Associação de Cegos do Rio Grande do Sul - ACERGS

What Associação de Cegos do Rio Grande do Sul - ACERGS does

Associação de Cegos do Rio Grande do Sul - ACERGS is a Brazilian nonprofit civil association (associação civil sem fins lucrativos) founded on October 20, 1967, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, by Professor Waldin de Lima, a UFRGS pedagogue and national reference in Braille and Soroban education. The organization is governed by and primarily serves people who are blind or have low vision, operating from two owned facilities in Porto Alegre: an administrative headquarters and rehabilitation center in Centro Histórico (Rua Vigário José Inácio, 433, 6º andar) and a social headquarters in Vila Nova (Av. Monte Cristo, 450) used for events, sports coordination, and cultural activities.

ACERGS delivers an integrated portfolio of specialized services: rehabilitation (orientation and mobility, occupational therapy, psychology), assistive technology training on screen readers and magnification tools, a Braille Production Center with 15+ years of experience producing adapted printed materials for businesses and institutions, employability services via a partnership with Sine Municipal, legal aid, social services, sociocultural activities, and a parasport program spanning goalball, Paralympic judo, athletics, tandem cycling, and adapted chess. The organization has 12 employees and approximately 83 voting members as of 2024, and operates with municipal public-utility status granted in 1992.

Revenue is generated through a diversified but modest mix: monthly member contributions (~1% of minimum wage), fee-for-service Braille production, accessibility product sales (white canes, reglets, signature guides), government transfers (parliamentary amendments, Nota Fiscal Gaúcha, COMUI tax-deductible donations), corporate sponsorships via the state sports incentive law (Guimaraes Alimentos, Vero for Paralympic judo), and community fundraising campaigns (Tampinha Plástica plastic-cap collection across seven Porto Alegre drop-off points, plus events such as Workers' Day barbecues and pizza nights). The organization is governed by an elected five-member Administrative Council led by President Glailton Winckler da Silva and Treasurer Amanda Kolling (elected April 9, 2026).

Name

Associação de Cegos do Rio Grande do Sul - ACERGS

Legal name

Associação de Pessoas Cegas e com Baixa Visão do Rio Grande do Sul

Website

https://acergs.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Associação de Cegos do Rio Grande do Sul - ACERGS is a Porto Alegre-based nonprofit civil association, founded in 1967, that delivers rehabilitation, assistive technology, Braille production, employability, legal aid, and parasport services to blind and low-vision individuals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAFAG

Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Occupational Therapy (OT) & Sensory Integration Services

SECONDARYHLADAAAE

Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Independent Living Communities

Keywords

• Visual impairment rehabilitation
• Braille production services
• Assistive technology training
• Paralympic sports programs
• Disability employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto Alegre

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Member Contributions: Monthly membership fees of approximately 1% of minimum wage provide ongoing support from association members.
2. Braille Production Services: Fee-for-service Braille printing and adaptation of materials for businesses and individuals, including apostilles, menus, cards, labels, books and educational materials.
3. Government Transfers and Incentives: Municipal government transfers including parliamentary amendments, and participation in Nota Fiscal Gaúcha program where citizens direct tax refund points to ACERGS.
4. Donation Campaigns: Tampinha Legal campaign collects plastic caps to purchase white canes for donation; COMUI (Municipal Fund for the Elderly) enables tax-deductible donations of up to 6% of income tax for individuals and 1% for businesses.
5. Social Events and Fundraising: Revenue from social events including Workers' Day barbecue celebrations, anniversary parties, pizza nights, and cultural activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACERGS is a nonprofit civil association that provides a comprehensive portfolio of rehabilitation, social inclusion, and accessibility services for blind and low-vision individuals in Rio Grande do Sul. Its core offerings include a rehabilitation center (orientation and mobility, activities of daily living, occupational therapy, psychology, Braille workshop), an assistive technology workshop for digital accessibility, a Braille Production Center with 15+ years of experience, employment assistance, legal aid, social services, sociocultural activities, and a parasports program covering goalball, judo, athletics, cycling, swimming and adapted chess. All services are delivered through a four-step intake process at its two Porto Alegre facilities to promote autonomy, independence and citizenship.

Product overview

A ACERGS é uma associação de reabilitação e inclusão para pessoas cegas e com baixa visão que oferece uma rede integrada de serviços especializados. O portfólio principal inclui: Centro de Produção Braille (com mais de 15 anos de experiência na adaptação de materiais impressos), Oficina de Tecnologia Assistiva (treinamento em recursos de acessibilidade digital), serviços de reabilitação (orientação e mobilidade, atividades da vida diária, psicologia, terapia ocupacional), programa de Paradesporto (goalball, judô, atletismo, ciclismo, natação, xadrez), empregabilidade e qualificação profissional, atendimento jurídico e serviço social. Todos os serviços visam promover autonomia, independência e qualidade de vida, sendo prestados por equipe especializada na sede administrativa e sede social em Porto Alegre/RS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rehabilitation and Independent Living Skills Program (Reabilitação e Habilidades para Vida Independente)
• Assistive Technology Workshop (Tecnologia Assistiva)
• Braille Production Center (Produção Braille)
• Parasports Program (Paradesporto)
• Employment Assistance (Empregabilidade)
• Legal Aid (Atendimento Jurídico)
• Social Services (Serviço Social)
• Sociocultural Activities (Atividades Socioculturais)

