Santa Casa and the MEO Foundation open ‘Espaço com Sentido’ at the Calouste Gulbenkian Centre for Cerebral Palsy
A new facility dedicated to assistive communication technologies will enhance the independence, participation and quality of life of the people supported by the Centre. The facility pays tribute to Margarida Nunes da Ponte, a pioneer in the field of augmentative and alternative communication in Portugal.
On Tuesday 20 October, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa and the MEO Foundation officially opened the ‘Espaço com Sentido’ at Santa Casa’s Calouste Gulbenkian Centre for Cerebral Palsy. This initiative strengthens the Centre’s specialist provision in the field of assistive technologies, with a particular focus on augmentative and alternative communication.
The opening was attended by the Provedor, Paulo Sousa, the Vice-Provedora, Rita Prates, and the other members of Santa Casa’s Board, as well as Carolina Pita Negrão, director of the MEO Foundation.
Housed in a room within the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Techniques Unit, the new space will enhance the assessment, trialling, training, counselling, customisation and monitoring of the use of assistive communication technologies, helping to promote the independence and participation of those supported by the Centre. Through this partnership, the MEO Foundation will provide IT equipment, assistive communication technology solutions and furniture; training is also planned for the Centre’s staff on how to use the equipment and solutions provided. The planned resources include hybrid computers, eye-tracking devices, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) software, digitisers and communicators, as well as specific stands for tablets and computers.
The management of the space and the provision of services will be the responsibility of the CPCCG, which will integrate these technologies into the assessment and support processes carried out with the people it supports.
At the opening ceremony, the Provedor highlighted the close alignment between the missions of the two institutions, emphasising the shared values that guide their work with individuals and communities. Paulo Sousa also thanked all the professionals and partners involved for their commitment to bringing this initiative to fruition, which strengthens the Centre’s capacity to respond and Santa Casa’s commitment to promoting independence and inclusion.
For her part, Carolina Pita Negrão highlighted the Centre’s work in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, emphasising the importance of placing each person at the centre of the intervention and of identifying their needs, interests and abilities before selecting the most appropriate technological solutions.
The ‘Espaço com Sentido’ will be housed in the Dr Margarida Nunes da Ponte Room, in tribute to this professional’s decisive contribution to the development of Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Portugal.
Naming the room after her thus recognises a legacy that has helped transform the way in which communication is understood and promoted for people with complex communication needs, perpetuating Dr Margarida Nunes da Ponte’s connection to the Centre.
