A Contratação do Intérprete de Língua Gestual Portuguesa nas Escolas Públicas

Abstract

This article features and analyses the view of some Portuguese sign language interpreters regarding the school hiring applications based on the ruling laws and the implications in the admission access. The process was based on two focus groups consisting of Portuguese sign language interpreters who worked or had worked at bilingual education reference schools for deaf students, before and after the implementation of the law number 132/2012. The survey stresses the main results concerning the hiring recruitment process of these technicians and their functions at the schools referred to above, as well as the impact of the criteria ambiguity imposed by the schools, the preparation of a countless number of portfolios and interviews which lead to an assigned classification. The testimonials show the difficulties felt by the Portuguese sign language interpreters and their expectations for equitable applications and selection. As the responsibility of the candidates’ selection comes from the schools management departments, this study aims to contribute for the reflection and the controversies linked to these applications in order to promote an efficient hiring system.