National Institute for Rehabilitation
Planning, Coordination and Implementation of National Policies for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Dia Internacional das Pessoas com Deficiência
Hoje, dia 3 de dezembro, assinala-se o Dia Internacional das Pessoas com Deficiência, uma data proclamada pela Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) para promover a dignidade, os direitos e o bem-estar de milhões de pessoas com deficiência em todo o mundo. Em 2025, a ONU definiu como tema “Promover sociedades inclusivas para pessoas com deficiência para avançar no progresso social”. Este tema convida-nos a refletir sobre a importância de garantir que as pessoas com deficiência não sejam apenas beneficiárias, mas partes ativas da construção de sociedades mais justas, equitativas e sustentáveis. Significa promover a acessibilidade, a inclusão no emprego, educação, saúde, proteção social e participação plena em todos os domínios da nossa vida. O INR reafirma o seu compromisso com esses princípios. Acreditamos que cada pessoa deve ter oportunidade real de autonomia, participação e dignidade. Mais do que sensibilizar, é nosso dever contribuir para remover barreiras — físicas, sociais, estruturais — e apoiar políticas, serviços e práticas que garantam uma verdadeira inclusão. Convidamos todos a unirem-se a nós nesta missão. Para conhecer os direitos reconhecidos internacionalmente às pessoas com deficiência, consulte a Convenção da ONU sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência que Portugal ratificou. Leia a Convenção na íntegra AQUI .
View highlight details Quiz – Deficiência Visual: verdades ou mitos?
No âmbito das Comemorações do 3 de dezembro – Dia Internacional das Pessoas com Deficiência, a ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal, promove um Quiz, desafiando todas as pessoas sobre os conhecimentos sobre a Deficiência Visual. Acede ao Quiz AQUI .
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Beach + Accessible Award 2025 - Dissemination of Results
The results of the 17th edition of the Praia + Accessible Award are now available. The Jury of the Praia + Accessible Award – composed of representatives of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., which chairs, the Portuguese Environment Agency, I.P., Turismo de Portugal, I.P., the Associação Bandeira Azul do Ambiente e Educação and the sponsor of the Award, the company IACESS, Lda. – decided to give the following classification: 1st Prize Coastal Beach - São Lourenço Beach, Mafra Municipality; 1st Prize Praia Interior – Praia da Fraga da Pegada, from the Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. Consult HERE For more information about this award.
View highlight details INR dinamizou 5º Fórum "Vida Independente: a Assistência Pessoal na Vida Ativa – Formação Profissional – Aveiro
O Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação, I.P. (INR, I.P.), no âmbito da Estratégia Nacional para a Inclusão das Pessoas com Deficiência (ENIPD 2021-2025), prossegue a realização de um conjunto de fóruns, a nível nacional, para promover a discussão sobre estratégias e medidas de não institucionalização. Em 2025, a temática dos fóruns incide sobre a Vida Independente e o papel que a assistência pessoal desempenha na vida ativa das pessoas com deficiência, procurando envolver e reunir as perspetivas dos CAVI, destinatários de assistência pessoal, municípios e entidades nas áreas da educação, formação profissional e emprego. O 5º Fórum, intitulado “Vida Independente: A Assistência Pessoal na Vida Ativa – Formação Profissional” decorreu no dia 24 de novembro, pelas 14h30, no auditório do IEFP em Aveiro e contou com a presença de diferentes atores ligado de forma mais direta ou mais indireta à formação profissional e assistência pessoal. A abertura esteve a cargo da Câmara Municipal de Aveiro, representado pelo Vereador Pedro Almeida, que manifestou o seu agrado por receber este evento no seu concelho e salientou a preocupação do município em reforçar a área social e respetivas intervenções. O painel de oradores foi moderado por Guida Oliveira, diretora técnica do CAVI da Associação de Paralisia Cerebral de Viseu (APCV) e contou com a partilha de experiências de Luís Guerrinha, Diretor do Centro de Emprego de Aveiro, Rosa Couto, Presidente da direção da CERCI Espinho, Vitor Marques, Diretor do Agrupamento de Escolas de