The two-day event, Antarchakshu, focused on three aspects: education, transportation, routine activities and accessible consumer products.
Imagine working, boarding a bus or even shopping blindfolded.
This is exactly what students and professionals experienced at a sensitisation workshop-cum-exhibition organised by the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) at St Xavier’s College on Wednesday.
The two-day event, Antarchakshu, focused on three aspects: education, transportation, routine activities and accessible consumer products.
“No amount of lectures can make one understand ground realities. The experiential learning process is aimed at sensitising people about the lives of the visually challenged and will give people a deeper understanding of the problems faced,” said Sam Taraporevala, XRCVC director. From getting a taste of the hazards on our roads and accessibility problems, to learning skills required for identifying, travelling and boarding a bus, around 580 participants went through the experience blindfolded.
“Let alone the right infrastructure, we don’t even have the right attitude towards disability in India. The workshop should make people aware of the needs of disabled,” said Arun Sehgal, visiting professor at the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
Several participants said the best feature was the two BEST buses which were stationed inside the college. “I learnt how difficult it is for the visually challenged to board our buses, let alone identify whether it’s the correct one or not,” said Zeenat Motiwala, student of the Bombay Teachers’ Training College (Colaba).
Around 130 student volunteers guided the participants as they tried to shop, walk through hurdles, and assemble circuits, among other things. “Some participants were nervous and insecure since they couldn’t see anything,” said Henna Khemani, a student-guide.
Ravi Thakur, a visually challenged Xavier’s alumni, said the target audience this year was not just students, but professionals, academicians and corporates. “Visually challenged professionals from various fields de-briefed the participants. People should realise that we are equally capable,” said Thakur, who works with the National Association for the Blind.
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