Using a Low-Cost Playful Strategy to Present Sign Language on Non-Formal Educational Spaces

Abstract

Deaf community has struggled worldwide to have sign language (SL) accepted and recognized as their native language. Despite the importance of SL for deaf people education, when it comes to non-formal spaces, it is mostly ignored. Unfortunately deafness is sometimes seen as an “ invisible ” health condition with no urgent need to be attended. In this work we described a low cost playful strategy that uses adapted games to present SL in non-formal spaces. Thus, we adapted two known games (hopscotch and memory game) to approach scientific themes through using Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) as the public may quick and easily learn these signs. The material was tested with the visitors of the Brazilian itinerant scientific museum center Ciências sob Tendas ( Science under Tents —CST) in eight different small Brazilian cities. By targeting the use of LIBRAS through brief interaction among visitors and CST mediators, the memory game with scientific figures (e . g. microscope) and the hopscotch made of a plastic carpet with animal photos attracted the audience attention and curiosity about SL, and deaf culture. Based on these data, we suggest that this strategy may act as an initial presentation not only for the visitors but also for the non-formal spaces mediators and directors. The material may be constructed based on any non-formal space themes, also helping on explaining the place for deafpeople. Therefore it may promote the knowledge about and for deaf community on these so important educational places. Finally, by using sign language, non-formal spaces may promote and contribute to awareness about deaf socio-educational needs to the whole society in an extent that formal places cannot do.