Sir, Thanks for motivating me. Yes, I will write more articles about it.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2024, 8:35 AM Reach Now <[email protected]> wrote: > Exceptionally well said and well written. > > Please keep them coming. > > Rajesh from Noida > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Cauvery Krishna <[email protected]> > *To:* [email protected] > *Cc:* faiyaz attar <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Monday, September 30, 2024 3:06 AM > *Subject:* Re: [AI] A Journey of Understanding and Empathy: My > Experiences with Visually Impaired Individuals > > 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 > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAK%3DRgBBu_83zzqqM5%2Ba0TCd%2Bc5pWMj364K0kzvvd2BS1p9FpFQ%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/9421746D101A408981ABA670F8C1C986%40rajesh > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/9421746D101A408981ABA670F8C1C986%40rajesh?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/CAEZrAXD_nGrudjEfi73qKsa6GC9ejnZDZnZSQFzAH46i-17ndQ%40mail.gmail.com.
