” (Photo courtesy DOOR International) DOOR exists to bridge this gap. Learn more here. “Deaf people are most effectively reached by empowering, training, and launching other Deaf people (Deaf Christians) to go into these communities to serve as Deaf missionaries, to support Bible translation within the community, and to see Deaf leaders raised up,” Myers says. While Deaf believers should lead ministry in their own communities, hearing Christians also play an important supporting role. “The most effective way that you all can come alongside and partner with organizations like DOOR is through prayer and financial giving,” Myers says. Header image is a representative photo courtesy of DOOR International.