Aveiro, Anne Caroline Soares e Maria de Fátima Henriques, ambas destinatárias de assistência pessoal. Ao longo do fórum foi salientada a assistência pessoal como um recurso de extrema importância para a autonomia e a concretização de objetivos das pessoas com deficiência. A complementaridade entre o papel da família e do ou da assistente pessoal é essencial, na medida em que a pessoa continua a fazer parte de uma família, mas, com a assistência pessoal tem alguém que lhe dá apoio nas tarefas que necessita. O MAVI disponibiliza um serviço individualizado, onde a escolha é da própria pessoa, permitindo-lhe fazer as suas escolhas, incluindo as pessoas com deficiência intelectual e doença mental, que até há pouco tempo ficavam excluídas da maioria das respostas. O Diretor do Centro de Emprego de Aveiro apresentou os vários programas de apoio do Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP), que procuram facilitar o acesso à formação profissional e ao emprego para todas as pessoas. Deu especial enfoque à importância de investir na educação, por forma a que os jovens consigam ter habilitações académicas que lhes permitam o acesso a todos os cursos e propostas de emprego que lhes interessem. O Diretor do Agrupamento de escolas de Aveiro focou a sua intervenção no dever que a escola tem de preparar os jovens para serem cidadãos de pleno direito. Considerou que a presença de assistentes pessoais na escola poderia ser muito benéfica para os alunos que usufruíssem deste apoio. Uma das conclusões desta tarde de partilhas foi que existe uma necessidade premente de fazer mudanças, para tornar as intervenções mais sustentáveis e rentabilizar recursos. Este fórum contou com a presença de três turmas de alunos de escolas do concelho de Aveiro. O encerramento da sessão ficou a cargo de Sónia Esperto, Presidente do Conselho Diretivo do Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação, que agradeceu todos os contributos e sugeriu que se olhasse para os recursos existentes numa lógica de complementaridade, para que se consiga utilizá-los e aproveitar as oportunidades que representam. Este foi o último fórum, de um total de 25, realizados ao longo dos últimos três anos, dedicados ao tema da promoção da vida independente, para os quais se investiu na partilha de experiências entre os vários atores sociais, por forma a promover o conhecimento e as sinergias entre todos.
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Tokyo2025 Deaflympics - Portuguese participation awarded with 6 medals and 2 diplomas!
The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics , which took place between 15 and 26 November, brought together around 3,000 hearing-impaired athletes from around 80 countries competing in 21 sports. This important event marks the centenary of this multi-sport event, whose first edition took place in 1924. Our country participated for the ninth time in this competition, since its debut in Sofia in 1993, having won since then a total of 19 medals (eight gold, four silver and seven bronze). Portugal was represented with 13 participants, who competed in five modalities: athletics, cycling, judo, swimming and shooting. National athletes compete in athletics, with five – Francisco Laranjeira, Gustavo Pereira, Hemilton Costa, Margarida Silva and Ricardo Gomes. In swimming, with four — Diogo Neves, Miguel Cruz, Ricardo Belezas and Tiago Neves. In cycling, André Soares, who won two medals in the last edition of the competition contested in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, in 2022, and João Marques will defend the national colors, while in judo will mark the presence of Joana Santos, who has four medals in Deaflympics in the palmarés. Nuno Esteves will be our representative in the shooting. Portugal has won six medals: three gold medals, two silver and one bronze at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, in what was his best performance ever, especially Margarida Silva, André Soares and Joana Santos. Margarida Silva won two gold medals and one silver in athletics, André Soares one silver and one bronze in cycling and Joana Santos one gold in judo. In athletics the three medals were all obtained by Margarida Silva, gold in the 800m and 5,000m and silver in the 1,500m. In cycling, André Soares won the silver medal in the individual time trial and was bronze in the points race. In judo was Joana