The first official International Day of Deafblindness was observed on June 27, 2025, marking the birth anniversary of Helen Keller.

The day aims to raise global awareness about the unique challenges faced by deafblind individuals and to promote inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for this distinct disability group.

Key Points:

• The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on June 16, 2025, officially designating June 27 as the International Day of Deafblindness to commemorate Helen Keller’s legacy.
• The 2025 observance falls within Deafblind Awareness Week (June 23–29), themed “Cultivating Leadership: Together We Grow,” encouraging leadership among the deafblind community.
• Deafblindness is a unique condition involving combined vision and hearing loss, which requires tailored communication methods and support systems.
• Helen Keller, born June 27, 1880, was the first deafblind person to earn a university degree and became a global icon for disability rights, peace, and gender equality.
• The World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), along with countries like Croatia, Germany, and Jordan, led the global campaign for the UN recognition of this day, emphasizing inclusive development and policy attention.