Abstract
In Brazil, many deaf students included in the regular school system do not reach secondary level education. In order to help teachers relate to their experiences of inclusion, we produced a twelve minute animated video called "Teacher, this is your deaf student speaking". This film was based on images produced by a group of deaf children, illustrating accounts made by deaf adolescents who were interviewed about their experiences with inclusion. The students reveal how they felt confused and left out, they compare teachers as to their teaching strategies, they talk about their difficulties with language in the classroom context and state the importance of sign language. They also show how helpful friends and family members can be in their coping at school. One thousand copies of the film were produced and distributed to as many schools in the states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais. Based on the film, teachers were asked to respond to a questionnaire, evaluating the film and stating their attitudes towards sign language and inclusion. The results show the film was instrumental in helping teachers relate to the deaf student's experiences. There is great need for support and information, if the deaf are to succeed in regular schools.
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