APAE of Ponta Grossa wants to expand services and create 100% sensory unit

The APAE of Ponta Grossa presented a project to expand the service and transform the institution into a 100% sensory unit. The proposal was presented on Wednesday (23), during the Free Tribune of Câmara Municipal, and seeks to adapt the structure to the needs of the students. The organization currently serves about 411 people and has approximately 120 children in line.

The presentation was made by representatives of the School of Educação Básica Professor Maria of Lourdes Canziani, maintained by the Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptionals (APAE).

The administrative assistant Kauany Bechinski and Gustavo Cabral Nunes, member of the board of the institution, presented to the councilors the work developed by the entity and the projects planned to improve the service structure.

During the participation in the Chamber, the representatives highlighted that the institution has been operating in the municipality for 60 years and faces a growing demand for its services.

APAE of Ponta Grossa has 120 children in queue

One of the main points presented during the Free Tribune was the need to expand the capacity of the institution.

Currently, the APAE of Ponta Grossa serves about 411 people, while approximately 120 children are waiting for an opportunity to join the services offered by the entity.

According to the representatives, the expansion of the structure is necessary to meet the demand of families seeking the institution.

“When we talk in queue, we’re not just talking about a number on a spreadsheet. We are talking about children, families, mothers and fathers who are waiting for the opportunity for their children to have access to the care they need,” said Kauany.

The proposal presented to the councilors foresees changes in the organization of internal spaces, allowing areas currently used for administrative activities to be destined again to educational care.

Project plans to transform APAE into a 100% sensory unit

Another initiative presented by the entity is the transformation of the APAE of Ponta Grossa into a 100% sensory unit, with adaptations to meet the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

According to the representatives, the profile of the people served by the institution has changed over the years.

Previously, there was a predominance of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. Currently, the APAE registers an increase in the demand for people with autism, which requires adaptations in the physical structure and in the form of care.

The institution is working on the proposal to become the first 100% sensory unit in Brazil, as presented during the Free Tribune.

Some changes have already been implemented, including changes in the sounds used at the entrance and during the snack intervals.

The colors of the walls were also modified to shades considered more appropriate to the sensory needs of the students.

“These details make a total difference in the day to day and show us that we are beginning to adapt our institution to a reality that has changed,” Kauany explained.

New dining room may allow for enlargement of classrooms

Among the projects presented by APAE is the construction of a new cafeteria, considered necessary to improve the organization of meals and expand the use of internal spaces.

According to the institution, the current refectory practically follows the 60 years of operation of the entity and no longer adequately serves the amount of people who use the place.

Due to space limitations, snack schedules need to be divided between different classes.

While one group uses the dining room, the others wait for the sanitization of the environment so that they can enter.

APAE reported that it already has a kitchen structure with organizational conditions close to those of an industrial kitchen, but needs a new space for meals.

With the construction of the cafeteria, the institution intends to reorganize the administrative area, transferring sectors such as direction, coordination and secretariat to the upper floor.

The change would allow to recover approximately ten classrooms that are currently used for administrative activities.

These spaces could once again receive classes, contributing to the expansion of the APAE capacity of Ponta Grossa.

APAE Health provides nutritional monitoring

Another initiative presented to councilors was the APAE Saúde project, which provides for the expansion of nutritional monitoring offered to students and staff of the institution.

The proposal includes the structuring of specific spaces for attendance, including a room intended for individual follow-up with a nutritionist.

According to the representatives, the objective is to provide an individualized service, considering the needs of each person served.

The initiative is part of the projects to improve the structure and services offered by the institution.

Representatives invite councillors to meet the institution

At the end of the presentation, the representatives of APAE invited the councilors of Ponta Grossa to visit the entity and personally know the spaces used by students and professionals.

The intention is to present the structural needs of the institution and the projects developed to expand the capacity to attend. “We want to present the APAE project to the councilors and, above all, to invite them to know our work,” said Kauany.

The projects presented include the construction of the new cafeteria, the reorganization of the classrooms, sensory adaptations and the expansion of nutritional monitoring.

The institution did not report, during the reported presentation, a schedule of execution of the works or the investment necessary to put all the proposals into practice.