Acessibilidade para surdos, na cibercultura: os cotidianos nas redes e na educação superior online

Abstract

In the present sociotechnical scenario, with the expansion of the digital network technologies, new cultural space-times are forming. Cyberculture has enabled and improved other practices of valorization and participation of individuals who can now mainly produce content and information. Even in platforms which have not been developed and prepared for Internet access of deaf netizens, they are expending their tactics of users and participating and creating in the networks. This has favored the inclusion in several areas of people with disabilities, among them higher education. In line with the principles of inclusive education, Brazilian law guarantees the right of deaf students to receive teaching in their first language, and provides that the suitable education conditions are assured, including higher education, orthodox teaching or on-line learning. Considering the diversity inside-outside school, and bearing in mind that access to education, information and communication are an inherent right of all individuals, we deal in our research with the legal, technological and pedagogical aspects that are connected with our quest to ensure accessibility to online higher education for a deaf student. With the assumptions of the multifaceted approach (Ardoino), the research-training (Macedo, Santos, Josso) and research in/for/with everyday lives (Certeau, Alves, Oliveira), our research addresses the principles of accessibility and web usability (Ferreira and Nunes), as well virtual learning environments. We track over two semesters a deaf (and with low vision) student whose were registered in the Pedagogy course at distance of State University of Rio de Janeiro s School of Education, in partnership with the Consortium Cederj. Our research aims to answer, among other questions: How to make on-line graduation accessible for deaf students? What are the necessary adaptations to promote the effective inclusion of deaf people in virtual learning environments, beyond the simple translation of teaching materials and promoting online education? As a result, we show some of the obstacles faced for the effective inclusion of this student; his tactics to overcome those barriers, and suggestions of online interfaces, content and learning situations for accessible instructional design in virtual learning environments.