The purposes of this article are to discuss the assistance to deaf people in the health area as a factor of social inclusion; to investigate with the deaf how the link with health workers is established; and to verify the deaf people's perception of the presence of sign language interpreters when they get health assistance. This is a descriptive and analytical survey with a qualitative approach carried out at a special school in Goiânia. The sample was comprised of 20 deaf students, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. It was verified that the link is established when health workers are able to communicate with the deaf. The inclusion of the deaf in the health services is an evidence of difficulties in communication. It was concluded that the professional-client relationship must be improved, that the link occurs when the client feels himself/herself understood, and that the presence of an interpreter improves but is not enough to ensure the inclusion of the deaf.
Hearing impaired persons; Professional-patient relations; Sign language; Delivery of health care