This past summer, Sightsavers—a development organization that focuses on preventing blindness when it can be prevented, restoring sight when possible, and fighting for the visually impaired on political, social, and accessibility levels—set up a photography workshop for blind photography enthusiasts. The photography workshop was sponsored by HH Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi and provided lessons for the visually impaired attendees regarding how to engage in photography and improve their technique. The photos showcased blind people in their day-to-day lives, with the workshop itself emphasizing the talents of these blind photography enthusiasts and being the first in a series of events throughout India collectively titled “The Blind View.”

This “The Blind View” campaign’s events were held with the help of the Beyond Sight Foundation (BSF).

HH Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi is part of the royal family of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah and had previously partnered with Sightsavers to organize “Ability of Disability – A Night of Melody” in Mumbai. The artistic event featured the talents of disabled artists, including the famous Abhijeet Sawant. Her Highness was also involved in organizing the Food for Change effort, which brought together donors from around the world to partner, network, and team up to help make a major social impact through their charitable donations. All donations were given to organizations chosen specifically by the various donors; examples of organizations that received funds as a result of this event included ones centered around education, children, giving elderly citizens shelter, helping pay for the medical bills of the poor, and assisting homeless women who are mentally ill.

The top selections from “The Blind View” workshops were featured in three exhibitions as envisioned by Mr. Partho Bhowmick, the Founder of BSF:

• Mumbai: Inorbit Mall, Malad West, August 01-02 2015
• Bangalore: Garuda Mall, 10-11 October 2015
• Delhi: British Council, 1-2 December 2015

Both Princess Arwa Al Qassimi and Sightsavers’ Jatin Tiwari are on the record as being eager to bring such workshops and activities to the UAE.

For Partho Bhowmick, the founder of BSF, “The key objective behind this innovative initiative was to look beyond blindness and motivate the participants to believe in themselves and pursue their interest.”

The blind enthusiasts who attended the workshops were trained by skilled professionals, among them Bhavesh Patel, a world-famous visually impaired photographer, who even recently produced a photo shoot for a Lux ad with Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.

As Mr. Amal Gupta, a principal manager for Sightsavers, explained his organizations’ purpose with The Blind View: “Our main goal in organizing the event was to showcase the ability of disabled people and to offer an enabling environment to the visually challenged. Our hopes are that they can contribute to the economy rather than being dependent on it.”

The workshops and exhibitions of “The Blind View” are aimed at shaping public perceptions about blindness, to help them appreciate their unique senses and talents by showing what they are capable of producing artistically. The photos are photos taken by the blind and are of the blind, showing them going about their everyday lives.

Blindness is more than just not seeing, it is also an enhanced ability to perceive along other lines, with other senses. A person can “see” without their eyes; thus, a blind person can say “I’ve lost my sight; not vision,” which is just what “The Blind View” exhibitions are all about. In the end, attendees can experience a chance to understand the exciting and inspiring world of the visually impaired.

In some countries, the cultural, social, and political setting can frequently make it difficult or even impossible for the visually impaired to participate in everyday life in ways that those possessing sight take for granted. Basic activities like reading books, using machines, taking money from an ATM, and using public transportation are all actions that require accommodation and/or assistance. The Blind View wants to help end this unfairness by lobbying governments to legislate and implement laws and regulations that ensure the blind can use and enjoy as many public and even other services and activities as possible. If you want to help bring about this change, sign the petition and read more at http://www.theblindview.in/.