News Details

The National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. (INR, I.P.), as part of the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (ENIPD 2021-2025), continues to hold a set of forums at national level to promote discussion on non-institutionalisation strategies and measures. In 2025, the theme of the forums focuses on Independent Living and the role that personal assistance plays in the working life of persons with disabilities, seeking to involve and gather the perspectives of recipients of personal assistance, municipalities, employers, schools and universities.

The 4th Forum, entitled “Independent Living: Personal Assistance in Active Life – Higher Education’ took place on 9 October at 2.30 p.m. in the IEFP auditorium in Coimbra. Focusing on Higher Education, this initiative sought to boost dialogue and the sharing of experiences and perspectives between the different actors in the dynamics of the Higher Education context, bringing together institutional representatives of the Municipality of Coimbra and the University of Coimbra, students with disabilities who receive personal assistance and a personal assistant from CERE CAVI, APC Coimbra and Cavalo Azul.

The opening of the event was held by Ana Cortez Vaz, Councilwoman of the Social Action Department of the Municipality of Coimbra. The panel of speakers was attended by Paulo Peixoto – Pro-Rector of the University of Coimbra, Cristina Soutinho – Member of the Board of the Association of Cerebral Palsy of Coimbra (APCC), Daniela Rodrigues – Technical Coordinator of CAVI of the Centre for Teaching and Recovery of Enthronement (CERE), Andreia Santos – Personal Assistant of CAVI of the Association of Solidarity Families with Disabilities – Blue Horse (AFSD), David Pedro – Recipient of CERE CAVI and Patrícia Dinis – Recipient of APCC CAVI.

Personal assistance has been recognised as essential to ensure the autonomy and inclusion of students with disabilities, enabling them to overcome physical and social barriers in higher education. Challenges have been identified such as excessive bureaucracy in the allocation and authorisation of support by some educational institutions, inaccessibility of buildings, shortage of adapted residences and lack of accessible transport. The University of Coimbra highlighted its commitment to inclusive policies and strategic partnerships to meet the needs of the growing diversity of the academic community.

The testimonies showed the positive impact of personal assistance in academic life, namely in terms of travel, communication mediation, spatial orientation and study support, but also pointed to limitations such as insufficient hours of support and the lack of regulation of the profession. It was agreed that starting this support as early as possible in school is crucial for a successful adaptation to higher education.

Personal assistance has been widely recognised as an essential resource for ensuring equal access and attendance of students with disabilities in higher education, enabling them to fully exercise their rights to education, autonomy and active participation in academic and social life, contributing to a more inclusive university path.

The forum was closed by Sónia Esperto – President of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, IP.

The next forum will be on the theme "Independent Life: Personal Assistance in Active Life – Vocational Training” and will take place at a date and place yet to be defined, in physical format.