Created in memory of Dr. Maria Lutegarda, former Director of the AFID Diferença Foundation, this award, dedicated to scientific research in the field of Rehabilitation, aims to encourage and engage researchers, scholars, professionals, and the academic community at large in the creation and development of research and innovation projects focused on rehabilitation and intervention for people with disabilities.
It also seeks to promote the social inclusion, autonomy, and participation of people with disabilities in society; to combat discrimination based on disability; and to foster equal opportunities and citizenship for people with disabilities. Furthermore, it aims to contribute to the dissemination of best practices in intervention, ultimately improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.