Video games as a tool for practicing autonomy and addressing challenges for the deaf

Abstract

Deafness, historically seen as a disability to be corrected, is redefined by the deaf community as a human difference, forming the basis of a unique cultural and linguistic identity. The objective of this study is to understand the experience of a deaf man and the possibility of peer communication through the use of video games as a mediating tool. This is a qualitative research, with a narrative context of lived experience and a focus on the experience itself. The study presents the experience of learning and communication built during the course of the gaming relationship, allowing for growth and motivating the individual to face the challenges imposed by each game level. It is concluded that video games, traditionally seen as mere entertainment, have become powerful tools for communication, socialization, and cultural affirmation for the deaf community.