INSTITUTO MÃOS DE OURO: Teaching Libras to Deaf and Hearing Children in Breves, Pará.

Abstract

This article presents the actions of the Instituto Mãos de Ouro in Breves, Pará, focused on teaching Libras, with the goal of reducing the marginalization of deaf children in accessing education. Additionally, it analyzes the importance of deaf culture and identity within the local community, exploring the relationship between deaf culture and hearing culture, while contextualizing the rights of deaf individuals over time.This population has faced denial of rights and has historically been controlled by aristocracies that did not recognize their needs. The lack of representation led to the formation of groups that fought for fundamental rights, including the valorization of sign language, which is essential for communication and the expression of deaf identity. The study, with a qualitative and bibliographic approach inspired by ethnography, focused on deaf students at the Instituto Mãos de Ouro. The research utilized methods such as participant observation, field diaries, and photographs to collect data.The results indicated that the cultural artifacts of deaf individuals, such as sign language and visual arts, are not adequately addressed in the analyzed school. This highlights the need for a more attentive approach to the inclusion and valorization of deaf cultural expressions in the educational environment. The work aims to demystify prejudiced paradigms and promote a broader understanding of education for the deaf, emphasizing the importance of an approach that respects and values the culture and identity of this community.