Since the creation of dating and relationship apps, many people around the world have found their so-called \u201cbetter half\u201d just by using a cell phone and the internet. Apps like Tinder and Happn became popular, and later similar ones emerged for niches\u2014such as those aimed at the LGBTQI+ community or even religious groups, for example.<\/span><\/p>\n A specific app for people with disabilities was slow to arrive, but it was also launched. In 2018, while using one of the famous dating programs, young Ricardo Alonso Jorge's, who is a person with a disability, realized that he ran into refusal when people discovered his condition. \u201cI would log on and get rejected. So I thought about creating a dating app for people with disabilities. That's how Devotee came about,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n At Reatech 2023, the public is having the opportunity to discover Devotee. It works as a social networking site for relationships to help people with disabilities with dating. It is possible to view user profiles, send messages, meet them, and, ultimately, build a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen the pandemic started, along with social distancing, Devotee blew up,\u201d reported Jorge's. \u201cI myself met someone through it\u2014she's my girlfriend. We have very positive feedback from wheelchair users and amputees,\u201d for example.<\/span><\/p>\n Currently, the app\u2014which is free in Brazil\u2014has more than 18,000 registered users and over 10,000 downloads, according to the Google Play Store. Devotee can also be used in the United States, where users must pay a fee to use it. When registering, the person needs to fill in the ICD (International Classification of Diseases), where they indicate their comorbidity.<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>18th Reatech \u2013 International Fair of Inclusion, Accessibility and Rehabilitation presented a new feature in the 2023 edition. For the first time, visitors have access to two official physical stores of the event. There are two kiosks positioned at strategic points, one is located at the entrance of the fair and another near the hippotherapy area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n People can also purchase Reatech Shop products through <\/span>site<\/span><\/a>. At the fair, there are t-shirt options (in two styles, in black and white, and in sizes from S to XL), mugs, cups, pins, and anti-stress devices, all of these products featuring references to inclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPeople are loving the new feature, they are enchanted by our products because it is a keepsake of this moment, and demand has been high, especially for gifts as a souvenir of the trade fair,\u201d commented Monique Lemes, commercial administrative assistant at Fiera Milano Brasil, promoter and organizer of Reatech 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the two days of the fair, approximately 100 products were sold across the two brick-and-mortar stores and the online store. Monique also said that Reatech Shop launched a promotion, lowering the price of the black T-shirt featuring the fair\u2019s logo\u2014a heart that \u2018embraces.\u2019 \u201cIt\u2019s our best-selling product, and to please our customers, we offered a small discount\u2014the price dropped from R$ 55 to R$ 50,\u201d she explained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n T-shirt \u2013 R$ 50 (black)<\/span><\/p>\n T-shirt \u2013 55 (white color)<\/span><\/p>\n Mug \u2013 R$35<\/span><\/p>\n Button \u2013 R$15<\/span><\/p>\n Cup \u2013 R$10<\/span><\/p>\n Stress Relief \u2013 R$8.50<\/span><\/p>\n Have you ever imagined playing basketball in a wheelchair, playing boccia sitting on the floor, and playing soccer without seeing absolutely anything? Visitors to Reatech can experience these sensations and, yes, have a lot of fun. The Brazilian Paralympic Committee's booth is certainly one of the most popular at the event, the Paralympic Arena.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Completely free of charge, people are participating in these three sports every day of the event, which runs until Saturday at the S\u00e3o Paulo Expo. On-site, instructors explain the rules and dynamics of each sport, and then it is literally time to get your hands or feet dirty to play the chosen activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In basketball, people sit in a wheelchair appropriate for the sport and need to dribble the ball twice before moving or attempting a shot at the basket. In boccia, there are two pairs of balls with different colors and weights in which participants must throw the balls (with a difference in weight, the heavier ones are used to knock away the opponent's ball and the lighter ones to get closer to the target), and in blind football, participants are blindfolded and experience the sensation of playing football without seeing anything, listening only to the goalkeeper's directions and the sound of a bell inside the ball.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe public is loving the Paralympic Arena, we are open to everyone with or without disabilities. They learn the sports and end up having a lot of fun, we have no age limits, I advise people to come and practice, because only then, by participating in the experience, can they understand what Paralympic sport is like. In soccer, for example, people think they will be able to play, score goals, and when it starts, without being able to see anything, they just stand there, looking for the ball where it isn't, it's a lot of fun,\u201d commented Ketlen de Souza, one of the Arena's instructors.