Last Friday, the 27th, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Institut Guttmann, an event was held presented by journalist Mònica Terribas, broadcasted online by youtube and the main social networks. It was not only a celebratory event but also a space to think about new challenges. Nearly 1,300 people virtually approached the institution to share this moment.

Under the title “Building the future day by day”, the Institut Guttmann showed its commitment to continue being a leading organization in Neurorehabilitation and Brain Health but also to continue working and building a new social discourse of disability based on innovation and social transformation, with the aim of working together with associations of people with disabilities to achieve the creation of new public policies that ensure equity and social justice. And it is from this commitment to social innovation that the event was the starting point for the new PARTICIPA social research project, which claims the need for the social participation of people with disabilities.

The Institut Guttmann had the collaboration of leading figures in the political field such as the former Minister of Social Affairs of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Dolors Bassa; the Councilor for Culture of Barcelona City Council, Joan Subirats, or the Director General of Public Policies of the Government of Spain, Jesús Ángel Celada. The journalist Iñaki Gabilondo, who explained the relationship and the vision that the media has given of disability throughout his 50 years of profession; the judge and politician Manuela Carmena who reflected on accessible cities and livable cities; the lawyer and writer Jordi Cabré; or the rally driver, Albert Llovera who, in the first person, reflected his struggle to run in the world rally championships or the Dakar.

Associations of people with disabilities were also represented with Antonio Centeno, social activist and advocate of the Independent Living Movement; Montserrat Garcia, member of ECOM and expert in accessibility, gender equality and social participation policies; and Anxo Queiruga, president of COCEMFE, in a very interesting and critical debate.

Musicians Ignasi Terraza and Andrea Motis accompanied us and surprised us all with a Christmas carol composed for the Institut Guttmann professionals!

Thank you all for joining us.