"Emphasize sign language as a critical prerequisite to the full realization of human rights for deaf people. Early access to sign language and services in it (sign language), including quality education available in sign it, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals," stated the WFD on its website.

The theme of the IDSL decided by the United Nations this year is "With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!" and the recommended hashtags for both the IDSL and IWDeaf are:#IWDeaf2018. A call has been made to recognise the sign languages as equal to spoken languages by treating it as a natural language that is structurally distinct from spoken languages.

On the occasion of IDSL, the WFD has urged, "Reach out to and influence as many governments as possible to legally fulfil their obligations. Promote deaf people as unique in having both perspectives of disability and linguistic minority and that sign language and deaf culture strengthens multilingualism and are means of promoting, protecting, and preserving diversity of languages and cultures globally."

In India, various important disability acts have been as follows: the Mental Health Act (1987) and the Person with Disabilities Act (1995) besides the establishment of institution through Acts such as the Rehabilitation Council of India (1992) and the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities Act (1999). Also, there exists the document on 'Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons' which as legal importance.