The Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO) hosts the day “Taste Diversity” with the aim of raising awareness and bringing the reality of disability to the university environment. The conference was organized in collaboration with Inserta Empleo and Fundación ONCE. In addition, during the programming, the Paralympic athlete and trainer, Alejandro Sánchez Palomero, gave a talk.
The general secretary of the university, Jesús Peña, and the director of Inserta Empleo in Cantabria and Asturias, Beatríz Ávila Cobos, presented the day and spoke about the importance of these initiatives to “make visible realities that are part of our daily lives”. They also emphasized that this is a life-long learning and enriching experience, which allows for the understanding of different realities and encourages personal growth. Both interventions agreed on the importance of reflecting on what accessibility means and understanding it from multiple perceptions. This colloquium is part of the week dedicated to inclusion.
For his part, the elite athlete, Alejandro Sánchez Palomero, with two bronze medals in four Paralympic Games, shared with the students his story of resilience and overcoming, marked by a serious accident that made him lose an arm. Sánchez explained how sport became a tool to claim and accept itself as it is, encouraging attendees to find their purpose day by day. After success in swimming and triathlon, he now seeks to qualify for the Angels 2028 in taekwondo, being a pioneer in participating in three disciplines. As a final message, the sportsman shared some reflections centered on “trusting oneself, never giving up, living with a positive attitude, being patient and never betraying one’s values.”
Several information points were also made available in the university’s exhibition hall. They included a stand on the braille system and several interactive spaces with games, the latter allowing students and staff to understand accessibility from different perceptions.
Through this type of initiatives, UNEATLANTICO seeks to bring the reality of disability closer to the university environment.
If you want to know more about Alejandro Sánchez Palomero, we invite you to listen to his interview on UNEATLANTICO Radio by Paula Díaz Velarde and Alex Martín, both journalism students.