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to the Paralympic Arena, Reatech 2023 also offers the ADD Arena as an option for sports lovers. <\/span>(Association of Sports for the Disabled). High-level competitions of Paralympic athletes and demonstrations also take place at the venue. There are two official-sized courts, featuring different sports, with instructors and activities every day. On Thursday, the Arena hosted the opening ceremony of the 3rd ADD Paralympic Games, with the participation of para-athletes from different parts of S\u00e3o Paulo.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe made a point of bringing the opening of the games to Reatech, with invited teams. We will have sitting volleyball, 3x3 basketball, rugby, dwarf football\u2014which will be presented at the event for the first time\u2014and Down syndrome football. Here we alternate between high-performance sports for Paralympic athletes and demonstration sports, but with continuous interaction with the fair's public, who can try out all the sports the athletes play on the court. Sport is so cool and inclusive that people with disabilities feel welcomed and equal,\u201d explained Eliane Miada, general director of ADD.<\/span><\/p>\n Brazil is one of the greatest global powerhouses in Paralympic sport. In the last edition of the Paralympic Games, Brazilian athletes placed seventh in the Tokyo 2020 medal standings, reaching the mark of <\/span>22 gold medals, 20 silver, and 30 bronze. With these numbers, Brazil has already surpassed the mark of 100 gold medals in the history of the games. The next Paralympics take place in Paris in 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Technology is also an ally for people who are undergoing rehabilitation, whether through physical therapy or even more invasive treatments, such as catheterization. New Cycle has developed a video game that literally gets children to \u201cplay\u201d and do the necessary physical therapy activities. In the game, it is possible to create an avatar of the child's choice. There are two circuits where the character goes through obstacles that require the requested efforts\u2014meaning that on a treadmill, the child walks and makes the movements necessary for their rehabilitation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are launching a new technology here at the fair, which is game therapy. A child needs to be a child, and nothing is more intuitive than encouraging a child to do physical therapy exercises through a video game; they play and do physical therapy at the same time, explains Higor Pantale\u00e3o, general director of New Cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another innovation in the healthcare sector is being showcased at the Coloplast booth, which brought the \u201cSpeediCatch\u201d hydrophilic catheter. This product allows individuals to perform intermittent catheterization anywhere, as it is compact and features a coating that facilitates insertion and removal from the urethra, while reducing the risk of infections and urethral injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cToday, the most common catheter on the market is made of PVC. Because it is plastic, it is a dry material that ends up causing pain and even injuries to patients. Our device is lubricated and maintains this lubrication both upon entry and exit from the urethra. So, anyone with sensitivity ends up not feeling pain, and as a result, it reduces risks such as infections that can lead to more serious illnesses. And since the device is compact, it ends up providing more freedom and autonomy for people who use the catheter, while also offering a better quality of life, said Juliana Araos, manager of Coloplast's Ativa Program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The second day of the Reatech Congress began with a well-attended panel on the employability of people with disabilities. \u201cPromoting inclusion through the engagement of teams and corporate leadership\u201d was the topic chosen for debate.<\/span><\/p>\n The meeting, which was moderated by journalist Heloisa Rocha, was attended by Marcos da Costa, the S\u00e3o Paulo State Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, who emphasized the importance of employment and entrepreneurship in ensuring autonomy for people with disabilities. Heloisa invited everyone to talk about their backgrounds, as well as the programs their companies implement.<\/span><\/p>\n Gleice Maysa, diversity, career, and performance leader at F1rst, which belongs to Santander Group, highlighted initiatives focused on the recruitment and training of people with disabilities at the bank and its partners. \u201cOur inclusion goals are public, and there is constant monitoring by the group's vice presidents,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n Andrea Cervieri, inclusive culture manager at Volo, and Erika Hamada, director at SouthRock \u2013 which operates brands like Subway and Starbucks in Brazil \u2013, went down a similar path and emphasized that in large and far-reaching companies, the role of leadership is essential. \u201cIt is the foundation of all initiatives. In addition to relying on the support of institutions to hire and train people with disabilities, we promote workshops with our directors so that they engage with the topic and are mindful of unconscious biases,\u201d stated Erika.<\/span><\/p>\n Lucas Kil, administrative operations manager at Ra\u00edzen and himself a person with a disability, detailed the company's relevance to his career evolution. \u201cSince I arrived at Ra\u00edzen ten years ago, I have always seen excellent opportunities and worked hard so that I could grow together with the company,\u201d he said. Meanwhile, Thomaz Barros, director of welcoming at Universal Chemical, finally addressed how the company, headquartered in the small town of Sarapu\u00ed, became a regional reference by embracing the inclusion agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n Reatech, as the leading trade fair in the sector in Latin America, is a prime stage for major companies to showcase what they are doing to incorporate inclusion and diversity into their culture and business strategy. Ita\u00fa, Ra\u00edzen, Mercado Livre, and Santander are some of them.