Santos who also contributed to the huge participation of the Portugal team in Tokyo and was in evidence by snatching gold in the -57kg category, revalidating the title achieved three years ago in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. Also worth mentioning are the athletes Francisco Laranjeira, who was fourth in the 5,000 meters and João Marques was seventh in the road race, in the distance of 100 kilometers. Both have secured two deaflympic diplomas. This sporting event, held every four years, is organized by the International Committee of Sport for the Deaf (ICSD), was created in 1924 and in 1955 was admitted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an international federation. The Tokyo2025 edition was the centenary games. To participate in the Games, athletes must have lost 55 decibels in their "best ear", not being allowed to use any hearing aids or implants. The host city of the 2029 Summer Olympics for the Deaf has not yet been defined, with Athens, Greece, and Zagreb, Croatia, the candidate cities. CREDITS OF THE IMAGE: PARALIMPIC COMMITTEE OF PORTUGAL
View highlight details Open competition to qualify professionals of the National System of Early Intervention in Childhood
The contest is ongoing PEOPLE-2025-21 , which aims to support qualification actions of professionals of the National System for Early Childhood Intervention (SNIPI) . This call is co-financed by European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and by the Portuguese State, with a total allocation of €600,000 , of which €510,000 This is European funding. Support falls under the priority “More and better access to quality services” , in typology “Qualification and specialisation of the SNIPI” , and aims to strengthen the technical capacity of professionals working with children up to the age of six with changes in functions or at risk of developmental delay. Who can apply? higher education entities governed by public law (including those of a foundational nature); Entities governed by private non-profit law, established as educational cooperatives. The final recipients are SNIPI professionals, children and their families. This initiative contributes to: Single Strategy for the Rights of Children and Youth 2025-2035 National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2025 National Child Guarantee Plan 2022-2030 It thus reinforces the commitment of the PEOPLE 2030 ensuring equal access to quality public services and promoting inclusion from an early age. Deadline and submission Applications must be submitted by 18:00 on 11 December 2025 , through the Funds Desk . It is recommended not to leave for the last few days, to avoid embarrassment in the process. Clarifications Fund Line : 800 10 35 10 (free call, working days, 09h00-18h00) | Linhadosfundos@linhadosfundos.pt People 2030 Programme : 21 589 53 00 | geral@pessoas2030.gov.pt Access here to AAC PEOPLE-2025-21
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Segurança Social Direta - Pedido de Subsídio de Educação Especial
Já pode pedir o Subsídio de Educação Especial online, através do Portal da Segurança Social, de forma simples e rápida, sem necessidade de deslocação a um balcão de atendimento. Este subsídio é um apoio financeiro destinado a crianças e jovens até aos 24 anos com deficiência permanente, com o objetivo de ajudar a suportar despesas relacionadas com a frequência de estabelecimentos adequados ou com apoio individual prestado por técnicos especializados. Para efetuar o pedido, basta aceder ao menu: Família > Deficiência e Incapacidade > Subsídio de Educação Especial > Consultar e pedir Subsídio de Educação Especial , e preencher os dados solicitados. Com esta funcionalidade, é possível: Registar pedidos para apoio individual por técnico especializado ou para frequência de estabelecimento de educação especial; Acompanhar o estado do pedido após o registo; Solicitar o reembolso de despesas com educação especial, tornando o processo mais rápido e eficiente. Este serviço foi criado para oferecer maior comodidade e agilidade, permitindo que se concentre no que realmente importa. Se ainda não está registado/a na Segurança Social Direta, consulte o folheto informativo para saber como fazê-lo. Para mais detalhes sobre o processo, assista ao vídeo explicativo .
View highlight details Let's celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities!
