Surdos/as que se constroem surdos/as: o despontar do Movimento linguístico-cultural surdo na cidade de Cajazeiras/PB

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the emergence of the Deaf Movement in the city of Cajazeiras, in the state of Paraiba, Brazil, based on initiatives carried out before, during and after the movement called Setembro Azul (Blue September), a movement known nationally as an aggregator of the Daf community. Through action research, as a research-intervention process, it was possible to hold the first Setembro Azul in 2015 in Cajazeiras. Therefore, the event had two purposes: to serve as an object of research, and to encourage Deaf people to organize themselves around their linguistic-cultural rights. The specific objectives were: to verify participants' perceptions about their inclusion processes; to identify their forms of communication - whether by LIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language) or by spontaneous gestures; and to evaluate the status given to LIBRAS by the Deaf, observing theoretical categories such as culture, identity and difference. Therefore, the theoretical scope of this dissertation is in the field of Cultural Studies in Education, which seeks to shift the discussion of minorities from the margins to the center, focusing on differences as a central category for re-signification of social and school practices. Data generated through systematic observation of the moments involving Setembro Azul/2015, and by discussions in a focus group showed that the first contacts with sign language occurred in the special school, an opportunity interrupted when the school was closed. The Deaf people of Cajazeiras/PB are in the process of building their Deaf Identities, a fact evidenced by their desire to be together with their peers, the founding of a Deaf Association, and the invitation to isolated Deaf persons to join the group. Regarding the right to education, their demands are: the creation of a Bilingual School, where LIBRAS is the First Language enabling interaction among Deaf people, students and teachers; and the availability of interpreters in various public spaces.