Introduction: The Swallowing and Nutrition Unit (SNU) at Fundació Aspace Catalunya is a key service for patients with cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders with swallowing, feeding and/or nutritional alterations. Initial referrals, follow-up and interventions were often incomplete, which impacted the quality of assessments. Communications were decentralized and face-to-face visits lacked structure, reducing the effectiveness of counseling. In addition, shortcomings were identified in the post-visit phase in terms of follow-up and rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to improve the quality and patient experience through digital and procedural innovations.

Participants and methods: Design Thinking methodology was used, analyzing processes, emotional states and touch points with Empathy and Journey Map. Priority areas were identified to improve service quality. A mixed-methods evaluation approach was adopted to measure the impact of these interventions. The study was conducted in alignment with SQUIRE guidelines. No conflicts of interest were identified.

Results: Process and outcome measures were selected. Referral accuracy increased, improved circuit of care and follow-up. Patients felt more informed and prepared. The introduction of pre-questionnaires and standardized and digitalized assessments made it possible to protocolize the service. In addition, new professionals were incorporated, creating a multidisciplinary team. As a result, users and caregivers were empowered and new specific rehabilitation services were implemented.

Conclusion: This project improved the quality and experience at SNU, protocolizing professional performance, aligning it with the organization's values and enhancing the well-being of patients and their families.

Research on brain development across the lifespan for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) is limited, with most focusing on pediatrics. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe, non-invasive tool that can help improve this gap. However, it requires individuals to lie still for extended periods of time, which may not be possible for individuals with CP or other involuntary movement disorders, without the use of sedation. Alternatives to sedation are emphasized in pediatric research, but this has not been translated to adults with CP, despite requests from people with lived experience.

We propose a novel MRI-compatible postural support system that allows for non-sedated, motion-free MRIs. The concept combines padding, splinting, and strapping to stabilize and support a patient’s whole body. This system is easily adjusted, creating immobilization that is comfortable, safe, and effective for anyone. Use of this system prevents involuntary movements during scan acquisition while patients remain fully awake, removing the need for sedation.

Current literature on non-sedated neuroimaging overwhelmingly focuses on pediatric populations, with studies that include adults with CP being scarce. Without additional research, a gap in knowledge will persist, and the needs of individuals with CP will remain unmet.

This system would remove the need for sedation for many adults with CP. Non-sedated scans reduce health risks, costs, time, and staffing needs, making research studies more feasible and clinical scanning safer and easier. Above all, this system increases the autonomy of adults with CP and gives individuals a voice in their own healthcare decisions.

Statement of Problem:
Children with neuro-disabilities face significant toileting challenges that are often unmet. Existing products, primarily designed for bathing, are poorly adapted for toileting and fail to support the forward-lean, deep squat posture needed for effective elimination. This mismatch leads to difficulties with toilet training, urinary tract infections, chronic constipation, and lifelong laxative dependence. Multiple agencies may be involved—therapists, nurses, schools—but no single entity assumes responsibility. Clinical guidelines recommending a squat posture are rarely followed, making toileting a major daily concern for families.

Technology Description:
The Firefly GottaGo is a portable toilet seat designed to support a deep squat posture, aiding pelvic floor descent and rectal alignment for easier urination and defecation. Features include angled thigh support, adjustable squat positions, multi-height footplates, arm supports, three height settings for different toilets, warm-touch materials, and a foldable design with carry bag, allowing consistent use at home, school, or on the go.

Findings:
Case studies and feedback from therapists and parents indicate children with complex need can successfully toilet train using GottaGo. Many reduce or eliminate their laxative use, and families report previously unattainable independence. Portability ensures consistent practice, while the deep squat posture and training program enable skill acquisition and learning reinforcement.

Practical Application:
GottaGo and the accompanying program provide an evidence-informed solution, improving health outcomes, promoting independence, and empowering families. By separating bathing from toileting, it transforms a stressful task into a manageable process, delivering clinical and social benefits and setting a new standard of care for children with neuro-disabilities.

