The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) inaugurated this Tuesday, October 24th, a Paralympic Reference Center that will serve the population of Rio Grande do Norte. The Center, accredited by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), will operate at ISD units in Macaíba (RN). Initially, two modalities will be offered: bocce and para athletics. Screening for access to the Reference Center takes place remotely. Scheduling can be done by calling (84) 4042-0033; (84) 4042-0044, or via WhatsApp: (84) 9-9155-3027, from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm.
The inauguration was attended by authorities from the RN State Department of Public Health (Sesap/RN), the State's undersecretary of Sports and Leisure; the coordinator of People with Disabilities of the State Secretariat for Women, Youth, Racial Equality and Human Rights, the Brazilian Paralympic Reference Center, parasports entities and people with disabilities, representatives of Macaíba and Parnamirim City Hall and parathletes and users of the ISD.
“The feeling with this inauguration today is one of happiness, as it is another piece of equipment that will encourage parasports in Rio Grande do Norte. They are spaces where possibilities expand, where people see how much they can achieve, and experience the transformative power of sport”, highlighted the State's Undersecretary of Sport and Leisure, César Nunes.
The Reference Center is the result of a partnership with CPB that aims to expand the supply of parasports modalities across Brazil. It includes adults and children aged 7 and over, who can access the facilities free of charge and undergo training from sports initiation to high performance. After scheduling, interested people will undergo a remote screening followed by a global assessment, when the eligibility criteria for the modalities offered at the Institute are verified. If the person is not eligible for these modalities, they will be referred to another Reference Center that offers modalities for which they are eligible.
“This moment marks the opening of this space for all people with physical, visual and intellectual disabilities in the state of Rio Grande do Norte who want to participate and join Paralympic sport. It is an opportunity to strengthen Paradesporto in RN and Brazil, and we have great affection for this project, as the mission of the Reference Centers is very aligned with that of ISD, to promote social transformation through teaching, research and extension ”, highlighted the coordinator of the ISD Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER ISD), Camila Simão.
In addition to training with professionals accredited by CPB, users of the ISD Reference Center will undergo clinical assessments, definition of performance goals and will also be accompanied by researchers and students from the institution, who carry out research in the area of Neuroengineering and assistive technologies.
