Socioemotional Implications on Deaf Students in the Context of the Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant changes in interpersonal relationships. For deaf people, before the pandemic, communication barriers and lack of accessibility were already proving effective forms of social isolation. This research, organized as a study of multiple cases, intends to highlight through testimonials of deaf students, perceptions and reactions to the context of social distancing. Two data collection instruments were used: semi-structured interviews conducted via Google Meet, in Libras and a drawing as a complementary procedure, in which the students graphically represented the pandemic. The data analysis was performed in this interview/drawing relation and in the light of authors of the historical-cultural approach and the deafness area. This research offers ways to think about the risks of social distancing from the deaf, especially regarding to the socio-emotional state as an unfolding of the deprivation of contact between peers, difficulties of access to information and experiences with other signers.