Access to leisure activities and services, especially at local facilities, is essential to ensure the well-being and health of people with intellectual disabilities. These spaces help reduce social isolation, promote community interaction, and enhance visibility and recognition of diversity.

However, people with disabilities often face significant barriers when trying to access these resources. One of the main challenges is the lack of accessible and adapted information. Traditional communication channels often fail to reach this audience, or the materials provided are not easy to understand. This makes it a priority to develop new ways to share information so that individuals and their support networks are aware of the activities and services available, enabling them to engage actively in their communities.

In this Innobreak, we will introduce two initiatives that use mobile applications to promote and facilitate access to activities and services for this group. These tools not only expand knowledge of available opportunities but also encourage a collaborative and supportive model among users, families, educators, and professionals.

• Jooay (Canada), created by researchers from McGill University, is an app designed to help children with disabilities and their families find nearby leisure options that are accessible and tailored to their needs and preferences. The platform also fosters a community of support and learning by enabling communication between families, professionals, and educators.

• VinculApp (Catalonia), created by the Fundació Ampans, is a mobile app that provides a curated collection of adapted resources, including tools, leisure activities, and specific services for people with disabilities and/or mental health conditions, as well as their families. The app includes a private area that facilitates smoother communication between the person’s family environment and the direct care professionals and social services staff involved.

Speakers:

• Keiko Shikako i Ebrahim Mahmoudi, Jooay (Canada)
• Joel Costa, VinculApp (Catalonia)