Dialogue in the Dark – Empowering understanding and empathy! by Chris Lau
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be blind or partially sighted?
Can you empathize with someone with a disability if you are placed into their environment?
Just how important are your different human senses?
‘Dialogue in the Dark’ (DITD) http://www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com, the brain child of Andreas Heinecke, is a revolutionary program challenging people’s perceptions as well as empowering people with disabilities. It all started when Andreas was charged with developing a rehabilitation programme for a blind colleague. Till then his contact with blind people was next to none. This encounter challenged his misconceptions; Andreas wondered how the public viewed the blind. Thus DITD was born and is currently educating people all around the world.
Ideals behind Dialogue in the Dark:
Facilitate social inclusion of marginalized people on a global basis.
Raise awareness and create tolerance for otherness in the general public and thereby overcome barriers.
Create jobs for disadvantaged people by turning negatives into potentials, and thereby strengthening their self-esteem.
The DITD concept is powerfully simple! In completely darkened rooms, blind people lead small groups of guests through an exhibition in which everyday situations are experienced altogether differently, ie: without eyesight.
A role reversal takes place! Sighted people are dependent on blind people to help them navigate in the complete darkness. Blind people provide a sense of orientation and mobility.
People learn through encounters and experience! DITD allows people to experience a whole new situation! Participants:
Learn about their own limitations...
Come to understand the importance of empathy, communication and solidarity
Develop respect for people who see and feel the world differently
Also:
Since 1988 there have been exhibitions in over 25 countries and more than 150 cities in Asia, Middle East, America and Europe.
Numerous permanent exhibitions exist in Germany, USA, Italy, and Israel to name a few.
Over 6 million visitors worldwide have experienced what it means to hear, smell, taste and touch things, without being able to see them.
Since 1988 over 6000 blind and partially sighted people worldwide have gained income and recognition thanks to their participation.
Visitors, questioned five years later, remembered 100% of the experience. 90% felt sensitized to the world of the blind, 52% recommended it to their friends and family, and 34% wanted to experience the exhibition a second time.
A simple idea changing people’s perceptions and prejudices! For more on ‘Dialogue in the Dark’ and how Andreas was inspired by a blind colleague, please read our exclusive interview with him coming very soon!
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