Joaquim Viana is a Portuguese Sign Language teaching graduate by the Escola Superior de Educação de Coimbra. Since 1995, he has been working in the Ministry of Education, in universities, in the Associação de Surdos do Porto, and other public and private entities.  

Associação de Surdos do Porto (ASPorto) aims to advocate and promote the social, economic, moral and professional interests of their Deaf associates, as well as the Deaf community in general. These purpose may also address to their families whenever this will benefit the Deaf person. The promotion, teaching and dissemination of Portuguese Sign Language are some of the key aspects of its activity.