VitaminaWeb and AnaMid support Projeto Abraço Atípico: technology, sports and social inclusion

Projeto Abraço Atípico was created with a noble mission: to provide specialized therapies and inclusive sports for children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Intellectual Disability, while also offering support to their mothers and families.

This is an effort to transform lives through an exclusive space equipped with a multidisciplinary team, adapted facilities and sports activities that strengthen the body, mind and emotional bonds.

The initiative is led by Mônica Gonzalez, VitaminaWeb’s Director of Operations, and Gislaine Gonzalez. Both are mothers of children with additional needs who envisioned the project and have guided its development from the outset.

As a strategic supporter, VitaminaWeb has already contributed to creating the logo, is overseeing the development of the new website and will continue to contribute across all areas of technology and digital marketing, raising the cause’s profile nationwide.

“This project was born from our awareness of the lack of structured initiatives for atypical families. It represents not only a physical space for support and sports, but also an invitation to society to see these children and mothers with greater empathy and take concrete action. I believe digital can be a powerful bridge to raise awareness and attract support for this movement,” says Mônica Gonzalez, VitaminaWeb’s Director of Operations and a mother of a child with additional needs.

The role of the Pedala Brasil Association

It is also important to highlight the contribution of the Pedala Brasil Association, the organization responsible for legally structuring and managing the process that has brought Abraço Atípico to the stage where it can be submitted to the Federal Government through the Sports Incentive Law.

Without this institutional coordination, the project would not have reached the maturity needed to raise funds officially and transparently. Pedala Brasil has a track record of inclusive sports projects and, in this case, serves as the bridge connecting the project’s vision to its effective implementation within the national regulatory framework.

The connection with the digital market

Rodrigo Neves, CEO of VitaminaWeb and President of AnaMid, the National Association of the Digital Market and Industry, emphasizes that Abraço Atípico creates a direct link between the digital ecosystem and inclusive sports. AnaMid has offered institutional support once the project is approved by the Federal Government through the Sports Incentive Law.

This law allows companies to allocate part of their income tax liability to fund social projects approved by the Ministry of Sport. In other words, instead of these funds going entirely to the federal treasury, they can be directed to transformative initiatives like Abraço Atípico. For digital companies, which already operate in a highly connected and innovative environment, this is a unique opportunity to put social responsibility into practice in a tangible and measurable way.

“Brazil’s digital market has both strength and responsibility. The Sports Incentive Law is an opportunity to turn taxes into social impact. Abraço Atípico is a project that speaks directly to the values of inclusion, health and well-being that our sector needs to champion”, says Rodrigo Neves, National President of AnaMid and CEO of VitaminaWeb.

The importance of sports, especially in the digital sector

Technology and communications companies face a contradiction: while they are drivers of innovation, much of their workforce is also concentrated in sedentary roles, with long hours spent in front of screens. This has serious consequences for physical and mental health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is responsible for 5 million deaths each year worldwide. Meanwhile, the Global Web Index study (2024) found that 73% of technology professionals report some level of anxiety or stress related to remote and sedentary work.

In this context, sports are more than physical activity: they are a tool for prevention, inclusion and well-being. For children and teenagers with ASD and their families, the benefits are even more evident:

• Social interaction: team sports promote inclusion and communication skills;
• Cognitive and motor development: improved coordination, focus and self-awareness;
• Mental health: reduced anxiety and depression, conditions that affect up to 70% of mothers of children with additional needs;
• Self-esteem and confidence: as they develop new skills, children and teenagers feel part of a community.

“Abraço Atípico brings together sports, mental health and communication technology with a single purpose: to give atypical families a voice and opportunities. Projects like this show us that innovation is not only about digital tools, but also about how we apply our collective intelligence to transform people’s lives,” adds Helen Garcia, Director of Special Projects at AnaMid.

Why the digital market should embrace this cause

Brazil’s digital sector already generates more than R$ 250 billion a year in marketing, technology and communications. We therefore have an enormous capacity to influence and fund social change. Connecting this potential with Abraço Atípico means channeling part of this economic strength directly to atypical families and creating a cycle of positive impact.

It also aligns with ESG values (Environmental, Social and Governance), which investors, partners and consumers increasingly expect companies to uphold. Companies that actively participate in social initiatives strengthen their reputation, engage employees and build more human brands.

VitaminaWeb believes that technology and inclusion go hand in hand. That is why we are committed to bringing Projeto Abraço Atípico to as many people as possible through digital communications and the necessary technology infrastructure. Together with AnaMid, we also want to mobilize the entire digital market to support this cause through the Sports Incentive Law.

If the future is digital, let it also be fairer, more inclusive and more humane.