Manifesto

«Soy Signante» — For the universal right to communication and the recognition of signing people

We, the founders, families, allied organisations, professionals, and community members who make up this movement, raise our voices through this manifesto to call for a society that is fully inclusive, accessible, and free of communication barriers.

Therefore, we proclaim and demand the following guiding principles:

1. Heritage, Creation, and Legitimacy of the Deaf Community

We deeply respect Sign Language as an invaluable, living, and dynamic heritage. We recognise that it stems from the effort, resilience, and historical work of Deaf people, who have created, preserved, and handed it down from generation to generation, standing today as a cultural and linguistic heritage for the whole of society, shared and expanded across the wider signing community.

2. A Living, Flexible Language with Access to Visual and Signing Culture

We understand Sign Language not as a rigid or static code, but as a living, organic, and constantly evolving language. It is a complete, rich, and deeply flexible means of expression that adapts to changing realities and human needs. Furthermore, we maintain that building a strong identity requires not only access to the language itself, but also guaranteed access to its culture and the artistic, social, and visual forms of expression inherently linked to sign language.

3. Inclusion and Access Free from Exclusionary Diagnoses

We uphold that the right to communicate and use Sign Language must not be conditioned or limited by exclusionary medical diagnoses. We assert that everyone, regardless of background or condition, has the legitimate right to sign and to receive the necessary support resources on an entirely equal footing.

4. Warning Against the Severity of Language Deprivation

We highlight and denounce the extreme gravity of the language deprivation currently suffered by both deaf people and non-speaking individuals. This situation strikes a severe blow against the fundamental right to communication and accessibility, caused by failing to ensure full access to spoken language while not providing sign language as a complete, natural option. We warn that deprivation of a complete language causes profound behavioural difficulties, cognitive development issues, and challenges in identity formation and self-esteem for those affected.

5. Call to Authorities and Organisations

We urge public authorities, educational institutions, social organisations, and relevant stakeholders nationwide to:

• Formally recognise signing people beyond traditional medical or diagnostic criteria.
• Expand resources and support from signing professionals and specialists in schools, leisure centres, and community spaces.
• Sign and endorse this manifesto to ensure that communicative accessibility becomes a mainstream, mandatory reality across the country.