Michelle Bolsonaro Defends Deaf Education Policy Origin Amid Political Backlash
Michelle Bolsonaro defends the origin of the National Policy on Bilingual Education for the Deaf amid criticism from Jair Bolsonaro loyalists.
- • Michelle Bolsonaro claims the bilingual education policy originated during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency.
- • She highlights her commitment to disability rights beyond party lines.
- • A judicial action delayed the policy's implementation beyond Bolsonaro’s term.
- • Bolsonaro supporters criticized Michelle for praising the policy under Lula’s government.
- • Internal strife in the Liberal Party intensified after Michelle’s dispute with Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
Key details
Former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro publicly defended the National Policy on Bilingual Education for the Deaf, asserting that it was developed and presented during her husband Jair Bolsonaro's presidency. This clarification came after her praise for the policy, recently launched by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government, sparked criticism from Bolsonaro's supporters.
Michelle emphasized her longstanding commitment to disability advocacy, stating, "I have always been an advocate for people with disabilities. This is the issue of my heart and it transcends any ideology or party." She highlighted that although the policy was conceived during Jair Bolsonaro's term, its implementation was delayed by a judicial action, which prevented it from being delivered before their administration ended in 2022.
In addition, Michelle referenced the Amália Barros Law, passed in 2023 during Bolsonaro's government, which recognizes monocular vision as a sensory disability, as further evidence of her husband's dedication to disability rights. Despite initially acknowledging Lula's administration's role in launching the bilingual education policy, Michelle faced accusations of betrayal and was even subjected to attacks by bolsonarista militants, who circulated edited images of her wearing the Workers’ Party (PT) shirt.
This controversy adds to ongoing tensions within the Liberal Party (PL), particularly following Michelle's public fallout with her stepson, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. After feeling "stabbed" by Flávio, Michelle met with PL President Valdemar Costa Neto and decided to step down from her leadership role in PL Mulher, a move seen as an attempt to ease internal party strife.
Michelle urged that the focus remain on the benefits of the policy for the deaf community rather than on political credit or party affiliations. This statement underscores the broader challenge of separating public policy achievements from partisan disputes in Brazil's polarized political environment.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Year of Amália Barros Law sanction
Sources report different years for when the Amália Barros Law was sanctioned.
cnnbrasil.com.br
"She pointed out the approval of the Amália Barros Law, which recognizes monocular vision as a sensory disability, as an example of her husband's commitment to helping individuals with disabilities."
gazetadopovo.com.br
"citing the example of the Amália Barros Law, which was sanctioned by her husband, former President Jair Bolsonaro, in 2023, recognizing monocular vision as a sensory disability."
Why this matters: One source states the law was sanctioned in 2023, while the other does not specify a year, which could lead to confusion about the timeline of events. This discrepancy is significant as it affects the understanding of the legislative context during Bolsonaro's presidency.