In addition to the scientific program with lectures, work presentations and tutorials, the Neuroengineering Symposium will feature, in its ninth edition, a round table, which will have the theme “Neuroengineering and people with disabilities”. On the occasion, four lectures will be presented followed by a discussion with neuroengineering master's students Mário Ayres Diniz de Oliveira and Cícera Bruna Silva de Sousa; the president of the Mara Gabrilli Institute, Elizabeth Ribeiro, and the athlete Fabrício Taveira. 

In total, four themes will be addressed by the speakers: The search for an independent life; social inclusion and the evolution of assistive technologies; a reflection on inclusion and overcoming existing barriers in society for people with disabilities. 

The field of knowledge understood as neuroengineering combines knowledge from the areas of exact and biological sciences. At ISD, this knowledge is often applied to the creation of devices, protocols and studies related to the rehabilitation and health of people with disabilities, with close contact with this population from the ISD Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER ISD). 

“It's an honor to talk about what neuroengineering means to me, because in addition to being concerned with developing technologies to improve performance or the brain, it goes much further. It’s a world that has a peculiar, humanized look at the other”, explains psychologist and master’s student in neuroengineering Cícera Bruna. 

The round table constitutes an important opportunity for researchers and students to broaden their view of the importance of the participation of people with disabilities in science.

“I'm going to use a slightly different format, which will be a surprise, to talk about independent living. I'm going to talk a little about my accident, what happened, all the challenges generated from it and how I got through them, and what I built from that”, explains Mário. Among the projects developed by the researcher at ISD is a wheelchair stand-up, which allows the user to stand, reducing a series of problems that arise from sitting in wheelchairs for a long time. 

Registrations

Registration for the IX Neuroengineering Symposium must be made by Symposium page on the Congresse.me website. Early registration fees have been extended until September 17th, and cost R$ 50 for students from Latin America; R$ 100 for professionals in Latin America; U$ 50 for students from Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania and U$ 100 for professionals from Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. 

The Santos Dumont Institute will provide a bus for people who want to participate in the event in person. The request must be made on the event page, after registration, within the participants tab. 

ABOUT ISD

The Santos Dumont Institute is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.