Associação de Paraplégicos de Uberlândia – APARU
- Location
- Uberlândia, Minas Gerais
- Backed in
- 2011
- Covered areas
- Human Rights and Civic Engagement
BrazilFoundation 10 anos
Founded in 1979, APARU is an organization established and led by people with physical disabilities who defend human rights and improvements of lives of those with disabilities. In 2003, BrazilFoundation supported the project Qualificando para Empregar, which is now in its seventh year. The project has helped to employ 354 people with physical disabilities. APARU has had a strong role in adapting the city of Uberlândia for people with disabilities.
Some of its projects are nationally known, such as the campaign ”Uberlândia Without Barriers” and the proposition to make the interstate public transportation accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Currently, APARU is working in partnership with the local authorities and it is developing campaigns for athletes with disabilities as well as awareness campaigns against discrimination. In 2010, APARU received the Human Rights award in the category: ”Guarantee of the Rights of People with Disabilities”, granted by the Human Rights Secretariary of the Brazilian President.