THE FRAGILITY OF THE JUDICIARY FOR THE DEAF IN THE STATE OF TOCANTINS

Abstract

Access to justice for the deaf can be affected by a number of challenges, including: communication barriers, complexity of legal procedures, costs, lack of sensitivity of legal professionals to deaf culture and the specific needs of the deaf community, lack of access to legal information, etc. This study aimed to discuss accessibility for the deaf in the Judiciary. To better understand this matter, this discussion was limited to the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins. The methodology used was a systematic review of the literature, based on scientific articles, books, periodicals, case law and current legislation on the respective topic. Data collection was carried out using databases such as Scielo, Google Scholar, among others, from 2019 to 2024. The results showed that in the state of Tocantins, the fragility of the state's Judiciary for the deaf is a critical issue that involves communication barriers, lack of accessibility, and the absence of qualified professionals to adequately serve this population. Given this scenario, it is understood that it is essential to invest in the professionalization of Libras-Portuguese interpreters, as well as in the training of these professionals, so that they can act competently in the Judiciary of Tocantins. This is essential to ensure access to justice for deaf people, breaking down language barriers, and promoting the inclusion and accessibility of deaf people within the legal sphere.