National Institute for Rehabilitation
Planning, Coordination and Implementation of National Policies for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
18JUN2025 | Flag Raising | Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach, Mafra Municipality
The Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação, I.P. (National Institute for Rehabilitation), the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, I.P. (Portuguese Environment Agency) and Turismo de Portugal, I.P. (Tourism of Portugal), in partnership with the Municipality of Mafra, will hold the ceremony to fly the flag of the ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ Programme on the beach that won the 2024 edition of the ‘Praia + Accessible’ Award. The session will take place on the day 18 June at 11 a.m. at Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach , no Municipality of Mafra , winner of the Coastal Beach Award. This session symbolically marks the commitment of the municipalities and entities involved with the promotion of bathing accessibility and inclusion, publicly recognizing the effort made to ensure that all people, regardless of their condition, can enjoy the beaches with equity, comfort, autonomy and dignity. The ceremony will be attended by the president of the host municipality, Hugo Moreira Luís, of the Municipality of Mafra, the President of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., Sónia Esperto, representatives of the company IACESS, official sponsor of the “Praia + Accessible” Award, as well as local entities involved in promoting bathing accessibility. Get to know the program of the ceremony below: Programme | 18 June – Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach, Mafra 11 a.m. Opening session and presentation of the objectives of the ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ programme: President of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., Sónia Esperto 11.15 a.m. Award of the Beach + Accessible Award 2024, Coastal Beach category Hugo Moreira Luís, Municipality of Mafra Helena Vitorino, Manuel Ribeiro and Thaís Terranova, representing the company IACESS, sponsor of the Award 12 noon Official raising of the flag ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ More information about this program see here .
View highlight details 16JUN2025 | Flag Raising | Ribeira Beach (Albufeira do Azibo) in the Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros
The National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., the Portuguese Environment Agency, I.P. and Turismo de Portugal, I.P., in partnership with the Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros, will hold the ceremony to fly the flag of the ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ Programme on the beach that won the 2024 edition of the ‘Praia + Accessible’ Award. The session will take place on the day 16 June, at 2.30 p.m., in Praia da Ribeira (Albufeira do Azibo) No Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros , winner of the Prize in the category of Inner Beach. This session symbolically marks the commitment of the municipalities and entities involved with the promotion of bathing accessibility and inclusion, publicly recognizing the effort made to ensure that all people, regardless of their condition, can enjoy the beaches with equity, comfort, autonomy and dignity. The ceremony will be attended by the president of the host municipality, Benjamin Rodrigues, the Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros, the President of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., Sónia Esperto, representatives of the company IACESS, official sponsor of the “Praia + Accessible” Award, as well as local entities involved in promoting bathing accessibility. Get to know the program of the ceremony below: Programme | 16 June – Ribeira Beach (Azibo), Macedo de Cavaleiros 2.30 p.m. Opening session and presentation of the objectives of the ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ programme: President of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., Sónia Esperto 2.45 p.m. Award of the “Praia + Acessível” Award 2024, category of Inner Beach: Benjamin Rodrigues, Mayor of Macedo de Cavaleiros Manuel Ribeiro and Rita Ribeiro, representing the company IACESS, sponsor of the Award 3 p.m. Official raising of the flag ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ More information about this program see here .
View highlight details Festival "MEO KALORAMA" receives distinction of "Accessible Festival"
The National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., and Turismo de Portugal, I.P. decided to award the distinction "Accessible Festival" to the "MEO KALORAMA" Festival, promoted by Last Tour Portugal, under the Accessible Festivals Program 2025. The "MEO KALORAMA" Festival will take place from June 19 to 21, 2025, at Bela Vista Park, Av. Dr. Arlindo Vicente, 1950 Lisbon. More information at Accessible Festivals Program - INR, I.P.
View highlight details Applications are now open for the 4th edition of the "Sport + Accessible" Award!
The National Institute for Rehabilitation (INR, I.P.) and the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ, I.P.) announce the opening of the application period for the Sports + Accessible Award, which runs from 6 April to 6 June. In this 4th edition of the Award we intend to continue to promote the social inclusion of people with disabilities, through sports, highlighting projects with a focus on intervention with children and young people. The winning project will receive a prize of €7,000, awarded by INR, I.P. in partnership with IPDJ, I.P. and Decathlon Portugal. This year, the winner will also receive 7 hours of consulting. online specialized in volunteer management, in the amount of 350 €, promoted by the partner Pista Mágica. Each priority area will be awarded 1 honorable mention, which will receive a prize from the Decathlon Portugal , in sports equipment, in the amount of 500,00 € and the Magical Clue , in 5 hours of consultancy online specialized in volunteer management, in the amount of 250€. Priority areas of the 4th edition: training; Accessibility and Support Products; Sports development. Find out more about the Prize "Sport + Accessible" HERE .
