In the past, people with disabilities were on the margins of society, excluded or isolated in specialised institutions. In the case of deaf people, it took many years before they won the right to communicate using signs and to have their own language recognised. Inclusion is a phenomenon that emerged as a result of many struggles on behalf of people with disabilities and has brought about a new paradigm for the actions of society and public authorities. Several laws in Brazil support people with disabilities today and are the result of discussions that include the educational field.