We welcome you to Brazil, one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating countries

We are a country of contrasts. Our natural resources are unsurpassed by almost any other place on earth. We have rainforests, deserts, mountain ranges, and several thousand miles of Atlantic coastline. Brazil is becoming increasingly a tourist giant and yet, many regions, including the coastline are not near any development. This creates a sense of remoteness. Century-old towns, like Parati, prove that time can stopped in our minds. Winter in the Southeast (where Sao Paulo is) brings a new contrast with the green lust that predominated during the summer time. From May until September, while the rain still falls in many states countrywide, an arid Fall-like scene stands out in the state of Sao Paulo. We are the largest country in Latin America, and the fifth largest in the world. Our population is also big: over 170 million people, the sixth largest in the world. Almost all Brazilians speak Portuguese. Despite many paradoxes, Brazil is a modern and advanced country. We are considered the “silo of the world.” In the next few years Brazil will be one of the top emerging economies in the world, called the BRIC block (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Brazil is one of the fastest growing Internet systems as well as a have a rapidly growing middle-class. And yet, we still struggle with hunger and illiteracy. More than 50 percent of the population is functionally illiterate. Together, the modern sophisticates share the urban geography with the poor; shantytowns, or favelas, as we call them, are a visible and dangerous problem for Brazilians.

Brazil is a land of paradoxes

The contrast of the modern with the picturesque small towns challenges anyone about life values. You realize that the slow pace of a small town is a constant reminder to take the time to ‘smell the roses.’ We have a history of pacific relations with all nations, and we are a gateway to other South American countries, setting trends, sharing and exchanging our popular and academic cultures. Brazilians are playful, outgoing, love parties and celebrate a lot. We have many, many holidays and carnival is one of the major celebrations. We are a land of friendly people with diverse cultures and stark contrasts. We have a history of pacific relations with all nations, and we are a gateway to other South American countries, setting trends, sharing and exchanging our popular and academic cultures. Our interracial blend creates a mystic, diverse, and complex population with no clear boundaries, but with a mosaic of ethnic cultures.

Why brazil?

Brazil as any other developing country struggles with poverty, infantile labor, acculturation of rain forest people, violence and many urban challenges. Rapidly development gave Brazil vulnerability…a vulnerability associated with imported influences from other cultures. For instance, media has done many disservices, especially to women and minorities, and affected consumer behavior profoundly. Here in Brazil you will find skyscrapers and mud huts, heart surgeons and faith healers, forest people and Gap-dressed technophiles. You will also find a group of dedicated pioneer researchers and professionals in the field of physical education with many affiliations with related areas.

Why APA is so important

APA area was installed officially in 1987, even though there are some indications of early development, provably in the late 70s. Today, 470 schools of PE should include APA. The lack of incentive, clear legislation and effective government administrations placed the universities, perhaps, as the only institutions for disseminating APA. Inclusion imposed by a federal law caught professional unprepared in schools to work with children in mixed settings. Children with disabilities were traditionally being educated in segregated environments. Over the years, we have explored methodologies and strategies in many PE settings. Peer tutoring, adapting materials and instructions, combining different age groups, even different species as the canine therapy. University programs are, with their unique efforts, giving the students confidence to work professionally, to become advocated for diversity in its true meaning; these programs are giving to many individuals unique experiences and breaking down stereotypes. All of those involved with APA are realizing things about empowerment, about friendship, and about honoring and respecting difference as a positive trait in human beings. Sports for the disabled has contributed so much for breaking the silence and invisibility of the disabled. Brazilian athletes with disability are heroes and surpassed number of medals of their non-disabled peers (in Athens Brazilians brought a difference of 33 to 10 medals, cumulating 136 to 65 medals since their first participation). Although they made history in our Olympian participation, little support is available to paralympian athletes. Invariably they go back to anonymous. 

About the city of Rio Claro

Rio Claro is a small city (168,218 people) located in the state of São Paulo, about 180 km northwest of the city of São Paulo. The nearest international airport is in Campinas, about an hour-and-a-half away by car. São Paulo’s international airport (GRU) is about a two-and-a-half hour drive. Exotic beach and coastal locations are about four hours away by car or bus, and a number of interesting locales can be easily reached by car. Founded in June of 1827, Rio Claro has the facilities and conveniences of a typical small town. Located between two larger cities, Piracicaba (population 1 million) and Campinas (population two million), Rio Claro hosts numerous hotels and restaurants. A variety of cultural and social events, as well as friendly shopkeepers, make visitors feel welcome. The city regularly supports UNESP’s scientific and cultural events, conferences, and festivals by making available the use of its public spaces, parks, and transportation systems. Near the urban area is the Horto Forest, covering 2,314.80 ha.