Asproseat & Brainlab Fira: Innovating for an Inclusive Future

At Brainlab Fira, we recognize that genuine innovation cannot happen in a vacuum—it must reflect and serve the diverse needs of every community member. Our commitment to inclusive design, technology for social good, and collaborative problem-solving drives us to highlight organizations whose values mirror our own. Asproseat is one such organization: since its founding in 1979, this Catalonia-based nonprofit collective has worked tirelessly to support people with intellectual disabilities and those at risk of social exclusion, offering not just care but pathways to empowerment, autonomy, and meaningful participation in society.

Who Is Asproseat?

Founded by a group of families seeking better educational opportunities and social services for their children, Asproseat has grown from a small local initiative into a multifaceted organization that serves hundreds of people each year across Barcelona and surrounding regions. The underlying philosophy remains constant: every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and the chance to develop to their fullest potential. Founded by a group of families seeking better educational opportunities and special services for their children,

Over four decades, Asproseat has refined a range of programs that span early intervention, childhood and adolescent education, adult support services, employment, and family respite—each carefully designed to foster personal growth, community integration, and long-term well-being.

Educational Programs

Central to Asproseat’s work is its Centre Pilot Sant Just, a school created specifically for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders, behavioral challenges, and intellectual disabilities. Here, individualized learning plans are developed in close collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teams of educators, therapists, psychologists, and social workers. By tailoring every aspect of the curriculum—not only academic content but also life skills, social communication, and recreational activities—the Centre Pilot helps students build confidence, independence, and peer relationships in a nurturing environment.

Over the years, many graduates have successfully transitioned to mainstream educational settings or vocational training programs, demonstrating the impact of early, customized support.

Adult Support Services

For adults who need ongoing assistance, Asproseat operates several day centers and residential facilities where individuals can pursue personal interests, develop daily living skills, and enjoy a sense of community. These centers are more than mere “care facilities”; they serve as hubs for social interaction, creative expression, and skill-building.

Workshops in art, music, cooking, and sensory therapy run alongside physical exercise classes, gardening projects, and group outings. Residential services, designed to replicate a family home atmosphere, offer long-term lodging for adults with complex needs—ensuring continuity of care and stability that many families simply cannot provide on their own.

Through a combination of structured activities and open social spaces, residents and day-center participants forge friendships, develop routines, and experience the same dignity and personal agency we all deserve.

Home Support and Respite Programs

Recognizing that family caregivers often bear a significant emotional and logistical burden, Asproseat provides a spectrum of home support and respite programs. Professional teams visit homes to assist with daily tasks, from meal preparation to personal hygiene, always with an emphasis on promoting autonomy rather than dependence. During these visits, caregivers receive guidance on communication techniques, behavioral strategies, and ways to adapt the home environment to each individual’s needs.

Respite services—ranging from short-term stays at dedicated facilities to weekend drop-in programs—allow families to recharge, knowing their loved one is in capable, empathetic hands. This combination of in‐home support and intermittent relief is crucial, as it reduces caregiver burnout and helps families maintain healthier relationships.

Employment Initiatives

Perhaps one of Asproseat’s most noteworthy contributions is its network of Special Work Centers (Centros Especiales de Trabajo, or CET). These centers illustrate how inclusive employment is not only a moral imperative but also an economic opportunity. By providing real jobs—complete with salaries, job coaches, and ongoing professional development—to people with disabilities, Asproseat’s CETs demonstrate the tangible benefits of workplace diversity.

Currently, their centers offer services such as packaging and labeling for manufacturing clients, logistics and distribution support, industrial cleaning, and facility maintenance for local businesses. Rather than a sheltered workshop model where participants do menial tasks, Asproseat integrates each employee into client projects, sets clear performance goals, and encourages collaboration with external teams.

This approach fosters both technical skills and soft skills—communication, time management, problem solving—and often leads to supported transitions into mainstream employment.

Beyond direct employment, Asproseat advises companies on how to build accessible, inclusive workplaces. From consulting on physical modifications like ramps and ergonomic workstations to training HR personnel in inclusive hiring practices and reasonable accommodations, Asproseat acts as a bridge between the business community and the disability population.

These partnerships not only increase the talent pool available to Catalan companies but also foster a culture of empathy and social responsibility across industries. Many partner companies have adopted flexible scheduling policies, mentorship programs, and internship pathways specifically for people with intellectual disabilities, creating a ripple effect that extends well beyond Asproseat’s own centers.

Future Vision

Inclusive innovation is not a one‐off project; it’s a continuous journey of listening, co‐designing, testing, and iterating. As Brainlab Fira continues to grow as a collaborative space for social and technological entrepreneurship in Barcelona and beyond, we remain inspired by organizations like Asproseat.

Their commitment to dignity, empowerment, and lifelong support reminds us that technology without empathy risks widening existing gaps rather than closing them. Together, we will explore new ways to scale impact—through technology, research, and community engagement—ensuring that no one is left behind as we build a more equitable, participatory society.