ACAPO

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.

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

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

• Disability advocacy services
• Visual rehabilitation services
• Braille production services
• Accessibility consulting
• Independent living support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Member Quotas: Annual and monthly membership fees paid by effective and cooperative members to support association activities and services
2. Donations: One-time or regular monetary donations from individuals and organizations, including bank transfers to Novo Banco (NIB 0007 0014 0036530000481)
3. 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
4. MEOS Solidarity Points Program: Partnership with MEO telecommunications where customers donate accumulated points converted to tangible support (e.g., white canes) for members
5. 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
6. 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
7. International Project Funding: Funding from international bodies such as the International Portuguese Language Institute (IILP) for projects like Braille na Lusofonia
8. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grupo Social ONCEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026Long-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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACAPO 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational representation body where ACAPO's President (Rodrigo Santos) serves on the organizing committee of General Assemblies.
• Tânia Gil JewelryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative 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 MessiasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSantola 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 / MEOSminorGTM or Marketing Partner17-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 JorgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 - RaríssimasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership 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 LiberdademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerMuseum partnership providing accessible guided visits with audio description for people with visual disabilities, promoting cultural inclusion.
• Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural venue providing accessible theater performances with audio description, making cultural events accessible to audiences with visual disabilities.
• Clube Millennium bcpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the production and dissemination of sensory jewelry project, providing financial support for creating and marketing the accessible jewelry pieces.
• Comité Paralímpico de Portugal (CPP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in organizing Paralympic Youth Camp and sports development activities for athletes with visual disabilities.
• Banco de PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal 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 MoedacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Braille voting matrices and explanatory materials validation, ensuring electoral accessibility for people with visual disabilities.
• Comissão Nacional de EleiçõescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACAPO 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese-speaking blind persons union where ACAPO aims to expand Braille training and strengthen member associations across the Lusophone community.
• Aliança para a Deficiência VisualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of visual disability organizations where ACAPO distributes Braille voting matrices and collaborates on accessibility initiatives.
• FPAS (Federação Portuguesa das Associações de Surdos)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration within Accessible Elections Working Group on improving accessibility information and processes for people with disabilities.
• FENACERCI (Federação Nacional de Cooperativas de Solidariedade Social)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in Accessible Elections Working Group contributing to improved accessibility processes for people with disabilities.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/AcapoPt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@acapoassociacaodoscegoseam5897
• Facebookfacebook.com/acapo.pt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acapo
• Instagraminstagram.com/acapo_1989

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ACAPO