ACAPO
ACAPO is a Portuguese non-profit association founded in 1989 that serves blind and partially sighted individuals nationwide through 11 regional delegations, offering rehabilitation, independent living support, Braille production, audio description, accessibility consulting, and rights advocacy, with international representation in the EU Blind Union and World Blind Union.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersLisbon, Portugal
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ACAPO does
ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal is a private non-profit association founded on October 20, 1989, headquartered at Av. D. Carlos I, 126, Lisbon. It is the only national Portuguese organization exclusively focused on visual disability, serving blind and partially sighted individuals across the full life cycle through 11 regional delegations (Lisbon, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Algarve, Azores, and Viana do Castelo) and a Centre for Independent Living (CAVI Lisboa).
The organization's service portfolio spans rehabilitation (employment support, orientation and mobility, daily living activities, assistive product prescription, psychology, social services, ICT, and sports), independent living support, professional training, Braille production and certification, audio description for cultural events, web accessibility consulting, and rights advocacy. Its core technology is built around accessibility standards: Braille production, professional audio description, and a website conforming to WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Notable specialized outputs include Braille voting matrices validated with the National Elections Commission and Imprensa Nacional - Casa da Moeda. ACAPO also engages in international representation through the European Blind Union, World Blind Union, Lusophone Union of the Blind, and the Ibero-American Braille Council.
Revenue is generated through a diversified set of streams typical of a member-based non-profit: recurring membership quotas, individual donations via bank transfer (Novo Banco) and Portuguese IRS tax consignment (1%), MEO/MEOS solidarity points program (17+ years, €2M+ raised for 14 institutions), solidarity product sales (sensory jewelry €35-40, personalized sport bottles €9), per-bottle donations from the Santola wine partnership with Caves Messias, international project grants (e.g., €2,991 from IILP for Braille na Lusofonia), and Portuguese government funding through INR. Activity fees (Aventura €35-70, Douro trips €80-200) and accessibility consulting/testing for external organizations add further revenue. ACAPO holds EQUASS Assurance and ISO 9001/IQNET certifications and is governed by elected associative bodies with the current 2025-2028 term under President Rodrigo Santos.
ACAPO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ACAPO
- Legal name
- ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal
- Website
- https://acapo.pt
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ACAPO is a Portuguese non-profit association founded in 1989 that serves blind and partially sighted individuals nationwide through 11 regional delegations, offering rehabilitation, independent living support, Braille production, audio description, accessibility consulting, and rights advocacy, with international representation in the EU Blind Union and World Blind Union.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ACAPO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Advocacy and Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN)
Keywords
Where ACAPO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lisbon
- HQ country
- Portugal
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices11 records
Markets served
ACAPO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Member Quotas: Annual and monthly membership fees paid by effective and cooperative members to support association activities and services
- Donations: One-time or regular monetary donations from individuals and organizations, including bank transfers to Novo Banco (NIB 0007 0014 0036530000481)
- IRS Tax Consignment: Portuguese tax donation mechanism allowing citizens to consign 1% of their IRS to ACAPO (NIF: 502 410 132) at no additional cost
- MEOS Solidarity Points Program: Partnership with MEO telecommunications where customers donate accumulated points converted to tangible support (e.g., white canes) for members
- Solidarity Products Sales: Sale of solidarity articles including sensory jewelry (pendants with Braille inscriptions at €35-40), branded sport bottles (€9 personalized), and other merchandise
- Wine Solidarity Project (Santola): Sales of Santola wines by Caves Messias with per-bottle donation to ACAPO; labels include QR codes for accessibility and Braille wine names
- International Project Funding: Funding from international bodies such as the International Portuguese Language Institute (IILP) for projects like Braille na Lusofonia
- Activity Participation Fees: Fees for participation in programs such as the Aventura adventure sports activity (€35 members, €70 non-members) and Douro trips (€80-200)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Aventura adventure activity for youth with visual disability |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Douro Valley trip for seniors (65+) with disability |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Sensory jewelry pendants with Braille inscriptions |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Personalized ACAPO sport bottle with laser engraving |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
ACAPO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACAPO is a Portuguese non-profit association that provides rehabilitation services, independent living support, employment assistance, advocacy, and accessibility services for people with visual disabilities. Core offerings include Braille production and certification, audio description, professional training, orientation and mobility training, assistive technology prescription, and rights representation at national and international levels. The organization also delivers accessibility consulting, training, and Braille production as paid services to external organizations through its Community Services division.
Product overview
ACAPO offers a comprehensive suite of services for people with visual disabilities in Portugal, organized around rehabilitation services (employment support, daily living activities, sports, professional training, orientation and mobility, assistive product prescription, psychology, social services, and ICT), independent living centers (CAVI), rights advocacy, and community accessibility services (web/physical accessibility consulting, training, Braille production). Key offerings include the Louis Braille magazine publication, regular newsletters, the Braille na Lusofonia international project, sensory jewelry workshops, personalized merchandise, and accessibility testing services. The organization functions as a membership-based association with regional delegations across Portugal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Serviços de Reabilitação (Rehabilitation Services) Comprehensive rehabilitation services for visually impaired people including Employment Support, Daily Life Activities (AVD), Sports, Professional Training, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Product Prescription, Psychology, Social Service, and Information and Communication Technologies.
