In celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23, communities across Canada lit up their landmarks and buildings in blue, a powerful color symbolizing unity, visibility, and pride in the Deaf community.

This initiative is part of the Blue Light campaign, launched by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), to raise awareness about the importance of sign languages and to recognize the rights, identity, and culture of Deaf people around the world. The campaign began in 2019, and the color blue holds significant meaning for Deaf communities, symbolizing sign languages, Deafhood, unity, and pride. Lighting landmarks in blue honors the founding of the WFD in 1951 and continues to symbolize solidarity and recognition for the global Deaf community.

Click here for more information about International Day of Sign Languages and World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).

Below is a collection of images from various provinces across Canada, each one a glowing tribute to the beauty and significance of sign languages and the Deaf community.

Toronto

Calgary