Deadly silence: the (lack of) access to information by deaf Brazilians in the context of Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Although Brazilian Sign Language - Libras - was legally recognized in 2002 as the national language for deaf people, their access to interpreted information (i.e., information in their own language), especially in the media, is still very precarious. In the context of the pandemic, having access to information and guidance in one’s first language can be decisive in caring for and maintaining life. With this in mind, this paper aims at pointing out the barriers experienced by deaf people in Brazil, considering the absence of Brazilian Sign Language translators and interpreters in mainstream journalism and in channels of organizations that are responsible for explanations and guidelines regarding care and prevention. We also seek to reflect about the socio-emotional effects caused by the lack of clear information, and how this may risk causing excessive concern and panic. In order to achieve that, we adopt a qualitative perspective of investigation stemming from the collection of testimonies from deaf people about their experiences in the context of the pandemic. The testimonials, collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire, allowed us to point out the urgency for greater accessibility in the media context, and the risks resulting from the absence of accurate information both for deaf and hearing people.

Disability inclusion in the Brazilian health system: results of a health system assessment

“…In terms of information accessibility, the Ministry of Health website offers some accessibility features including high-contrast or automatic sign language interpretation and easy read text for some materials. Specifically for COVID-19, while some online information and guidelines were provided in accessible formats, concerns were also raised about the lack of accessible information 20,21 . Qualitative data, collected as part of our wider study, highlighted information barriers particularly for people with visual impairment; for example, medication information that is not available in Braille prevents checking of expiry dates.…”

“…However, this was likely insufficient; concerns were raised about difficulties faced by deaf people accessing needed information. People with disabilities fared worse in many aspects during the pandemic, including in Brazil, 21,[30][31][32] it is essential to learn from this and ensure that disabled people are represented in development and implementation of future disaster preparedness plans. Disability-disaggregated health data are critical for identifying inequalities, stimulating action and monitoring impact.…”