BRIEF CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGN LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETERS PRESENCE IN ATTENDING DEAF TEENAGER LAWBREAKERS: A BRAZILIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

During the appliance of social-educational measurements on teenager lawbreakers, it is essential to be able to evaluate their evolution and personal development. For a positive follow-up it is necessary the involvement of these adolescents, their family and the team of the unit that attend them. On that purpose these actors should be able to communicate extensively among themselves. This is mainly due to the fact that it is necessary to identify the circumstances that led the teenager to commit the infraction. Based on this knowledge, the guidelines and interventions can be planned to lead the teenager to reflect about his/her actions. In Brazil, the legislation advocates the rights and duties for adolescents and defines Communication as the way that the Brazilian citizens interact with each other, whether through the use of languages, including sign language, and/or other forms (eg. Braille, signaling system or tactile communication). The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of the use of sign language and interpreters when attending deaf teenager lawbreakers or those in which parents or legal guardians are deaf in order to allow the safe and successful return of these teenagers back to the society.