Sandra Santiago (photo) was born in the Brazilian city of Recife in 1967 and lives in João Pessoa, the capital of the state of Paraíba. She has been an active member of the Spiritist Movement for many years and is the current coordinator of a study group that focuses on Libras (Brazilian sign language). She has an academic background in Education and has stressed the importance of inclusion in Spiritism, as she explains in the following interview:

How did you come into contact with Spiritism?

When I was still a child, my father used to talk to me about Spiritism. He never took me to any Spiritist Centre and I don’t remember seeing him attending any meetings. But he had a good understanding of its philosophical aspects and that encouraged me to read the works of Allan Kardec and those written by the medium, Chico Xavier. As a teenager, my interest grew, I read more and eventually began attending the meetings at FEP, the Pernambuco state Spiritist Federation. Little by little, I found myself more attached to Spiritism.

As an interpreter of Libras sign language, what do you think Spiritism needs to do to encourage inclusion?

There are still many challenges to be dealt with, even though we have already made progress. We need, firstly, to understand and put into practice the Gospel of Jesus. That means offering all we have available to everyone, without creating barriers that will restrict the participation of anyone. There are many barriers we still need to address in order to improve access and inclusion: barriers in the architecture of our buildings, our attitudes, in our means of communication etc.

What advice would you give to a Spiritist Centre willing to introduce sign language to its events and activities in general?

Many procedures need to be implemented. But, as a general piece of advice, I encourage directors firstly to check among their volunteers and people who attend their meeting regularly if there is anyone who knows sign language. These people can be the first ones to get involved in a project that will benefit our deaf brothers and sisters. They can also ask for advice and support from specialists.

Gradually, you will need to offer sign language courses for volunteer workers, so that everyone involved in the Spiritist Centre can become an agent in this process of inclusion. That’s why it’s important that everywhere inside the Centre – in the bookshop, in the canteen, in public meetings, in the healing room – there must be someone who is able to communicate with deaf people without the need to call an interpreter.

Finally, we must raise awareness amongst all Spiritists to their need to get fully engaged in this process. After all, Christ came for everyone and never accepted or rejected anyone based on a condition they might have had.

I make a special appeal to public speakers in general and those hosting any activities in Spiritist Centres. They must cooperate with interpreters, who will need support, as this is a new task for most of them. They will need early access to written material, if possible, as that will help them prepare for the talk or lecture and will help communication.

If we understand the message of Christ, we will definitely work to achieve inclusion in the Spiritist Movement, overcoming all challenges and obstacles and growing together.

What feedback have you received from deaf people?

Many deaf people are interested in Spiritism and are willing to learn, contribute and participate. But they feel they are excluded from Spiritism in the different locations where the Teachings are debated and where regular activities are held. Only a few Spiritist Centres provide an interpreter for them. And in many cases, when they are available, sign language interpreters not allowed to take part in all events and activities.

When we fail to respect language and part of the identity of a person, we simply deny their presence in the world. It is very sad when we see that happening in Spiritism, which in its core embraces, defends and expands on the Gospel of Jesus. Let’s make a difference if we really want to see the transition of the Earth from a planet of trials of tribulations to one of regeneration – its next phase. The time has come for that!

How does the knowledge of Spiritism help you in your professional activities, in the area of inclusive education?

It makes it clear for me that the biggest example of inclusion we have is Jesus, especially when I remember, every day, that we are not permanently this or that. So we can’t label people normal or abnormal, capable or incapable, able or disabled. That goes directly against the teachings of the Gospel. We are, in fact, living, or going through some situations thanks to a rational and sensible decision by the Creator. That decision allows us to learn and develop by seeing the world through different perspectives. Therefore, what we are not able to understand or realise we should respect and embrace in other people. It will eventually come to us. That will help promote our spiritual awakening and to love without differentiation.

Your final thoughts, please.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to speak about inclusion. And I urge directors of Spiritist Centres, public speakers and all volunteer workers to feel that each one of them is also responsible for the success of this process of inclusion. After all, inclusion is a form of unconditional love for all our brothers and sisters, in accordance with the example set by Our Master Jesus.