VIPS Announces Name Change to Better Align with its Mission

Louisville, KY – January 31, 2025 – Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) is proud to celebrate 40 years of serving young children with blindness or low vision and their families. As part of this milestone anniversary, VIPS is announcing a significant update to its acronym, which will now stand for Vision Interventions and Parental Support (VIPS).

As the first and only nonprofit in Kentucky and Indiana to provide vision-specific early intervention services, VIPS supports children from birth to three years old in homes and community settings, as well as children ages two to five through its center-based program in Louisville, KY.

This change underscores the organization’s unwavering dedication to empowering children with blindness or low vision to discover their unique strengths, embrace their potential, and thrive beyond limitations, building a future where they can flourish with confidence and independence.

Why the Change?

This redefinition reflects VIPS’ commitment to adopting language that clearly articulates its mission of empowering families by providing educational excellence to young children with blindness or low vision. The organization recognizes that terms like “visually impaired” no longer align with evolving standards of inclusivity, which celebrate each child’s individuality and potential rather than defining them by their diagnosis. By adopting terminology that prioritizes individuals over labels, VIPS reaffirms its belief that every child is so much more than their diagnosis.

The updated acronym, “Vision Interventions and Parental Support,” better reflects the comprehensive services VIPS provides to all children and families. While the primary focus of early intervention is often on the child, VIPS embraces a holistic, family-centered approach. By empowering parents and caregivers with knowledge and confidence, the organization ensures that families can continue to support their child’s growth well beyond the duration of the intervention, creating lasting and transformative impacts for everyone involved.

What Stays the Same?

Although the acronym has evolved, families can trust in VIPS’ steadfast dedication to their children’s development, education, and future. Kids Town Preschool programming, early intervention visits in homes throughout Kentucky and Indiana, and support services will continue as always. The nonprofit will also maintain its current logo and branding.

When asked what VIPS stands for, the organization will proudly share: “VIPS provides critical early vision interventions and parental support for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are blind or have low vision.” That has remained true for 40 years.

A Message to the Community

The updated acronym and focus reflect VIPS’ growth and evolution. “We have been VIPS for 40 years and will continue to be known as VIPS,” said Diane Nelson, Executive Director of VIPS. “However, over these 40 years, we have evolved and grown, focusing on offering specialized services when and where we can have the greatest impact for the most children. When 90% of a child’s early learning is through vision and 85% of brain development occurs before age 6, we know that it is critical to provide educational support as soon as possible.”

Taylor Gehring, President of the Board of Directors and mother of a VIPS graduate, echoed Diane’s sentiments adding that “VIPS is making a meaningful shift to reflect the services provided for the needs of young children with low vision and their families. Their mission is critical to establish a successful early childhood education foundation for the children they serve, as well as the families and caregivers of these children. VIPS will continue to be a pillar of excellence serving these families and children, with a refreshed acronym that serves as their North Star of 2025 and beyond.”

About VIPS

Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, VIPS is a nonprofit organization that serves young children who are blind or have low vision in Kentucky and Indiana. VIPS provides early intervention and educational services, empowering families with resources and guidance to help children reach developmental milestones. Beginning with home services for eight local children in 1985, VIPS expanded to Lexington, KY in 1990 and Indiana in 2011. Today, VIPS delivers direct services to families across all 120 counties in Kentucky and 92 counties in Indiana. The organization operates from three locations: Louisville, Lexington, and Indianapolis. VIPS serves over 750 children and families annually, reflecting its significant growth and impact over the past 40 years. VIPS has exciting community engagement opportunities in 2025, for more information about its services or ways to get involved, please visit www.vips.org or contact 888.636.8477.