DeuSens Wins the Discapnet VIII Award for Accessible Technology

Some awards are won for innovating. Others are won for changing lives. The Discapnet VIII Award for Accessible Technology, given out by Fundación ONCE, belongs to the second group — and at DeuSens we couldn't be prouder to have won it with "Paso Adelante", the Virtual Reality project we built together with Fundación VASS for Down España.

"Paso Adelante", the project that won over the jury

The jury recognized "Paso Adelante" in the category for the best product or service already on the market improving quality of life for people with disabilities. The reason has a lot to do with a number few people know: according to the European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA), 95% of people with Down syndrome in the European Union are unemployed.

Starting from that reality, we designed a Virtual Reality hyperxperience that trains pre-employment skills in a safe, repeatable way, free of pressure. No theory involved: users put on Meta Quest 3 headsets and practice for real, as many times as they need, until they build confidence.

From Mixed Reality to Virtual Reality: training real autonomy

The experience combines 360º interactive videos with carefully crafted training scenarios. One module lets users rehearse something as everyday as leaving home and taking the bus; another focuses on workplace routines, like organizing what you need or planning your schedule before a shift.

All the content was developed hand in hand with therapists from Down Aragón, to make each scene as close to real life as possible. And there's a detail that makes all the difference: the scenes are led by young people with Down syndrome, which makes every session feel a lot closer to home.

Technology with purpose, DeuSens's signature

As Javier Alonso, Commercial Director at DeuSens, puts it:

"Integration doesn't happen only in the workplace, it starts long before: in autonomy, in confidence, and in the chance to practice real situations without fear. That's why Paso Adelante is so valuable: it trains essential skills in a safe, close, adapted environment, driving inclusion from the ground up."

This award adds to a path DeuSens has been walking for over 11 years: using immersive technology not just to surprise, but to solve real problems. "Paso Adelante" is available for free on the Meta Store for Meta Quest devices, so any family, school, or social organization can use it at no cost as part of pre-employment training.