Visual impairment (VI) in children and adolescents presents a complex challenge that goes far beyond vision loss. It profoundly impacts physical development, cognitive functions, and social interactions, often leaving families and caregivers without adequate tools or resources to address these diverse needs. Traditional care models focus narrowly on clinical aspects, frequently neglecting the psychological and social dimensions that are equally critical to the overall well-being of individuals with VI.

VIPPSTAR addresses this gap by integrating cutting-edge technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), serious gaming, and wearable sensors—with clinical expertise and educational innovation. Uniting researchers, practitioners, and technologists across Europe, the project aims to build a comprehensive and personalized rehabilitation ecosystem to support children, adolescents, and their families at every stage of development.

At the heart of VIPPSTAR lies the belief that every child deserves the tools to achieve autonomy and thrive, regardless of their visual abilities. Current approaches often limit themselves to managing vision loss, overlooking the broader developmental needs of these individuals. VIPPSTAR seeks to transcend traditional boundaries by blending advanced technology with user-centered design, empowering visually impaired youth to lead fulfilling lives.

By actively engaging families, clinicians, and educators in the process, the project ensures practical, effective, and impactful solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges faced by these children.

VIPPSTAR employs an interdisciplinary approach that merges clinical expertise with technological innovation.
Its key methods include:

🖥️ AI-Powered Tools
Development of an adaptive avatar to support health, nutrition, and social inclusion, using natural language processing (NLP) to interact conversationally with children.

🎮 Extended Reality (XR)
Serious games designed to enhance spatial orientation and cognitive skills using multisensory inputs.

👕 Smart Textiles
Wearable technology equipped with sensors to monitor physical activity and provide real-time feedback, enabling adaptive and effective therapy.

📊 Data-Driven Insights
Establishing VIPPSTAR-NET, a cross-national data network for long-term monitoring and research to refine care strategies.

All these innovations are rigorously tested in real-world settings through a regulatory sandbox, ensuring ethical compliance, user safety, and adherence to privacy standards.

VIPPSTAR aims to deliver transformative results that redefine care for visually impaired children and adolescents:

✅ Enhanced Autonomy: Tools designed to help visually impaired individuals independently manage daily activities and challenges.
✅ Improved Cognitive and Physical Skills: Gamified rehabilitation solutions that make therapy not only effective but also enjoyable.
✅ Actionable Data Insights: A robust cross-national network offering critical insights to refine and personalize care strategies.
✅ Ethical Innovation: AI-driven tools tested and validated in controlled environments, ensuring both privacy and safety while maintaining cutting-edge functionality.

By achieving these outcomes, VIPPSTAR sets new benchmarks for inclusion, accessibility, and technological advancement in healthcare.

The societal, economic, and financial impacts of VIPPSTAR are profound. By empowering visually impaired youth, the project contributes to increased independence, better quality of life, and reduced caregiving burdens.

Economically, the introduction of innovative rehabilitation tools opens avenues for new markets in assistive technologies. Socially, VIPPSTAR fosters inclusion by equipping individuals with the tools they need to participate fully in their communities.

Its ethical approach ensures long-lasting benefits, creating a model for future healthcare innovations that prioritize both technological advancement and human dignity.

A selected list of publications