View highlight details INR promoted the session “Dialogues on Neuroscience and Autism”
On 21 May, the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. (INR) held the session ‘Dialogues on Neuroscience and Autism’, an initiative that brought together participants in person and remotely to reflect on scientific advances in the field of autism, based on clear and accessible communication of technical and scientific knowledge. The session was attended by Professor Miguel Castelo-Branco, researcher at the University of Coimbra and international reference in the area of neurosciences. With a clear, engaging and inclusive approach, Miguel Castelo-Branco shared results of scientific research on neurological mechanisms associated with autism and addressed the importance of respecting and understanding neurodiversity as a legitimate expression of the human condition. At the opening, the Vice-President of the INR, Marina Van Zeller, reinforced the Institute's commitment to promoting scientific literacy and the social inclusion of people with disabilities, highlighting that "the dissemination of qualified and socially transformative information is essential for the construction of a more conscious, inclusive and respectful society of human diversity". Moderated by Sónia Esperto, President of the INR, the conversation explored topics such as the role of routines in the autistic brain, the implications of hyperfocus, the relevance of adapted sensory environments, and the potential of technologies – such as: neurofeedback and digital games – in the development of social and emotional skills. This event affirmed itself as another step in the commitment of the INR, I.P., to bring scientific knowledge closer to civil society, contributing to a culture of inclusion based on respect for differences and valuing the potential of all people. If you didn't have the opportunity to attend, attend this event. HERE .
View highlight details Session “Personal Assistance and Independent Living”
On 22 May, the session “Personal Assistance and Independent Living” was held as part of the Talk Disability and Inclusion 2025 event. This event was promoted by the Balcão for the Inclusion of the Municipality of Porto in the Auditorium A Beneficência Familiar in the city of Porto. The opening session was held by the Director of the Municipal Department of Social Cohesion, Raquel Castello-Branco, and the panel of speakers was attended by Sónia Esperto, President of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, IP, Fernando Fontes, Assistant Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra, Ana Catarina Correia, Director of the Association Centro de Vida Independente, Rosária Martins, Personal Assistant and Felisberta Andrade, recipient of personal assistance. The theme of the session focused on the path of independent living movements and the reality of personal assistance in the Portuguese context, from the pilot project to the social response, as well as future perspectives. The president of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, IP during the intervention highlighted the work carried out by the National Coordinating Entity in close proximity to the CAVI, calling for the continuity of this partnership. He also stressed the need to enhance and maximize the resources that are already available, so that it is possible to enable the extension of the project. During the session there was room for some questions and reflections put by the participants to the speakers. The participants' interventions focused on the need to regulate the profession of the personal assistant and highlighted the importance of the role of the recipients in the growth of MAVI, through the sharing of experiences and participation in the evaluations of the quality of the service.
View highlight details Show of Unknown Authors with open applications
The “Show of Unknown Authors” is a social responsibility initiative of the IGAC Inspectorate-General for Cultural Activities. This project assumes the configuration of a competition and has as main objective to promote talents This fifth edition is aimed at people with disabilities, in partnership with the INR (National Institute for Rehabilitation). This competition includes 5 categories: literature, visual and visual arts, music, performing arts, audiovisual and multimedia. For more information: unknown authors@igac.pt or at www.autoresdesconhecidos.pt
View highlight details The INR has arrived on Instagram!
The National Institute for Rehabilitation has arrived on the social network " Instagram ". To this network is added the presence in the Facebook and LinkedIn . The INR is also Youtube . Follow us and stay up to date with news and information from INR! Facebook HERE Instagram HERE LinkedIn HERE Youtube HERE
View highlight details INR launches innovative application in the area of accessibility
The National Institute for Rehabilitation (INR) launches an application ( App ) a pioneer that contributes to improving the quality of life of people, including people with disabilities. A A pp Accessibility 360 It is a tool that will be constantly evolving and growing The aim is to facilitate access to public services, taking into account the specific mobility needs of each individual. Available for download in the Google Play and in Apple Store , this application provides detailed information to ensure that everyone can access public services in a simple and unhindered way. Its implementation is progressive Profiles for visually impaired people and people with restricted mobility are already available, where you will be able to access: navigation to the desired service, identifying the conditions of accessibility to the building; Navigation in the building, guiding the most accessible route; Location and availability of parking spaces for persons with restricted mobility. This App is part of the +Access Platform, an investment developed by the INR as part of the financing of the Recovery and Resilience Plan. More than just a technology tool, this App it is an essential step in national inclusion goals, at the service of each person, thus establishing a commitment to the future. Learn more about the App Accessibility 360 HERE .
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