The C.A.R.E. project aimed to create a lasting impact on the lives of visually impaired young people, supporting their personal, educational, and professional development in an integrated way. It improved self-esteem and psychomotor skills through tactile ceramic workshops, fostering reconnection with the body and creative expression (Objective 1). It also enhanced employability and entrepreneurial spirit by providing practical skills and transferable experiences for future careers (Objective 2). At the same time, it promoted active participation in local communities, helping V.I. youth feel included and valued (Objective 3). At the institutional level, it strengthened the capacity of educational and cultural organisations to offer inclusive and adaptive ceramic education (Objective 4), and provided trainers and youth workers with inclusive tools and methodologies to support V.I. youth in a creative and meaningful way (Objective 5). In summary, the project unlocked their potential, strengthened independence and confidence, and contributed to changing the perception of disability, presenting visually impaired youth as creative and active individuals in society.
We submitted an application for this project to address the social and developmental needs of young people with visual impairments, a condition that is often misunderstood and profoundly affects self-awareness, independence and social identity. Following the insights of Enrico Negri, the project uses experiential learning, particularly ceramics, to enhance psychomotor skills, body perception and self-esteem. Through practical workshops, participants improve their mobility and coordination, strengthen their autonomy and rebuild their social identity, finding new ways of creative expression. The programme also offers professional prospects, fostering inclusion and connection with peers and promoting learning tailored to their sensory abilities. This reduces dependence on caregivers, increases personal confidence and develops skills useful in combating unemployment, enabling young people to see themselves as capable individuals, artists and active members of the community.