Problem:
Early recognition of developmental delays during infancy is essential for timely intervention and improved outcomes. Approximately 250 million children under five, 43% globally, remain at risk of developmental delays due to inconsistent screening practices, limited access to professionals, and a lack of parent-friendly educational tools. There is a global need for scalable, evidence-based resources that equip healthcare providers and caregivers to identify early motor concerns and support infants’ progress through purposeful play and home interaction.
Description of Product:
Founded in 1985, Pathways.org collaborates with 70+ infant development experts to create free, evidence-based, video-centric materials on early development. The newly launched Pathways.org Baby Milestones App represents the culmination of this work, delivering personalized, expert developmental guidance to healthcare providers and parents. Available in 19 languages, the app integrates milestone checklists, activity recommendations, and video demonstrations tailored to each infant’s age and progress, supporting consistent, informed empowerment across care settings.
Findings:
Over 3,000 therapists have been trained using Pathways.org resources, evaluations show significant gains in knowledge and confidence in identifying early motor concerns. Over 300 universities and hospitals link to Pathways.org, and its videos have surpassed 50 million views, with 70% of viewers outside the U.S. Early app data show users who record Tummy Time achieve 68% more milestones, and those engaging in activities reach 62% more milestones than those who do not.
Applications:
Pathways.org’s scalable, evidence-informed approach empowers professionals and parents worldwide to detect concerns early, apply intervention strategies, and strengthen caregiver engagement to optimize developmental outcomes for every infant.

CodeAbility is an inclusive educational initiative designed for young individuals with cognitive impairments, developmental delays, and cerebral palsy. Over a period of 6 to 12 weeks, participants from various care and educational settings engage in a collaborative learning process focused on coding and artificial intelligence (AI).
The program offers a low-threshold, visually supported introduction to digital technologies, using tools such as Vibe Coding. Participants are encouraged to identify needs from their own daily lives and to develop ideas for assistive technologies. These concepts are then transformed into digital prototypes using AI-supported programming environments.
Working in small groups and supported by pedagogical and technical professionals, participants learn to write simple code, design user interfaces, and understand basic digital logic. The methodology is grounded in human-centered design and inclusive pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, participation, and usability of all learning materials.
At the conclusion of the program, participants present their prototypes in an inclusive showcase event, strengthening digital participation, self-confidence, and the visibility of their creative potential. The outcomes may serve as a basis for further development or collaboration with universities and technology partners.
CodeAbility is part of the AI-Fit program of the Helga Keil-Bastendorff Foundation and contributes to enhancing digital competence, creative problem-solving, and empowerment for people with disabilities.

The AI-Pass is a modular learning and certification program developed within the AI-Fit initiative of the Helga Keil-Bastendorff Foundation. It is specifically designed for young adults with disabilities, including cognitive impairments, motor limitations, and cerebral palsy. The program provides an accessible, structured entry into the world of artificial intelligence (AI)—a field in which this population is often underrepresented.
The AI-Pass consists of three progressive modules: (1) Introduction to AI and first steps, (2) Practical applications in everyday life, and (3) AI in work and professional contexts. The curriculum builds on inclusive workshops tested and refined within the foundation’s day programs and therapeutic settings. All materials, exercises, and digital tools are adapted to be usable for participants with limited literacy or technical experience.
A central feature of the AI-Pass is its focus on empowerment and digital participation. Participants learn how AI technologies can support communication, daily decision-making, and personal independence. Ethical reflection and critical thinking are integrated throughout the program to promote responsible, informed use of AI.
Upon completion, participants receive an individualized certificate documenting their skills and achievements. In the long term, the AI-Pass is intended to become an accredited, person-centered certification that can be adopted by external organizations and educational providers.
Overall, the AI-Pass enhances digital inclusion and promotes the active participation of people with disabilities in shaping the technological future, positioning them not as passive users but as informed, empowered contributors.

The corticospinal tract (CST) is the primary motor pathway for volitional movement. Early life injury to the CST can result in lifelong motor impairment and cerebral palsy (CP). Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (spTMS), has emerged as a promising assessment tool providing novel insight into CST function, supporting early detection of atypical motor development. Neuronavigation allows researchers to accurately target spTMS to motor regions of the brain using individual MRI scans, but standard real-time head tracking methods are not sized to accommodate infants. Substitute techniques include utilizing adhesive skin tape, leading to scalp irritation, frequent tracker dislodgement, and resultant data collection delay or early experiment cessation.

The 3D-printed head tracker is adhered to a non-magnetic clasp, compliant with a sensory-friendly hat with multiple attachment points. This provides a stable base for the neuronavigation head tracker, making it more difficult for infants to remove, improving comfort, and streamlining the data collection process for both the infant and research team.


Head tracker application methods utilizing adhesives directly on the scalp resulted in participants removing the device, indicating discomfort and interrupting assessment. Feasibility testing conducted by spTMS applied through a single layer of poly-spandex fabric indicated little interference with pulse administration and resultant motor potentials.

The device aims to improve the sensory experience for infants and facilitate data collection, thereby maximizing the technology’s potential to advance early detection and intervention of CP while supporting a participant-centered approach. This method of increasing accessibility for neuronavigation can be applied to wider populations in the future.