Dining out when you’re blind or you have low vision is much more complex that merely finding the food on your plate.
Vision Australia has developed a fundraiser for blindness and low vision services across the south-eastern suburbs to illustrate the point – Dinner in the Dark.
Vision Australia south-east Melbourne regional manager Janet Lloyd-McNelis says people with a vision impairment face many challenges when eating at a restaurant.
“A lot of our clients can find it quite challenging if the lighting is poor, or the printing on the menu is too small or hard to read, the restaurant is hard to navigate and if you can’t see what’s on your plate,” Janet says.
“It can be embarrassing, especially if you’ve suffered recent vision loss.”
Dinner in the Dark guests are blindfolded or asked to wear goggles that simulate one of a range of vision conditions. “It shows everyone in the sighted community some of the logistical difficulties that people with a vision impairment face every time they do something as simple as going out for a meal,” Janet says.
“And the money we raise supports the services we provide to people who are blind or have low vision.”
Vision Australia is Australia’s largest provider is services for the blind and low vision community, including occupational therapy experts, orientation and mobility specialists, assistive technology consultants, support for My Aged Car and National Disability Insurance Scheme and access to physical activities and social groups.
Dinner in the Dark will be held at Doyle’s Bridge Hotel in Mordialloc on Saturday, 20 May from 7.00pm. Tickets are $65 per person, or $55 per person for bookings of four people or more. Bookings close 13 May.
To book, phone 8791 0201 or email Vision Australia's Dandenong office here.