Petrópolis has the first lottery outlet in the country with translation for the deaf.

Joãozinho Lottery, maintaining its tradition of being a pioneer, has been the first lottery outlet in the country since Thursday (the 19th) to offer simultaneous translation services in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) to its deaf customers, in partnership with ICOM, the Libras center of the Association of Friends of Metro Workers with Disabilities. “This is a dream come true. I've wanted to offer this service for a long time, but I only ever found avatars, and I believe that human interaction is the best way. That's why I researched for some time until I found the ICOM service, and I'm very satisfied,” stated Fátima Guimarães Sorsonas, owner of the lottery outlet.

For her, being the first lottery outlet to offer sign language interpretation for the deaf is a victory, but her wish is that it will encourage other outlets to install simultaneous sign language interpretation in their stores. According to the Census, there are approximately 15 deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the city. "It's important to highlight that the service installed is for all people with hearing impairments, because in addition to sign language interpretation, the conversation is also done via text to help everyone," stated the lottery outlet owner.

The system's inauguration took place on Thursday afternoon in the auditorium of the Chamber of Retail Directors (CDL), with the presence of several city personalities and representatives from Caixa Econômica Federal (CEF), who were pleased with the service offered. The Alliance Institute also participated with the Deaf and Blind Choir. Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers of the Joãozinho Lottery, in addition to playing games, will now be able to carry out any type of banking transaction with the help of the ICOM system.

Conversation in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with live interpreters.

The sign language center service was represented by Andrea Venancino, coordinator of Icom, and Giovane Barelli, responsible for implementing new partnerships. During the inauguration, they both spoke about the service offered and its importance to the deaf community and people with hearing impairments. For Andrea Venancino, implementing the simultaneous sign language translation service is more than a professional service; "it's something very rewarding and difficult to explain."

Andrea Venancino's statement is linked to the fact that she is the daughter of deaf parents and the granddaughter of deaf grandparents; therefore, for her, the implementation of the service making places accessible is something that delights her and "goes far beyond the professional aspect." Regarding the Joãozinho Lottery offering the service, Andrea Venancino said that Fátima Guimarães' commitment and dedication "was stimulating, and also because my father always liked to gamble," she commented, recalling the difficulties she faced and how deaf people in Petrópolis will no longer experience the same difficulties.

According to ICOM representatives, when a deaf person arrives at the Joãozinho Lottery, they will access the chat panel and a sign language interpreter will initiate contact. After initial introductions, the interpreter asks what the person wants. From this contact, the interpreter listens to the deaf person and relays information and questions to the lottery employee, who responds, and the interpreter relays the information back to the deaf person. The conversation only ends when the deaf person says they are satisfied and have achieved everything they wanted.

According to Giovane Barelli, the sign language center service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Currently, the service is implemented in several companies, public agencies, and institutions. One of the services being expanded is by the São Paulo City Hall. According to him, the City Hall installed the service on the cell phones of deaf people, through shared internet access, allowing them to be served in any public office.