The occupational health of the sign language translator: fragilities, challenges and possibilities

This study aimed to investigate aspects associated to the quality of life and work conditions of the Sign Language Translator Interpreter (SLTI) at teaching institutions of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The presence of this professional at teaching institutions is a public policy that arose from social and political movements to fill the gap of communication between the Deaf and the non-Deaf. This is a qualitative research of the descriptive kind. Our participants were ten SLTIs from the city of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. These workers answered to a general health survey form (F36) and to a semi structured interview. Results pointed to several issues related to their professional practice, such as: compromise of their physical and mental health due to repetitive strain injuries during long-term interpretation; absence of rotation; large number of Deaf per room; presence of constant pain when interpreting; lack of support from professionals at the institutions when they worked. Thus, adoption of novel professional habits as to not further compromise the injuries caused are essential as preventive measures for this group of professionals, supporting the implementation and implementation of public policies that advocate care and guidance for the preservation of the health of the SLTI professional.