New York. Tanzania has joined global efforts to support a United Nations resolution that seeks to designate June 27 as International Deafblind Day, aiming to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by people living with combined visual and hearing disabilities.
The resolution, listed as A/79/L.92, is being spearheaded by the Permanent Mission of Croatia to the UN alongside several co-sponsoring countries, including Tanzania. The proposal will be voted on by the UN General Assembly on June 16, 2025, in New York.
Speaking at a side event on June 12 during the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CoSP18), Tanzania’s Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Advocate Amon Mpanju, emphasized Tanzania's commitment to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.
“We thank the Permanent Mission of Croatia and all co-sponsors for collaborating with Tanzania to bring forward this important agenda. Recognizing June 27 will create an opportunity to increase global understanding of the unique difficulties experienced by deafblind persons,” said Mr Mpanju, who is leading Tanzania’s delegation to the meeting.
He stressed that formal recognition of the day would strengthen global efforts to promote the inclusion, empowerment, and equal access to services for persons with deafblindness, just as for other groups within the disability community.
According to Mr Mpanju, observing the day will also boost initiatives at national, regional, and international levels to train professionals such as tactile language interpreters, educators, and healthcare providers equipped to serve this group effectively.
This, he said, would improve access to social services through appropriate and friendly communication methods and tools.
Christopher Woodfill, a member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of the Deafblind, said people living with deafblindness experience complex challenges that are often overlooked across many sectors. He noted that they fall under both the deaf and blind communities, yet their distinct needs frequently remain unaddressed.
“The establishment of this day will encourage governments and stakeholders to collect accurate data on the actual number of deafblind individuals,” Mr Woodfill said, adding that such information is critical for developing inclusive policies and tailored interventions that address their specific needs.
The global vote on June 16 will determine whether June 27 will officially become International Deafblind Day, marking a significant step toward greater recognition and support for millions of people worldwide living with the dual disability.