AfetAções possíveis entre Ciência e Acessibilidade: pauta para novos fazeres

AfetAções possíveis entre Ciência e Acessibilidade: pauta para novos fazeres

Possible Affect-Actions between Science and Accessibility: an agenda for new practices

🎙 Scientiarum Historia 👥 510 📅 October 7, 2026 ⏱ 107 min 👁 14 📄 debate 🧭 2026-10-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

accessibilitydisabilityinclusionassistive technologycultural access

Summary

This panel discussion, held as part of the Scientiarum Historia 19 event at UFRJ, explores the intersection of science, technology, and accessibility. The speakers—Juliana Coutinho, a writer and disability advocate; Marcele Carvalho, an occupational therapist and professor; and Andreia Chiesorin, a dancer and anti-ableist activist—present on the need to move beyond physical ramps and traditional accessibility measures. They propose multiple dimensions of accessibility, including aesthetic and poetic accessibility, cultural access, and relational and transformative accessibility. Juliana shares her experience as a wheelchair user and introduces concepts like ’nothing about us without us’ and the importance of disability as co-authorship. Marcele discusses the barriers to sports participation for children with disabilities, highlighting the high costs of assistive devices and the lack of opportunities. Andreia is introduced but her full talk is not captured in this transcript. The conversation emphasizes that accessibility must be inclusive of all aspects of life, including arts, sports, and everyday experiences, and that people with disabilities must be protagonists in these efforts. The discussion also references specific projects and plans such as Praia para Todos, Dosvox, and Brazil’s Viver Sem Limite program.

185 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of this discussion lies in its comprehensive framing of accessibility beyond physical adaptations, introducing conceptual dimensions that are rarely addressed in mainstream discourse. The speakers argue persuasively that accessibility is not merely about removing barriers but about creating a culture where disabled people are co-authors and protagonists. Their arguments are supported by personal narratives and references to academic work, which lends authenticity and urgency. The presentation of diverse perspectives—from occupational therapy, activism, and the arts—enriches the argumentation, though the reliance on anecdotal evidence and the absence of concrete data weaken the scientific rigor in certain parts. The call for systemic change, including policy and technological innovation, is well articulated and aligns with broader global movements for disability rights.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate; the panelists are clearly knowledgeable and cite prominent references such as the ’nothing about us without us’ principle and the work of scholars like Olivia Vade and Márcia Moraes. However, specific data and empirical evidence are scarce, and the arguments are primarily driven by personal experience and philosophical assertions. The title is adequately matching the content, though it uses a creative phrasing that might not immediately convey the practical focus on new approaches. The quality of sources is mixed: while some mentioned works are academic and well-known, others are self-references or personal projects, which are valid but not independent. No contradictory evidence is presented, and the discussion remains within a consensus of inclusive values.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the central theme of the intersection between science and accessibility, and the proposition of new approaches to this relationship.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The panel features experts with relevant qualifications and personal experience in disability and accessibility. The discussion is well-structured and grounded in academic and activist frameworks, but relies heavily on anecdotal and advocacy perspectives rather than systematic evidence.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Transpareço (book) — Mentioned by Juliana Coutinho as one of her published works, reflecting on accessibility and inclusion.
  • Transgrido (book) — Juliana Coutinho's book, offered for a raffle during the panel, addresses themes of disability and transformation.
  • Praia para Todos (project) — An initiative mentioned as providing accessibility for disabled people to access the beach and the sea.
  • Dosvox (software) — A screen reader system developed by moderator Antonio Borges, cited as an example of assistive technology.
  • The Broken Column by Frida Kahlo — Used as a visual example to explain aesthetic and poetic accessibility, where the artist displays her own disability.
  • Plano Viver Sem Limite (government plan) — Mentioned as a Brazilian federal program aimed at guaranteeing accessibility and assistive technology for people with disabilities.
  • Colegas (film) — A film made by actors with Down syndrome, cited as an example of cultural access and disability protagonism.

Concurring Sources

Contribution & Novelties

This panel offers a holistic and critical perspective on accessibility, moving beyond traditional notions of ramps and signage to include aesthetic, cultural, and relational dimensions. The contributions from practitioners and activists bring fresh insights into how science and technology can be reoriented to serve disabled individuals as active agents. The discussion also highlights the socio-economic barriers to assistive technology, which are often overlooked. Its originality lies in the integration of diverse fields—art, sports, policy, and academia—within the framework of disability studies.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Nothing about us without us — A core principle in disability rights, emphasizing that disabled people must be involved in decisions affecting them. This concept underpins many arguments in the panel.
  • Disability studies — An academic field that examines disability from social, cultural, and political perspectives, providing a theoretical foundation for the discussion on accessibility dimensions.
  • Assistive technology — This field includes products and systems that enhance the independence and participation of disabled people, directly related to the practical examples mentioned, such as Dosvox and prosthetics.

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Radar Profile

The scores indicate a robust quantity of information (8) and moderate technicality (5), suggesting an accessible yet comprehensive discussion. The quality of information (7) and global reliability (7) are consistent, reflecting a well-argued but not highly technical or evidence-dense presentation.

Reliability 7/10