Dubai is preparing to come together for a powerful cause this January — inclusion through communication.
On January 21, 2026, the city will host what is expected to be the world’s largest virtual sign language class, an online event designed to raise awareness about sign language and improve accessibility for people with hearing impairments.
Organised by the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, the initiative is part of the wider Dubai Communicates in Sign Language campaign. It brings residents, institutions, students, and organisations from across the globe onto a single platform — all learning the same language, at the same time.
For Dubai, a city known for big ideas and bigger ambitions, this is not just about setting records. It is about changing mindsets.
importance of this event in dubai
Dubai has long positioned itself as a city built for everyone. From accessible metro stations to inclusive education policies, the emirate continues to expand what accessibility looks like in daily life.
This virtual sign language class is another step in that direction.
The initiative was launched in October 2025 by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination. Since then, it has focused on one clear goal: making sign language a familiar, everyday skill rather than a specialised one.
In a city where millions interact daily — at malls, government counters, workplaces, cafés, and schools — communication matters. And when communication becomes inclusive, communities become stronger.
Moving Beyond Awareness to Everyday Action
While many campaigns focus on awareness, this one is practical.
Participants will not just listen or observe. They will learn, sign and will take away skills that can be used immediately in real-life situations.
From greeting someone at work to assisting a customer or neighbour, even basic sign language can make a meaningful difference. For residents living in a fast-paced city like Dubai, these small actions help build a more thoughtful and welcoming environment.
The virtual format also removes barriers. Anyone can join — whether they are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or watching from abroad.
Promoting Emirati Sign Language
A key focus of the event is Emirati Sign Language, an important yet often overlooked part of the UAE’s cultural fabric.
Just like spoken language, sign language carries identity, context, and heritage. Emirati Sign Language reflects local expressions, cultural cues, and ways of communication that are unique to the UAE.
By encouraging people to learn and use it, the initiative helps preserve this form of communication while making public and private services more accessible for the deaf community.
It also sends a strong message: inclusion does not mean replacing identity. It means respecting it.
A Guinness World Record With Purpose
The CDA aims to set a Guinness World Record with the largest number of participants attending a virtual sign language class.
But the record attempt is only one part of the story.
The real impact lies in participation. Schools encouraging students to join. Companies involving employees. Families learning together at home. Institutions making inclusion part of their culture rather than a checkbox.
Dubai has always understood the power of collective action. This event uses that same energy to spotlight accessibility and human connection.
Aligned With Dubai Social Agenda 33
The initiative directly supports the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which prioritises social development, empowerment, and quality of life for People of Determination.
Under this long-term vision, Dubai continues to introduce programmes that go beyond infrastructure and policy — focusing instead on people, dignity, and equal opportunity.
According to Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, hosting the world’s largest virtual sign language class reflects the UAE’s deeply rooted commitment to building an inclusive society.
It also reinforces Dubai’s ambition to be a city where everyone feels seen, heard, and understood — regardless of ability.
How Residents and Institutions Can Participate
The virtual class is open to individuals and organisations worldwide. Participants can register through the official CDA platform, where joining instructions and event details are provided.
No prior knowledge of sign language is required. The session is designed to be simple, engaging, and accessible for first-time learners.
For Dubai residents, it is also a meaningful way to take part in a city-wide movement that blends learning with purpose — one of the more rewarding things to do this January.
A Conversation That Goes Beyond One Day
This event also connects with broader conversations happening across the UAE around accessibility, inclusive education, and equal participation in public life.
From government services to cultural events and workplaces, sign language is slowly becoming part of mainstream communication — and this initiative accelerates that shift.
As Dubai continues to grow as a global hub for travel, business, culture, and innovation, inclusion remains a defining value. Events like this ensure that progress is measured not just in numbers, but in human impact.
Dubai’s plan to host the world’s largest virtual sign language class is simple in concept, yet powerful in meaning.
It invites people to slow down, learn something new, and connect more thoughtfully with the community around them. It turns awareness into action and makes inclusion everyone’s responsibility.
And in a city that thrives on connection, that message matters.
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