Adapted experiences show the transformative power of physical activity and reinforce empathy as the essence of accessibility
Visitors of Reatech + Expo Brasil Paralímpica 2025 lived unique experiences in adapted sports such as wheelchair basketball and rugby, boccia, sitting volleyball, climbing, archery, and powerlifting, next to Brazilian Paralympic athletes and professionals from the fields of rehabilitation and accessibility. The power of inclusive sport took over the pavilions of São Paulo Expo, in a schedule of experiences and challenges that moved the audience and reinforced the role of sport as a tool for empathy and inclusion. The event was developed by Fiera Milano Brasil, in partnership with Brazilian Paralympic Committee.
With each round, the sound of the bouncing ball and the collective effort on the courts showed that sportsmanship goes far beyond competition. “When the public feels the weight of the chair, the balance in sitting volleyball, or the precision required in archery, they begin to understand the magnitude of the dedication and strength of these athletes. It is an experience of empathy and respect that changes perceptions.”, stated Clara Simões, 24 years old, fair participant.
Stories that inspire and break barriers
Among the highlights of the program were Paralympic and world-class athletes who shared their stories of overcoming adversity and building self-esteem with the public. The Paralympic athlete Vinicius Rodrigues, for example, reported how the sport became decisive in her trajectory after an accident at age 19, in 2013. “Sport completely transformed my life, especially after the accident. It was what made me feel useful and capable again. In the first five months of my rehabilitation, I chose sport, and athletics in particular changed everything. For ten years it has been part of my routine and continues to be a transformative force. Furthermore, I know that my example motivates other people”, told.
The audience, consisting of visitors of different ages and profiles, actively participated in the activities. “It was exciting to realize that, with adaptation and willpower, anyone can experience sport. I left here admiring these athletes even more”, reported Lucas Castro, 20 years old, a visitor from Rio de Janeiro, who tried sitting volleyball for the first time.
Sport as a bridge to empathy and inclusion
In addition to practical experiences, the event promoted lectures and discussion circles on inclusion, accessibility, and the role of sport as a tool for rehabilitation and social transformation. The interaction between athletes and visitors reinforced a central message: Paralympic sport is synonymous with power, not limitation. “These experiences broaden the understanding of diversity and show that sport is, above all, a space of belonging”, observed André Yago, 43-year-old physical education teacher and physical therapist.
With the proposal of integrating the public and athletes into the same space of learning, emotion, and exchange of experiences, the Paralympic activities at the 20th Reatech and the 2nd Expo Brasil Paralímpico showed that sport is one of the most powerful languages of inclusion. By allowing the public to experience, even if just for a few minutes, the conditions and challenges faced by the athletes, the fair not only brought realities closer together, but also broke down symbolic barriers—reaffirming that accessibility is, above all, a matter of empathy.
About Fiera Milano Brasil
Fiera Milano Brasil is the Brazilian subsidiary of Fiera Milano, one of the largest international groups in the organization of trade fairs and congresses, headquartered in Italy with a global presence, responsible for bringing together approximately 30,000 exhibitors and more than five million visitors annually at its events. With international expertise and deep knowledge of the local market, Fiera Milano Brasil offers strategic platforms for business generation, qualified networking, and trend launching, connecting brands, professionals, and solutions in innovative and highly professional environments. It holds a total of ten trade fairs covering various sectors of the economy, such as security, clean and renewable energy, tubes and fittings, cables, occupational health, rehabilitation technologies, inclusion and accessibility, among others. Among the main brands in its portfolio are Exposec, Fisp, Fire Show, Ecoenergy Congress, Fruit Attraction São Paulo — in partnership with IFEMA Madrid —, Reatech + Expo Brasil Paralímpico, in partnership with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Tubotech, Wire Brasil, TranspoQuip and Expoparking, in partnership with BMComm, and E-squadria Show — the latter held in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil.
About the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB)
Founded in 1995, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) is the governing body for adaptive sports in Brazil. It represents and leads the Paralympic Movement in the country and seeks to promote and develop sport from initiation to high performance for people with disabilities. The CPB is responsible for the country's participation in continental and world competitions and the Paralympic Games, in addition to promoting the development of various adaptive sports in Brazil, in coordination with their respective national organizations.
More information: www.cpb.org.br