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked annually by 3 December . With the creation of a Working Group made up of members of the INR and NGOsPD representative of the various areas of disability, this year the celebrations begin earlier, with a diversified agenda of activities This includes sports initiatives, conferences, seminars, games, workshops and more. The high point will be a the Celebrative Gala , which will take place in the December 3rd, at 6 p.m., at the Lisbon Forum . Stay tuned to the news we will share and join us in the celebration of this day, promoting a more aware society. dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities . See below for the full agenda. Let's celebrate together! AGENDA (subject to last minute changes) For more information, please contact the respective organising bodies. October Day 4 Event: "Inclusive sport" NGOPD/Responsible Body: Jorge Pina/INR Association Where: Lisbon Event is over. Learn more HERE . November During the month Event: Vox Pop NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR Where: Online From 17 November to 5 December Event: Exhibition “Wish for me” NGOPD/Responsible Body: Centre for Support to Independent Living of the Portuguese Association of Parents and Friends of the Mentally Impaired Citizen of Évora Where: Facilities of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, Lisbon Learn more HERE . Day 6 - 2.30 p.m. / 4.50 p.m. Event: Award of the Sport + Accessible Award NGOPD/Responsible Body: IPDJ - Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth/INR Where: Matosinhos More info HERE . Event is over. Learn more HERE . Day 6 – 09:30/18:30 Event: NER/CMRA seminar – “The present and future of nurses specialising in rehabilitation in specialised centres” NGOPD/Responsible Body: NER/CMRA - Nurse Rehabilitation Center / Rehabilitation Medicine Center of Alcoitão Where: Alcoitão More info HERE . Event is over. Learn more HERE . Day 11 Event: Physical Activity at the Rhythm of Saint Martin/Magusto NGOPD/Responsible Body: ADFA - Association of the Disabled in the Armed Forces Where: ADFA More info HERE . Event is over. Day 15 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Event: Workshop and Open Debate "What does the Deaf Community want?" (10h00 - 12h00); Concentration (14:00 - 17:00) NGOPD/Responsible Body: FPAS - Portuguese Federation of Associations of the Deaf Where: Associação de Deaf do Porto (morning) / Av. dos Aliados (afternoon) More info HERE . Event is over. Day 19 Event: Scientific-Technical Meeting “Centrality of the Person in the Paradigm of Human Rights” NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR/IEFP - Institute for Employment and Vocational Training Where: IEFP Auditorium in Xabregas More info HERE . Day 21 - 2.30 p.m. / 5.30 p.m. Event: Conference “Let’s talk about the Right to Participation of Children with Disabilities ” NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR/NOVA Centre for Child Law & Children’s Rights/ONGPD Where: Faculty of Law of NOVA University of Lisbon More info HERE . Day 24 - 14h00/16h30 Event: Forum - “Independent Life: Personal Assistance in Active Life – Vocational Training” NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR Where: IEFP Auditorium Aveiro More info HERE . Day 26 – 18.00 Event: Delivery Poster Prize 3 December NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR / El Corte Inglés Where: El Corte Inglés More info HERE . Day 27 – 2.30 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Event: Seminar: The importance of public policies in local development NGOPD/Responsible Body: Equality and Citizenship Division of Loures City Council Where: Palace of the Marqueses of Praia and Monforte More info HERE . December To be confirmed Event: Exhibition "Rights in Image" NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR Where: tbc Days 2 and 3 Event: 8th edition “Inclusive Days of Viseu” NGOPD/Responsible Body: Sports, Recreational and Cultural Association – Invictus Viseu Where: Sports Pavilion of the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu More info HERE . Day 3 – 18.00/20.30 Event: 1st International Day of Persons with Disabilities Gala NGOPD/Responsible Body: INR / NGOPD Where: the Lisbon Forum Day 3 Event: Quiz Questionnaire/Game : “Do you think you know what it's like to be blind? Not everything that seems is true. On 3 December, take up the challenge that can change the way you see the world.” NGOPD/Responsible Body: ACAPO - Association of the Blind and Amblyopic of Portugal/INR Where: Online Day 3 Event: Initiation to the Portuguese Sign Language in the Office of the Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion NGOPD/Responsible Body: Office of the Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion Where: Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS) Day 3 - 2 p.m. Event: NPA promotes ‘Education for All’ project NGOPD/Responsible Body: Portuguese Association of Neuromusculars – APN Where: Polytechnic Institute of Tomar. More info HERE . Day 3 - 2.30 p.m. / 5.30 p.m. Event: Algarve Accessibility Event NGOPD/Responsible Body: Salvador Association / Faro City Council Where: University of Algarve, Faro More info HERE . Day 3 - 14.30/17.00 Event: APEXA - Association for the Support of the Exceptional Person of the Algarve NGOPD/Responsible Body: Lagoa/APEXA Inclusion Desk Where: Lagoon From 3 to 5 Event: European Disability Day and Access City Award 2026 NGOPD/Responsible Body: European Commission Where: Brussels Day 5 Event: II Forum Inclusive Life Choices under the theme "Culture and Leisure" NGOPD/Responsible Body: Lagos Inclusion Desk Where: Lagos Day 7 Event: "Inclusive sport" NGOPD/Responsible Body: Club of Portugal/INR Marathon Where: Lisbon
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Algarve Accessibility Event
The Salvador Association, in partnership with the Municipality of Faro, organises the “Algarve Accessibility Event”, which will take place on the International Day of People with Disabilities on 3 December between 2.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. at the University of Algarve in Faro. This meeting is part of the Accessibility 2.0 project and aims to be a moment of reflection, sharing and action around accessibility and inclusion, bringing together people with disabilities, associations, technicians, mayors, students and various entities from the region and the country. The initiative will be a space for debate, sharing best practices, inspiration and constructive dialogue, with the aim of promoting a more accessible and inclusive society. Operation Accessibility 2.0 is supported by Algarve2030, Portugal 2030 and the European Union - The European Funds Closer to You. This event takes place as part of the celebrations of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Learn more about the program and how to register (free of charge) HERE .
