[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Los próximos 5 y 6 de marzo, la Universidad de La Laguna acogerá el Seminario titulado “Viviendas amables para personas con discapacidad intelectual desde la perspectiva de agentes clave”. El encuentro se enmarca en el proyecto “Entornos inclusivos y sostenibles para personas con discapacidad intelectual. Diagnóstico y evaluación de indicadores para identificación de ‘viviendas amables’ (Fri-Housing)”, perteneciente a la Convocatoria 2022 de Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento. La investigación está liderada por las investigadoras principales Dra. Rosa María Díaz Jiménez (Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla) y Dra. Yolanda Mª De la Fuente Robles (Universidad de Jaén), y cuenta con la participación de equipos de diez universidades españolas. En el caso de la Universidad de La Laguna, el equipo está liderado por la Dra. Celsa Cáceres, del Área de Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales.

Registration and more information[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=»modern» c_icon=»chevron» c_position=»right» active_section=»0″ no_fill=»true» collapsible_all=»true»][vc_tta_section title=»Objetivos y más información» tab_id=»mas-info»][vc_column_text]El objetivo general del proyecto FRI-HOUSING es mejorar la comprensión de los procesos habitacionales vinculados a personas con discapacidad intelectual, analizando tanto las alternativas residenciales existentes como el impacto real de los programas habitacionales. En definitiva, se trata de responder a una cuestión clave: qué elementos hacen que una vivienda favorezca realmente la autonomía personal y la inclusión social.

More specifically, the project aims to define, through participatory processes, a set of variables that will determine the characteristics of a "human-friendly home." This is based on the theoretical model of the "human city," which incorporates dimensions such as housing, public space, education, safety, health, nutrition, mobility, culture, sustainable development, and youth.
Throughout 2025, the project conducted focus groups in the various participating territories, with the participation of people with intellectual disabilities, their families, neighbors, political and public administration representatives, as well as professionals and academic staff. These meetings provided firsthand insights into experiences, expectations, and real needs related to residential environments for people with intellectual disabilities.

The sessions on March 5th and 6th aim to share progress, coordinate scientific work among participating teams, and advance the design and validation of the tool that will assess the conditions a home must meet to be considered truly inclusive. Furthermore, the meeting seeks to strengthen the dissemination of results and foster dialogue with professionals, social organizations, and the public.

Thursday, March 5th, will be dedicated to the internal technical work of the research teams. The session will focus on reviewing the project's status and planning the next phases. The opening remarks and presentation of objectives will be given by the principal investigators, Rosa Mª Díaz Jiménez and Yolanda Mª De la Fuente Robles. The day will also include discussions on the design and validation of the scale of indicators for accessible housing, with presentations by Nieves Aquino Llinares, as well as specific contributions on accessibility and autonomy from Pilar Munuera Gómez, the analysis of emotions in focus groups by Mª Ángeles Medina Sánchez, and the specific work on gender issues in the project and a review of the budget by Antonia Corona Aguilar.

Friday, March 6th, will be an open day for the public, designed as a seminar focused on knowledge transfer and exchange with professionals, families, and other interested individuals. Those who have participated in the project's focus groups are especially invited to this session, as are social organizations, disability professionals, public officials, and anyone interested in moving towards more inclusive residential care models.

The day on March 6 will feature an institutional opening by José Antonio Batista Medina, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication of the University of La Laguna, and the presentation of regional results by Cristina Chinea Montesdeoca, researcher from the team at the University of La Laguna.

Among the featured presentations is a guest talk by architect Mario Cortés Martín, a collaborator on the project, entitled “What Nobody Has Told You About the Architecture of Happiness.” In addition, a Panel Discussion and Experiences session will be held, featuring participants from the focus groups, along with other working groups focused on inclusivity and showcasing best practices in transforming homes into more accessible models. Participants in this session will include representatives from the AlokaBide Agency and Pilar Herrero Vázquez, a social worker from the La Laguna City Council's Disability Services, who will discuss La Laguna's vision as an inclusive and accessible city.

The conference will conclude with an official closing ceremony by the Rector of the University of La Laguna and a farewell cocktail reception.