What is communicational accessibility for deaf people at events?

When we talk about accessibility, many people still think only about ramps, elevators, or automatic captions. But for the deaf community, accessibility needs to be thought of from the perspective of communication.

In this text, we will explain what communicational accessibility is, why it is essential at events, the most common mistakes, and how to ensure that deaf people can participate fully, respectfully, and representatively.

What is communication accessibility at events?

Communicational accessibility ensures that all people can understand and interact with the available information, respecting their forms of communication. For deaf people, this involves much more than simply having an interpreter on stage.

It is necessary to consider sign language (Libras) as its own language, respect deaf culture, understand visual communication as part of the experience, and create spaces where communication happens naturally and fairly.

It starts with how the event is planned, the choice of professionals who will interpret, the materials that will be shared, and how the audience is welcomed.

Comunication accessibility is a right.

Brazilian legislation recognizes the importance of Libras and accessibility for deaf people in various areas of life, including culture, leisure, and information. Here are some laws that guarantee this right:

• Law 10,436 of 2002 recognizes Libras as a legal means of communication;

• Decree 5,626 of 2005 mandates the use of Libras in public and cultural spaces;

• The Brazilian Inclusion Law (13,146 of 2015) ensures communicational accessibility as part of social inclusion;

  • The Federal Constitution guarantees equality, access to leisure, culture, and communication.
    

In other words, ensuring communicational accessibility for deaf people is not an extra. It is a legal and social duty.

What is still missing in many events?

Even with laws and information available, it is still common to find events that make serious mistakes. Some of the main problems are:

• Sign language interpreters placed in spots with poor visibility;

• Professionals without proper technical training to handle cultural and artistic contexts;

• Poorly done or improvised translations;

• Lack of sign language materials before the event takes place;

• Teams made up entirely of hearing people making decisions about accessibility for deaf people.
  

These mistakes discourage the deaf audience and show that there is still a lack of understanding about what truly means to be accessible.

The curation needs to be done with deaf people.

It’s not enough to just hire sign language interpreters if their selection is done without listening to and involving the deaf community.

The curation of communicational accessibility must be carried out with the direct participation of deaf people. They know how to evaluate if the professional has the right profile, if communication is flowing well, and if the approach respects the culture and visual experience of their people.

Furthermore, having deaf people as part of the production team also contributes to more authentic, representative, and sensitive communication from the very beginning.

Why does this matter?

Because no one wants to be in a space where they don’t understand what’s happening. When a deaf person can follow a show, a performance, or a discussion circle in sign language, with quality and visibility, they feel that the place belongs to them too.

Communicational accessibility creates experiences that welcome, connect, and empower. It transforms the event into a space of belonging.

What Euforie-se believes

Euforie-se was born as a festival created by deaf people, putting identity, culture, and visual language at the center of everything. From this experience, we understand that communicational accessibility cannot be thought of superficially or technically. It needs to be built with dialogue, sensitivity, and representativeness.

We continue to believe that accessibility is part of creation, not just execution. That’s why we keep reinforcing this conversation so that more and more events become spaces where communication truly includes everyone.

If you produce events, shows, or festivals and want to start understanding how to make your spaces more accessible for deaf people, keep following the Euforie-se blog. Soon we will share tips, experiences, and guidelines to turn accessibility into real practice.

Change starts with those willing to listen with their eyes and act with respect. Watch the content in Libras 🡣

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