View highlight details Exposição “Desejo de mim”
Entre os dias 17 de novembro e 5 de dezembro, o INR recebe a exposição “Desejos de mim” que retrata a sensualidade das mulheres com deficiência. Esta exposição surge de uma iniciativa do CAVI da APPACDM de Évora, que lançou o desafio a várias mulheres, convidando-as a participar numa sessão fotográfica no feminino. A exposição é composta por 26 fotografias, algumas de corpo inteiro, outras de pormenores escolhidos pelas próprias participantes. Poderá ser visitada de 2ª a 6ª, entre as 9h e as 17h, na zona adjacente ao auditório Orlando Monteiro, no rés do chão do edifício do INR e a entrada é gratuita.
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NPA promotes ‘Education for All’ project
The Portuguese Association of Neuromusculars – APN will promote an awareness-raising and sharing action on 3 December at 2 p.m. at the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar. Targeting teaching and non-teaching staff, technicians and students, this initiative is part of the ‘Education for All’ project with a focus on ‘Human Rights and Inclusive Education’. The project aims to create and implement an awareness program aimed at the educational community, on human rights and inclusive education. This action takes place as part of the celebrations of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. For more information contact info@apn.pt or 226 106 202.
View highlight details Regulation on financial support for the operation of general NGOPDs published in RD and launch of applications for 2026
The Regulation on financial support for the operation of Non-Governmental Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (NGDOs) of general scope, Regulation No. 1205/2025, was published in the Portuguese Official Gazette (Diário da República) on 3 November. It defines the conditions for accessing, allocating and implementing financial support for the operation, as well as the rules and procedures governing the respective applications and implementation. According to its Article 5, applications for 2026 will run from 15 November to 31 December 2025. A call for applications will be launched on 12 November. Consult the new Regulation HERE .
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Concurso “Escola Alerta!” 2025/2026 com candidaturas abertas
The ‘School Alert!’ Competition 2025/2026, an initiative of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., is open to children in Pre-School Education and to students and students in Basic and Secondary Education, to promote projects and ideas that promote inclusion in schools and communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate. Applications may be submitted until 28 February 2026. The competition inviting children and young people, with the support of their teachers, to submit projects that integrate the inclusion of persons with disabilities, active citizenship and a culture of non-violence, is organised in three categories: Pre-School Education and 1st Cycle, 2nd and 3rd Cycles and Secondary Education. Projects ranked in the top three places in each category receive financial support – €2,000 for 1st place, €1,000 for 2nd place and €750 for 3rd place – as well as trophies and diplomas. The 2025/2026 edition takes place in the year in which the Single Strategy for the Rights of Children and Youth 2025-2035, approved by the Government in February, was published. The competition aims to involve schools in creating accessible and inclusive educational environments, ensuring learning and participation opportunities for all learners. Established in 2003/2004, ‘Escola Alerta!’ has already involved more than 30,000 students, 4,000 teachers and more than 1,000 schools. In the 2024/2025 edition, 2109 students and 161 teachers from 28 schools from 11 districts participated, with projects on inclusion and accessibility. See the rules and conditions for participation in https://www.inr.pt/escola-alerta For a school where every person counts. For a school where every person makes a difference.
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