On election night, Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., was full of energy as hundreds of students gathered to watch the election results. The student center was decorated with balloons, streamers, and flags. There were also fun images of the two candidates in sports scenes. Students and professors took part in discussions about politics, and the event marked the end of the intense election cycle. The University’s SignVote program aims to raise awareness on voting rights, voting process and civic engagement within the Deaf community. It started in August to encourage students to take part in the election process with a clear understanding of how their votes work and get them excited about voting.

Deaf beauty contestant Mia le Roux, who was set to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe finals pageant in Mexico last weekend, withdrew from the competition due to health concerns. The 28 year old made history in August as the first Deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, following a competition marred by controversy after one finalist dropped out amid online abuse over her Nigerian heritage. Le Roux had been in Mexico for weeks preparing for the pageant, where she was among 120 contestants vying for the title. In a statement, the Miss South Africa organization expressed its full support for her, emphasizing that her health and well-being were their top priority.

Ukrainians in Estonia have called for the Russian film, titled “Deaf Lovers” to be removed from the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (TBNFF), which took place on November 8th to 24th. The TBNFF is a general hearing film festival that showcases a wide range of international films, including features, documentaries, and short films, and is open to all audiences, both hearing and Deaf. “Deaf Lovers” is a film about the complicated relationship between a Deaf Ukrainian female refugee and a Deaf Russian man during the ongoing Russo-Ukraine war. The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia (CUE) says the film promotes Russian propaganda and justifies Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The group argues that the film’s message, “love will conquer war,” is deeply offensive to Ukrainians, especially war refugees who have suffered violence and trauma. They also point out that the film pushes the idea of reconciliation between Ukraine and Russia, despite Russia’s ongoing war.

The Namibia National Deaf Federation is advocating for the recognition of Namibia Sign Language as an official language. Recently, a representative named Hashoongo made an announcement during International Sign Language Day as part of Deaf Awareness Month. They emphasized the urgent need to officially recognize Namibia Sign Language. The Deaf community feels that the government prioritizes funding for disabilities in general but neglects the specific needs of sign language. This has left the Deaf community feeling isolated and deprived of their social and linguistic rights. Without recognition of their language, they lack access to essential services, such as healthcare, police communication, and interpreters. This exclusion undermines their social power and basic human rights. 

The Community Empowerment Process Organization (CEPO) is collaborating with Light for the World to promote the use and importance of sign language in South Sudan. In Juba, they are fostering partnerships to address the communication challenges faced by Deaf individuals. This collaboration aims to empower the Deaf community by enhancing access to education and ensuring they feel fully included in society. The initiative includes setting up centers focused on sign language access, creating spaces where Deaf individuals can connect, learn, and thrive.