- Centros de Apoio à Vida Independente (CAVI) Independent Living Support Centers providing personal assistance services to visually impaired people over 16 years old, promoting autonomy and independent living in the Lisbon metropolitan area.
- Representação de Direitos (Rights Representation) Advocacy and representation services for visually impaired people at national and international levels, participating in policy-making, legislation, and serving on advisory councils such as the Estratégia para os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência 2026-2030.
- Serviços para a Comunidade (Community Services) Services offered to external organizations including Project Evaluation, Awareness Actions, Physical Accessibility Consulting, Web Accessibility Consulting, Training, and Braille Production and Certification. Targeted at businesses, cultural venues, banks, and government agencies seeking accessibility expertise.
- Acessibilidade Web (Web Accessibility Testing) Web and digital accessibility testing services where ACAPO members with visual impairments test websites, products, services, and events to ensure accessibility for visually impaired users. Offered to external organizations seeking authentic accessibility validation.
- Braille na Lusofonia International cooperation project to promote Braille literacy in Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) through teacher training and educational material kits, covering Angola, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau, Moçambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, and Timor-Leste.
- Formação Profissional (Professional Training) Professional training programs and skills development courses for visually impaired individuals to enhance employment opportunities, including rehabilitation services in information and communication technologies.
- Prescrição de Produtos de Apoio (Assistive Product Prescription) Assessment and prescription of assistive technology products and devices for visually impaired people, including white canes, Braille devices, and screen reader-compatible equipment.
- Joalharia Sensorial (Sensory Jewelry) Sensory jewelry with Braille inscriptions produced in collaboration with designer Tânia Gil. Silver pendants with Braille words (Amor, Partilha, Gratidão) priced at €35 for members and €40 for non-members, with proceeds fully supporting ACAPO.
- Garrafa ACAPO Personalizada (Personalized ACAPO Sport Bottle) Customizable ACAPO sport water bottles with member names engraved in Braille and low-relief laser marking, priced at €9 for members with updated quotas.
- Revista Louis Braille (Louis Braille Magazine) Official magazine of ACAPO featuring articles, news, and information relevant to people with visual disabilities, distributed to members and the broader community.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7 professional integrations achieved in Q4 2025 through employment support services
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ACAPO
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ACAPO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ACAPO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Grupo Social ONCEcoreLong-standing strategic partnership with Spain's National Organization of the Blind for employability programs, training, capacity building, and international representation. Includes cooperation in World Blind Union, EU Blind Union, Ibero-American Braille Council, and Lusophone Union of the Blind. Includes exchange programs (English courses in Spain, physiotherapy scholarships in Madrid), and potential expansion of ONCE social services to Portugal.
- European Union of Blind (EUBlind)coreACAPO has representation on the EUBlind Board (Rodrigo Santos elected member). Portugal served as host of the 12th General Assembly. ACAPO coordinates the 2027 General Assembly Organization Committee through Rosário Cunha.
- World Blind Union (WBU)coreInternational representation body where ACAPO's President (Rodrigo Santos) serves on the organizing committee of General Assemblies.
- Tânia Gil JewelryminorCollaborative project creating sensory jewelry with Braille inscriptions (Amor, Partilha, Gratidão) for people with and without visual disabilities. Jewelry sales revenue fully reverts to ACAPO.
- Caves MessiasminorSantola wine solidarity project where a portion of each bottle sold is donated to ACAPO. Labels include QR codes for accessibility information and Braille wine names.
- MEO / MEOSminor17-year solidarity points program where MEO customers donate accumulated points converted to donations (e.g., white canes) for ACAPO members. Program has raised over €2 million for social solidarity institutions.
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo JorgeminorPartnership for professional integration of people with visual disabilities in the public health sector, demonstrating collaboration between government health institutions and disability organizations.
- Casa dos Marcos - RaríssimasminorPartnership with Raríssimas organization providing CAVI Lisboa services in the Setúbal Peninsula area through the Casa dos Marcos facility in Moita.
- Museu do Aljube Resistência e LiberdademinorMuseum partnership providing accessible guided visits with audio description for people with visual disabilities, promoting cultural inclusion.
- Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB)minorCultural venue providing accessible theater performances with audio description, making cultural events accessible to audiences with visual disabilities.
- Clube Millennium bcpminorSupported the production and dissemination of sensory jewelry project, providing financial support for creating and marketing the accessible jewelry pieces.
- Comité Paralímpico de Portugal (CPP)minorCo-organization of Paralympic Youth Camp promoting multiday sports experiences for children and youth with visual disabilities aged 8-18.
- Federação Portuguesa de Desporto para Pessoas com Deficiência (FPDD)minorPartnership in organizing Paralympic Youth Camp and sports development activities for athletes with visual disabilities.
- Banco de PortugalcoreFormal consultation and collaboration on banking accessibility regulations (Decree-Law 82/2022), representing the interests of people with visual disabilities in financial services accessibility requirements.
