Tribunal de Contas da União
TCU’s Office of the Ombudsman offers sign language services to deaf or hard of hearing citizens
The inclusion of this new solution is in line with a global movement to increase access to services. It results in a mechanism to strengthen citizenship and promote equal opportunity to all citizens and to comply with the requirements of the Brazilian Law on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
The service can be provided in person or remotely, according to the applicant's needs.
To make it available, usability tests were carried out both virtual and in-person. Both tests allowed the improvement of the procedures, thus enabling the provision of a good service.
The Court has long been making efforts to promote improved accessibility for both its personnel and all Brazilian citizens. According to the Advisory Office for Inclusion and Accessibility under the General Secretariat of the Presidency (Segepres), this is a significant initiative for the Court to increase its actions aimed at the inclusion of people with disabilities. It also complies with the Brazilian Inclusion Law's requirements and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which, by the way, has constitutional status. By providing this service, the Office of the Ombudsman will be accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing on an equal basis with everyone else.