Research and Innovation Award on Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disorders

These awards, organized by the AMPANS Foundation, are among the only ones in Spain and few in all of Europe that promote research and innovation to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders.

Presentation

AMPANS announces the Research and Innovation Award on Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disorders every two years, which recognizes the work of people, teams and entities to promote knowledge and improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities intellectual and developmental disorders.

The Award contemplates two modalities: Research and Innovation.​

The work can cover any aspect related to people with intellectual disabilities and/or developmental disorders.

Supported by:

Basis of the Award

The mission of the AMPANS foundation is to accompany and support people with intellectual disabilities or in situations of vulnerability in the development of their life project.

It is the will of the AMPANS foundation to promote knowledge and encourage innovative experiences aimed at improving the quality of life of people with Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disorders within the economic-cultural environment of the foundation.

Download the bases

Open call

From January 1 to December 31, 2023

Individual registration

Inscripció col·lectiu

Entity registration

Collection of works awarded in the last edition

Research Category

First prize

"TEAm_YOUNG ADULTS program: promoting self-determination in young adults with autism spectrum disorder"
Clara Andrés, Cristina Mumbardó, Núria Farriols, Antoni Maria Gómez i Teresa Pretel
The jury has assessed the creation of a skills development program related to self-determination specifically aimed at young people with autism spectrum disorder based on the translation and adaptation of other programs and techniques and the creation of new content until setting up a didactic unit of 20 sessions within a research framework where it is difficult to find works focused specifically on this group of people.

Second prize

"People with intellectual disabilities in prison"
Leticia Muñoz García-Largo
The jury highlighted the significant sample of incarcerated people in the present descriptive study and the detailed analysis of sociodemographic, criminological, penitentiary and clinical variables. The results showed a prevalence of intellectual disability significantly higher than most of the studies described in the scientific literature. The analysis of the aforementioned variables led to important results with statistical significance in relation to age at admission, educational level, school dropout, age of onset of criminal career, participation in workshops, drug use, or suicide attempts.

Third prize

"Does educational activity have a real impact on the knowledge and sexual and affective attitudes of people with intellectual disabilities?"
Jordi Fernandez Suriñach
The jury awarded the design of an educational program for improving attitudes towards affectivity and sexuality in people with intellectual disabilities based on the adaptation of the Saludiversex program, to which other themes emerged from the analysis of expert literature and demands from people with disabilities were added.

Innovation Category

First prize

"Essens: fibro-stimulatory wearable technology against stereotyped behaviors in people with autism and intellectual disability"
Cristina Santamarina Siutana, Vicente Cloquell Ballester i Cooperativa Valenciana Koynos
The jury valued the clarity, structure, and adaptability during the design and manufacturing process of the ESSENS device, a wrist-worn portable device capable of producing high-frequency vibration stimuli with the aim of reducing stereotyped behaviors that interfere with the basic activities of life for people with ASD and intellectual disabilities.

Second prize

"Intrapreneurship as a strategy for improving the quality of life and sustainable development"
Corporación Crear Unidos
The jury highlighted the "Café Crear Unidos" initiative as an innovative solution in the Colombian context for training and creating jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. The creation of this initiative exemplifies benchmarking processes, knowledge transfer, and alliance creation, all combined in a process of assessment and training for candidate individuals.

Third prize

"Gamification as a tool for improving engagement, work climate, and service quality in support provision for people with intellectual disabilities"
Fernando Sánchez Rodríguez
The jury awarded the development of a game that exemplifies gamification in generating new models of learning and professional competencies development. The project stands out for the rigor in its planning, the development of its phases, and the analysis of results, with the latter being significant for professionals.

Members of the jury

Sr. Sebastià Catllà

President
Founding partner of the metallurgical company Oliva Torras, and currently Group President. Founder of Celler el Molí, producer of Vins del Collbaix.

Patron and founder of the Practical Training Center, and currently also a member of the Executive Committee of the Manresa Sociosanitària Foundation (FSSM).

Sr. Pere Rueda

Vocal
Promoter of the Research and Innovation Award on people with intellectual disabilities. With extensive experience in the world of disability, he was responsible for the Sectoral Program Area for Persons with Disabilities of the Department of Social Welfare of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

He has been vice-president of AEECRM and professor of the "Early Care Master's Degree" in Blanquerna and the "Master's Degree in Intellectual Disability" at the Catholic University of Valencia".

Sr. Carles Campuzano

Vocal
President of the Acsar Foundation since April 2012 and member of the Advisory Board of various entities in the Third Sector and the social economy. Member of the cooperative that publishes Alternativas Económicas, and member of the Public Affairs Council for the Promotion of Work. Director of Dincat since 2019.

Representing DINCAT, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Third Sector Board, where he serves as secretary and of the Executive Committee of COCARMI and Vice-President of the Health and Social Services Commission of PIMEC.

Sr. Xavier Gironès

Vocal
Research and Innovation Director of the Fundació Universitària del Bages (FUB), Manresa Campus of the UVic-UCC.

PhD in Biology from the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), specialized in neuroscience, human aging and the management of cultural projects, scientific research and transformative innovation.

Technical Coordinator of the Territorial Specialization and Competitiveness Project (PECT) BAGESS (Big data, Analysis, Management and Strategy in Health and Social).

Dr. Climent Giné

Vocal
Doctor in Psychology and Emeritus Professor of the Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna of the Ramon Llull University. Professor of the FPCEE of the URL since 1995; and dean from 2004 to 2013.

Principal researcher of the Research Group "Disability and Quality of Life: Educational Aspects".

Dr. Delfín Montero

Vocal
Doctor in Psychology and pedagogue, Professor of the department. of Social Pedagogy and Diversity and director of the University Master's in Special Educational Needs.

He is a member of Siglo Cero's Editorial Board. He has collaborated with AETAPI, of which he is a member. Among his publications, adaptations of tools on adaptive behavior stand out.

Sr. Amador Beiro

Vocal
Technician responsible for research at the Department of Work, Social Affairs and Families of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Graduate in Research and Market Techniques from the University of Barcelona. Degree in Psychology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Dr. Joaquim Serrahima

Vocal
Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Barcelona. Master's in Hospital Management by ESADE Business School.

Since 2004, he has directed Catalònia Fundació Creactiva, a group of non-profit entities with headquarters in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona) that provides care services residential, homes, day centers and special work center for more than 800 users. They have a workforce that exceeds 700 professionals.

Dr. David González

Vocal
Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the UB, and in Marketing Management from EADA. Master in Molecular Oncology from the Francisco de Vitoria University and in Medical Documentation from the Catalan Institute of New Professions and Nixdorf-Siemens.

He has extensive experience in the medical and R&D areas of the ESTEVE group. He is currently Global Head of Pain and Medical Lead for Ophthalmology, Consumer Care, Central Nervous System, Respiratory and Pain.

Sr. Toni Espinal

Secretary
Director General of AMPANS for more than 30 years. Expert in the management and provision of services to people, he has promoted and consolidated the implementation of the excellence model in quality management EFQM in the entity.

President of the Catalan Coordinator of Residential Centers 2004 - 2008, founding member of FOCA for quality and of executive boards of various social organizations.