HISTORY AND TRAJECTORY

AURA is an organization with more than 33 years of experience that was born with a commitment to help improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) through the Life and Work with Support methodology.

AURA’s Mission is to help increase the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities through social and labor inclusion, following the Supported Work Methodology. The ability to convey to the person with an intellectual disability confidence and possibilities for change and improvement has been the most important heritage. The values ​​of the Foundation are: Respect for the individual differences of each person. Commitment to the Mission, the participants and their families. Innovative and positive spirit.

AURA, a pioneer in Spain and Europe in the implementation of the “Work with Support” methodology, a model that was born in the United States in the 80s, promotes the integration of people with disabilities through a set of strategies and support procedures adapted to special needs Since its inception, AURA has participated in several networks.

On an international level, she was the promoter of the EUSE (European Union of Supported Employment), actively participating in its creation to publicize and contribute to the legislation on Supported Employment. In our country, AURA was the founder of ACTAS (Catalan Association of Supported Employment) and AESE (Spanish Association of Supported Employment), two federations that defend the rights of people with disabilities to have a job in normalized environments .

In 2019, AURA was invited to participate as a speaker at the World Down Syndrome Day Congress at the UN headquarters in New York, as a model organization for the integration of people with intellectual disabilities.

AURA audited since 2012 by:
Certification:
AURA has been a founding member:
AURA is a member of:
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Throughout these three decades, the Foundation has received the following recognitions:

  • Barcelona City Council medal of honor for the civic values ​​and community commitment of the Aura Foundation (2023).
  • Premio Solitari ONCE Catalunya 2022, to Dª. Gloria Canals, president of AURA, for her professional career and her contribution to improving the quality of life of people with Intellectual Disabilities.
  • “World Down Syndrome Day 2019” Award from the 14th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (November 2020).
  • “The things that matter” recognition, for managing COVID beyond our daily work, from Business with Social Value (September 2020).
  • Piñol Award for the best career in favor of employment (2019).
  • Award to AURA for work in social and labor insertion HUMANA (2016).
  • Commemorative plaque of the Generalitat de Catalunya on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Aura Fundació (2014).
  • Recognition of AESE for the promotion of Supported Employment in the Country (Madrid 2013).
  • Award in the field of Disability, Fundació Agrupació Mútua (2009).
  • Recognition at 20 years, the Supported Employment Symposium (Bilbao 2009).
  • TaS Caja Madrid award to the most veteran institution to apply the Supported Employment methodology (2008).
  • Caixa Sabadell Social Work Award (2006).
  • IMSERSO prize for the labor integration of people with disabilities (1999).
  • May 1st Rafael Campalans Commitment Award (1998).