<\/span><\/p>\n Santander, for example, highlighted its exclusive bootcamp for people with disabilities, with applications open until the 26th of this month. It also features a program called \"Habilidade N\u00e3o Tem Limite\" (Ability Has No Limit), which offers job and career transition opportunities for people with disabilities, with or without professional or technical experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe have several initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, with public goals and constant monitoring. Specifically for people with disabilities, in addition to complying with legislation, we work hard to value each individual, understanding their particularities so they feel they belong to our culture, said Gleice Maysa, diversity, career, and performance leader at F1rst, which belongs to the Santander Group.<\/span><\/p>\n Ra\u00edzen is launching an internship program aimed at people with disabilities \u2013 with openings throughout Brazil. \u201cIt is currently the flagship of our inclusion initiative,\u201d said Marilia Lazzeri, the company's culture, diversity, and inclusion manager. According to her, all new interns will receive close monitoring and support, and even leaders are undergoing awareness and training sessions to help them in this process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt's our first time at Reatech. Since we have strong programs, it made sense for us to be here and position our brand. Especially because our projects are long-term,\u201d commented Mar\u00edlia.<\/span><\/p>\n Visitors to Reatech who are looking for a job in the job market can find their dream position at a multinational company. DSM Firmenich Nutri\u00e7\u00e3o, present at the event, is registering people with disabilities and looking for professionals for its staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The company works on the production of different products aimed at animal and human nutrition, as well as the fragrance and flavor sector. In the animal sector, the company produces vitamins and enzymes used in feed. In the human sector, it also produces vitamins for food and cosmetic products, and in fragrances and flavors, they are flavors used in candies and mints.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe manufacture fragrances for products like soaps, aromas that become the flavor of candies, vitamins that are put into animal feed; in short, we have a range of different products and we need new talent in our company, which is why we are at Reatech 2023, exhibiting what we do so that people get to know us and come work with us. We are recruiting future employees,\u201d explained Suzie Thomson, executive nutrition assistant for the animal area at DSM Firmenich.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For those interested in the positions, simply register at the company's booth using a QR Code and filling in your information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wearing a red vest and a heart-shaped pin, it is easy to identify the volunteers at the 18th Reatech \u2013 International Fair for Inclusion, Accessibility, and Rehabilitation. There are about 270 people, including students, professionals from various fields, and retirees, who decided to make themselves available to help welcome the event's public.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cVolunteers undergo basic training on how to assist people with visual impairments and motor limitations or reduced mobility. Anyone who arrives at the volunteer desk can receive information about the fair and assistance from the arrival van all the way to departure,\u201d says Suely Yanez, volunteer coordinator for Reatech.<\/span><\/p>\n Suely explains that the search for newcomers is done spontaneously through the website, but also relies on the participation of veterans who volunteer every year as a way to collaborate with the comfort and safety of visitors, in addition to improving their personal or professional practices. \u201cReatech contributes to the education and training of these volunteers. We have partnerships with universities and students can use their volunteering as complementary hours. In addition, many of them report how much being a volunteer helps during a job interview.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Veteran Ariana Neves, 32, has been a volunteer since 2009, when she started volunteering through a teacher. Since then, Ariana, who is a physical education teacher, has accepted the challenge every year. \u201cIt is exciting to revisit the friendships that began at the fair and to reunite with the people we guided years ago. The connections we make here are what I value most. It's what keeps me coming back,\u201d says the teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the 62-year-old retiree Armando Tafner Neto is volunteering at the fair for the second time, but he is a \u201cprofessional\u201d volunteer and participates in many events across various segments. Among the greatest lessons learned from Reatech, according to the retiree, is the exchange that allows him to improve and become a more inclusive person. \u201cHere I am practicing Brazilian Sign Language (Libras); at others, I've practiced other languages,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The corporate world has proven to be quite hostile when it comes to the inclusion of people with disabilities. In their desperation to meet mandatory quotas, companies have forgotten that it is not just about hiring a person in this condition to comply with the Law. It is necessary to promote an inclusive culture that goes beyond legal protocols.