- Imprensa Nacional - Casa da MoedacoreCollaboration on Braille voting matrices and explanatory materials validation, ensuring electoral accessibility for people with visual disabilities.
- Comissão Nacional de EleiçõescoreCollaboration on Accessible Elections Working Group, reviewing and improving electoral accessibility information content, including audio description for election videos.
- Estratégia para os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência 2026-2030 (EDPD)coreACAPO integrates the Advisory Council for the National Disability Rights Strategy 2026-2030, participating in policy definition for people with disabilities at national level.
- União de Cegos da Língua Portuguesa (UCLP)corePortuguese-speaking blind persons union where ACAPO aims to expand Braille training and strengthen member associations across the Lusophone community.
- Aliança para a Deficiência VisualcoreCoalition of visual disability organizations where ACAPO distributes Braille voting matrices and collaborates on accessibility initiatives.
- FPAS (Federação Portuguesa das Associações de Surdos)minorCollaboration within Accessible Elections Working Group on improving accessibility information and processes for people with disabilities.
- FENACERCI (Federação Nacional de Cooperativas de Solidariedade Social)minorParticipation in Accessible Elections Working Group contributing to improved accessibility processes for people with disabilities.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ACAPO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): UK's leading sight loss charity providing rehabilitation, employment support, Braille services, advocacy, and accessibility consulting. Closely comparable in mission, service breadth (rehabilitation, advocacy, assistive technology), and member-based governance structure, though operating at significantly larger scale.
- CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind): Canadian national organization serving people with sight loss through rehabilitation, employment, advocacy, and accessible content services. Directly comparable in its multi-service national association model and emphasis on employment integration and accessibility standards work.
- Braille Institute of America: US non-profit providing Braille instruction, assistive technology training, and independent living services for people with vision loss. Directly comparable in Braille/AAC production focus, assistive technology training, and adult rehabilitation services.
- ONCE (Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles): Spain's national organization of the blind and ACAPO's explicit strategic partner. ONCE operates a parallel model combining service delivery, Braille production, employment programs, and a social enterprise (lottery). Highly comparable as a national-scale blind association in an adjacent Iberian market with overlapping service categories.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): US national foundation addressing blindness and visual impairment through advocacy, research, publications, and accessibility consulting. Comparable as a policy-influencing, advocacy-heavy national association with emphasis on accessibility standards and employment outcomes.
- LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: San Francisco-based non-profit serving people with vision loss through rehabilitation, employment, accessible media, and adaptive technology training. Comparable as a mid-sized, multi-service blindness organization with strong vocational and assistive technology offerings.
- Vision Australia: Australian national blindness and low vision service organization providing therapy, assistive technology, employment, and advocacy. Comparable in delivering a vertically integrated service portfolio for people with visual disabilities through regional centers, mirroring ACAPO's delegation model.
Others
- European Union of the Blind (EU Blind): European federation of national blind associations, of which ACAPO is a member and hosts the General Assembly for. Indirect peer — not a service-delivery competitor but the umbrella body in ACAPO's category, relevant for benchmarking advocacy positioning and policy influence.
Emerging players
- CBM (Christian Blind Mission): International disability inclusion organization working on disability in low- and middle-income countries, including visual impairment. Partial overlap with ACAPO's CPLP-focused Braille training work; relevant as a potential partner or competitor for Lusophone international programming.
Regional players
- APD (Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes): Portuguese cross-disability advocacy organization operating in the same domestic ecosystem as ACAPO. Comparable as a Portuguese non-profit addressing disability rights, accessibility policy, and service provision — relevant as both a coalition partner and a cross-disability competitor for funding and political attention.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ACAPO social profiles
Digital presenceACAPO compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
ACAPO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ACAPO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
ACAPO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ACAPO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ACAPO
What does ACAPO do?
ACAPO is a Portuguese non-profit association that provides rehabilitation services, independent living support, employment assistance, advocacy, and accessibility services for people with visual disabilities. Core offerings include Braille production and certification, audio description, professional training, orientation and mobility training, assistive technology prescription, and rights representation at national and international levels. The organization also delivers accessibility consulting, training, and Braille production as paid services to external organizations through its Community Services division.
Is ACAPO a public or private company?
ACAPO is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ACAPO founded?
ACAPO was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ACAPO based?
ACAPO is headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, in the Europe region.
How does ACAPO make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Member Quotas are the primary driver. The others are donations, IRS Tax Consignment, MEOS Solidarity Points Program, solidarity Products Sales, wine Solidarity Project (Santola), international Project Funding and activity Participation Fees.
Who are ACAPO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), Braille Institute of America, ONCE (Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles), American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Vision Australia. European Union of the Blind (EU Blind) is listed as an others. CBM (Christian Blind Mission) is listed as an emerging player. APD (Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes) is listed as a regional player.
Does ACAPO have an API?
No public API is recorded for ACAPO.
What industry is ACAPO in?
ACAPO's product category is Disability Advocacy and Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAGAB, Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools, with a secondary code of EDAKAIAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.