On November 28, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing (FCSE) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa hosted the COMUNICAR 2025 Congress, dedicated to the theme “Complex Communication Needs and Assistive Technologies.” The meeting took place in the Cardeal Medeiros Auditorium, on the Palma de Cima Campus, and brought together clinicians, researchers, educators, families, and caregivers with the aim of sharing experiences, practices, and intervention projects.
Continuing on from previous editions, COMUNICAR 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to giving a “voice” to people with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, as well as to the professionals and caregivers who accompany them on a daily basis. Throughout the day, scientific panels, practical sessions, and debates were presented on challenges related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), and the role of Assistive Technologies (AT) in promoting participation, rehabilitation, and inclusion.
More than just an academic conference, the event sought to generate social impact, reinforcing the importance of Assistive Technologies and promoting collaborative networks between professionals, institutions, and families, with the aim of contributing to a more inclusive society.
This year's edition also stood out for its digital reach: the live broadcast on Facebook exceeded 1,000 views and on YouTube reached more than 200 participants, significantly amplifying the impact and dissemination of AAC and the reflections shared throughout the conference. Watch the stream here
The congress, which brought together more than 300 participants, was supported by the MEO Foundation—whose work promotes the use of technology in the service of inclusion, accessibility, and digital literacy—and ANDITEC, a leading company in Portugal in the field of assistive technologies for complex communication needs.
This conference also paid tribute to Luís Azevedo for his research career in the field of Alternative and Augmentative Communication.