<\/span><\/p>\n On the second day of the Reatech Congress, visitors were able to check out the panel <\/span>Essential Questions for Measuring Accessibility Maturity in Companies<\/span><\/i>. Among the guests was Marco Pellegrini, a member of the board of directors of AME (Association of Exceptional Metro Workers). Quadriplegic since 1991, Marco knows the challenges encountered in the job market and highlights the three main obstacles to be overcome by companies to promote true accessibility.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFirst, companies do need to open positions, but they also need to open opportunities for people with disabilities to hold leadership positions. The second point is to understand that there are other alternatives to achieve the same results, which is why it is necessary to demystify the use of assistive technologies and company culture in the protocols for how tasks are executed. And finally, to know that accessibility goes far beyond ABNT standards. Those are just the bare minimum. We need to look at the specific needs of each person with a disability to make the proper adaptations,\u201d she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n Also participating in the panel were Claudia Valeriano, national training manager for Subway, Samuel Hugo Lima, appellate judge and president of TRT-15, and Thiago Teba Pereira, general director of the Adimax Institute. The conversation was moderated by Marcelo Pires, CEO of Consolidar.<\/span><\/p>\n Physical therapy practice relies on allies that, in addition to helping with rehabilitation, entertain patients. Virtual reality and traditional video games are already an option used by physical therapists to assist in the rehabilitation of, for example, elderly people with Parkinson's disease or who have suffered a stroke, and children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. A playful form of clinical practice that has generated results just as positive as conventional practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Eduardo Pompeu, Associate Professor of the Physiotherapy Course at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of S\u00e3o Paulo (USP), was one of the speakers on the second day of Reamed \u2013 Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. During the lecture <\/span>The Future of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation,<\/span><\/i> The professor talked about the studies he conducted using this technology and how patients have responded to this clinical practice.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe already have many studies showing the use of commercial video games like Nintendo and Xbox for the benefit of patients. There are low- and high-cost options, but with very similar results. It is possible to buy the device and use it at home. With practice, it is possible to improve balance, gait, and even cognition itself. Many of my patients bought them to continue the intervention at home, explains the professor.<\/span><\/p>\n Service:<\/b><\/p>\n Reatech 2023 \u2013 International Fair of Technologies for Rehabilitation, Inclusion and Accessibility<\/b><\/p>\n October 4 to 7<\/span><\/p>\n Hours: from 1 PM to 8 PM on the 4th, 5th, and 6th; from 10 AM to 7 PM on the 7th<\/span><\/p>\n Location: S\u00e3o Paulo Expo \u2013 Pavilions 3 and 4<\/span><\/p>\n Address: Rodovia dos Imigrantes, 1.5 km \u2013 Vila \u00c1gua Funda, S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 SP<\/span><\/p>\n Free transport<\/span> starting from 1 hour before until 1 hour after the street market's operating hours. Departure from Santos-Imigrantes Subway Station \u2013 R. Engenheiro Guilherme Winter, s\/n.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More information <\/span>in this link<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Access photo gallery <\/span>here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n About Fiera Milano Brasil<\/b><\/p>\n Fiera Milano Brasil<\/span> it is<\/span> Brazilian subsidiary of Fiera Milano, one of the world's largest trade fair and congress players, which each year attracts approximately 30,000 exhibitors and more than five million visitors<\/span>. <\/span>In Brazil, there are <\/span>seven<\/span> fairs representing the most diverse segments of the economy, such as security, clean and renewable energies, pipes and fittings, cables, occupational health, rehabilitation technologies, inclusion and accessibility, among others. Among the main brands in the portfolio are Exposec, Fisp, Fire Show, Congresso Ecoenergy, Reatech, <\/span>Tubotech and Wire South America. More information: <\/span>www.fieramilanobrasil.com.br<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Press Information<\/b><\/p>\nReatech Shop is one of the new features at the accessibility fair taking place until Saturday in S\u00e3o Paulo\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
Prices of products at the market\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
Paralympic sport awakens sensations and wins the hearts of visitors at Reatech 2023\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
Brazil is one of the major highlights in Paralympic sport.<\/b><\/h4>\n
New products for rehabilitation and health\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
Employability and the role of corporate leadership in inclusion<\/b><\/h4>\n
Careers: Ra\u00edzen and Santander have programs aimed at people with disabilities\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
Multinational offers jobs for people with disabilities at Reatech 2023<\/b><\/h4>\n
Reatech has 270 volunteers to welcome the public during the four days of the fair<\/b><\/h4>\n
Far beyond ABNT: Congress addresses accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities in the corporate world<\/b><\/h4>\n
Virtual reality and traditional video games become rehabilitation tools<\/b><\/h4>\n