EXPLORATORY STUDY ON INCLUSIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR THE DEAF IN BRAZIL: LEGISLATION AND IMPLEMENTATION DIFFICULTIES

Abstract

This article performs a bibliographical research focused on inclusive special education for the deaf in Brazil. Conducting this research is extremely important because it brings knowledge that contributes a lot to society in terms of human rights, democracy and inclusion of diversity. The degrees of hearing impairment are classified into: i) normal hearing; ii) mild hearing loss; iii) moderate hearing loss; iv) severe hearing loss; and finally, v) profound hearing loss. Inclusive education in Brazil started in 1857, even with later advances, there are still many obstacles in the scope of inclusive special education learning. With the Brazilian Constitution of 1988, Brazil opened up to democratic and inclusive ideas and, thus, from the 1990s onwards other relevant measures of inclusive special education emerged in Brazil. There is a need for more efficient special educational policies, preparing teachers, educators and society with quality knowledge, taking into account all individual differences. We can see the legal existence of provisions that regulate the social protection of deaf individuals in Brazil from the intention of an inclusive education, however, it is also perceived the difficulty of implementing effective policies for inclusion.