Very well written On Mon, 30 Sept 2024, 00:38 Project Manager, <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello everyone, > > I hope you are all doing well. > > I am happy to share my recent blog with you. This is my first experience > writing a blog, and I have learned so much from this community. I wanted to > share it with you first and would love to receive your valuable suggestions > and feedback. > > Looking forward to improving and learning more. > > > > Last month, I had the privilege of visiting Chennai and meeting an old > friend of mine, who is 100% visually impaired. He is my former classmate > from Azim Premji University (APU) and currently working in one of the > leading disability organisation in Chennai. During our time together, we > explored the city and even visited the Government Museum of Chennai. It was > an insightful and eye-opening experience. > > While exploring the museum, I realized how challenging it can be for a > visually impaired person to access visual artifacts. Most of the paintings > were enclosed under glass, making it difficult for my friend to understand > them through touch or feel. However, we approached several statues, and I > began explaining the details to him. When he started touching the statue to > feel its form, a security officer interrupted us, citing the rule against > touching exhibits. After I explained the situation and the importance of > tactile engagement for visually impaired individuals, the officer > graciously allowed us to continue and then he also joined me. It was > heartwarming to see my friend’s excitement as he explored the sculptures > through touch, and he continuously asked questions, engaging deeply with > the exhibits. > > This experience made me reflect on the power of tactile perception for > visually impaired individuals. As Helen Keller once said, "The best and > most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must > be felt with the heart." My friend's joy and curiosity reminded me that > accessibility is not merely a convenience but a fundamental right that > enriches experiences for all. > > Another memorable incident occurred when students from our organization, > Deepstambh Foundation, visited a nearby gaushala (cowshed) which also > housed a small museum. At the entrance stood a statue of Lord Krishna. Our > visually impaired students were eager to feel the sculpture, carefully > tracing Krishna’s face, eyes, nose, lips, and the flute in his hands. They > even touched the cow statue beside him. I observed the contentment and > happiness on their faces as they connected with these forms through touch. > It was a poignant moment that highlighted the importance of making art and > artifacts accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. > > One of our students, who had never engaged with such tactile exhibits, > shared afterward, "When I touched the face of Krishna, I felt like I was > seeing him for the first time." This powerful statement reinforced the idea > that true understanding goes beyond sight it requires a deeper connection. > > A third significant encounter happened at the lluminate event organized by > Bajaj’s CSR initiative, where I had the opportunity to interact with a > deaf-blind person for the first time. I had always been curious about how > people with dual sensory impairments communicate, and this event provided > me with a deeper understanding of tactile sign language. The use of touch > to convey meaning was a revelation for me. It was truly inspiring to > witness how touch, a sense often taken for granted, becomes a language of > its own, enabling complex interactions. > > These experiences were echoed during our inclusive mobility training > sessions for visually impaired students. As part of the training, I > facilitated the formation of inclusive volunteer groups where a visually > impaired student, a student with locomotor disabilities, and a > hearing-impaired student worked together. Despite initial challenges, > within two days, the visually impaired students learned to communicate > basic English alphabets using sign language. By the third day, they were > able to use the newly acquired skill to introduce themselves confidently. > The progress was astonishing and underscored the adaptability and > resilience of individuals with disabilities when given the right support > and opportunities. > > Another impactful experience was in our organization’s Learning > Laboratory. We have various educational materials in tactile form, allowing > students to reinforce their understanding through touch. After theoretical > lectures, our educators emphasize using these tactile resources. I have > observed firsthand how quickly the students grasp concepts when they can > physically interact with the materials. This multi-sensory learning > approach has proven to be immensely effective, demonstrating that hands-on > experiences can be a powerful tool for education. > > All these incidents have deepened my understanding of the unique ways in > which visually impaired individuals perceive the world. As Jose Feliciano, > a celebrated blind musician, once said, "I see with my heart. I can hear > the shape of things. I have learned to sense the unseen and turn it into my > strength." This quote encapsulates the essence of my experiences. when one > sense is absent, the others are heightened, allowing visually impaired > individuals to experience the world in extraordinary ways. > > From these encounters, I’ve come to appreciate that visually impaired > individuals, despite their lack of sight, often possess heightened senses > of touch, smell, and hearing. They navigate and engage with the world > around them through these senses, which become their primary means of > perception and communication. It’s a powerful reminder that accessibility > and inclusion are not just about removing physical barriers but also about > recognizing and supporting the diverse ways people experience the world. > > In conclusion, I believe that our efforts to create inclusive spaces > whether in museums, educational institutions, or everyday environments must > go beyond mere compliance. It’s about fostering an atmosphere of empathy > and understanding. When we make these spaces accessible we open up > opportunities for deeper engagement, learning, and joy. As we strive > towards a more inclusive society, let’s remember the words of George > Shearing, a renowned blind jazz pianist: “Everything I have done, I have > done out of a blind belief in my abilities, never allowing what I lacked to > overshadow what I had.” > > Thank for reading > > Rudresh Sanjay Patil > (Project manager for PWD and Orphan) > Deepstambh Manobal Foundation > > -- > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of > the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "AccessIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAEZrAXAcULjxrg57P-BO%3DEi967P%3DLBU%3DPnc8SwP38-%3D%3D4rPPnQ%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAEZrAXAcULjxrg57P-BO%3DEi967P%3DLBU%3DPnc8SwP38-%3D%3D4rPPnQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAK%3DRgBBu_83zzqqM5%2Ba0TCd%2Bc5pWMj364K0kzvvd2BS1p9FpFQ%40mail.gmail.com.