Quantifiable outcome

• 70+ white canes donated to visually impaired individuals through Tampinha Plástica campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Secretaria Municipal de Desenvolvimento Social de Porto AlegrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Municipal government partnership for community development including excursion activities and social inclusion programs.
• SESC/FecomercioRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sports events including Circuit SESC de Corridas, goalball competitions, and athlete support. SESC provides physical infrastructure for training and competition uniforms.
• CBDV - Confederacao Brasileira de Desportos de Deficientes VisuaiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sports federation organizing goalball, judo and athletics competitions including Regional Sul, Copa Sul, Brazilian Championship Serie B, and Copa Loterias Caixa events.
• CBCP - Comite Brasileiro de Clubes ParalimpicoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding for airline tickets, ground transportation, accommodation, and transfers for ACERGS athletes to participate in national competitions.
• FEC - Federacao Riograndense de Entidades de e para CegoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState federation organizing Copa Gaucha de Goalball competitions and representing blind sports in Rio Grande do Sul.
• Sine Municipal de Porto AlegrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to promote employment for visually impaired individuals through corporate seminars, job placement assistance, and workplace adaptation support.
• Prefeitura de Porto AlegrecoreOthersMunicipal government providing general support and public utility status since 1992.
• FENEIS - Federacao Nacional de Educacao e Integracao dos SurdosstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for deafblindness training course covering concepts, communication forms (including tactile Libras), guide-interpreter role, and accessibility techniques. 25 hours of training with 50+ participants.
• Retina RSstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership hosting 1st Retina Rio Grande do Sul Meeting with 30 participants discussing rare eye diseases, genetic counseling, and disability rights.
• Projeto Sexto Sentido RSstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for running events providing athlete guides for visually impaired runners in 5km and 10km categories during SESC Circuit events.
• IESA/Vamos JuntosminorOthersSponsor providing financial support for running team and athlete guides.
• Guimaraes AlimentosstrategicOthersSponsor for Paralympic Judo project with financing from state sports incentive law.
• VerostrategicOthersSponsor for Paralympic Judo project with financing from state sports incentive law.
• Secretaria de Justicia, Cidadoania e Direitos Humanos (SJCDH/RS)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Diversity and Inclusion supporting deafblindness training course.
• AESC - Associacao Educadora Sao CarlosstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting institution for deafblindness training course.
• EPTC - Empresa Publica de Transporte e CirculacaostrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Pedal da Paz cycling event ensuring accessibility and traffic management during 15km tandem cycling route.
• CAP Projetos EsportivosstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSports project management company managing Paralympic Judo project execution.
• Hospital Ernesto DornellesminorOthersCollection point for Tampinha Plástica campaign.
• Pizza do GauchominorOthersRestaurant partnership for pizza night fundraising event.
• SOS ConsultasminorOthersHealthcare partnership providing medical consultations during Mother's Day event.
• ACELBstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of entities for the blind in Rio Grande do Sul.
• FADERS - Formacao a Distancia com Recursos ScreenshotstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization for accessibility and special education in Rio Grande do Sul.
• ESEFID - UFRGSstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical Education school of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.
• AtacadaominorOthersRetail partner for fundraising activities.
• Via AtacadistaminorOthersRetail partner for fundraising activities.
• BraskemminorOthersCollection point partner for Tampinha Plástica campaign.
• Kelleter MariottiminorOthersPartner for accessibility services.
• Hand TalkminorOthersAccessibility technology partner providing sign language translation services.
• AGCOminorOthersPartner organization.
• GCA3minorOthersPartner organization.
• SOMAminorOthersPartner organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Instituto Benjamin Constant: Federal institution in Rio de Janeiro focused on the education, rehabilitation, and inclusion of people with visual impairments. Operates a school, rehabilitation center, and Braille production facility—similar integrated service model to ACERGS but with federal backing and larger scope.
• Instituto Jô Clemente: Brazilian nonprofit providing health, education, and social inclusion services primarily for people with intellectual disabilities. While not focused on visual impairment, it shares the broader disability-services nonprofit model, employment placement programs, and government partnership structure.
• Fundação Dorina Nowill: One of Brazil's largest foundations for the blind, based in São Paulo. Provides Braille production, assistive technology training, employment programs, and rehabilitation—directly comparable to ACERGS's service portfolio but at national scale. Differs from ACERGS primarily in geographic scope and organizational size.
• APNE - Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (APAE): Brazil's largest disability services network, with 2,000+ local chapters providing rehabilitation, education, and advocacy across multiple disability types. Not a direct competitor on visual impairment specialization, but operates an analogous multi-service nonprofit model with strong government relationships.

Direct peers

• FENEIS - Federação Nacional de Educação e Integração dos Surdos: National federation addressing deafblindness and related disability services. ACERGS partners with FENEIS for deafblindness training courses, indicating overlapping service lines in accessibility training and disability advocacy.
• Centro de Vida Independente (CVI) Brazil: Independent living centers for people with disabilities in Brazil, aligned with ACERGS's orientation/mobility and ADL (Atividades da Vida Diária) training offerings. Shares the mission of promoting autonomy and self-directed living for people with disabilities.
• Laramara - Associação Brasileira de Assistência ao Deficiente Visual: São Paulo-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, assistive technology, education, and social services for visually impaired individuals. Direct service model overlap with ACERGS, including Braille production and assistive technology training; operates as a comparable state-level association.

Regional players

• FADERS - Formação à Distância com Recursos Digitais: State-level organization in Rio Grande do Sul for accessibility and special education, and an existing partner of ACERGS. Operates in the same geographic market with overlapping educational and accessibility mandates, making it both a peer and a collaborator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACERGS
• Facebookfacebook.com/acergs.acergs
• Instagraminstagram.com/acergs_associacaodecegosrs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-cegos-do-rio-grande-do-sul-acergs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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