Two events demonstrate challenges of blindness
Students and community members will have the opportunity to walk in someone else's shoes on Wednesday as a part of Disability Awareness Week.
The Volunteer Center is sponsoring two events to give students a new perspective on the world around them. The first of the two events, titled Hazed and Confused, is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pearce/Anspach courtyard.
Participants will engage in a variety of activities, including obstacle courses using blindfolds and wheelchairs.
"The event is in the courtyard because we're hoping that students will be able to come and go between classes," said Tim Novak, Davidson graduate assistant for the Volunteer Center and assistant coordinator of the event. "In the past, Hazed and Confused has had a very good response."
The second event, Braille Games, is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Chippewa Room of the Bovee University Center.
The event will include a lesson on Braille, as well as a game of blindfolded Hangman, said TaNisha Parker, Detroit sophomore and coordinator for both Braille Games and Hazed and Confused. Participants will have the opportunity to make their own Braille posters, door hangings or other messages at the end of the event.
Parker hopes people who come to the event learn about the challenges of blindness.
"People who aren't blind often don't realize that those who are blind have to learn two languages, not only their own, but also the language of Braille," she said.
This is the third year of Disability Awareness Week, an event sponsored by the David Garcia Project. The project was founded in 2003 in an effort to raise disability awareness.
Both Hazed and Confused and Braille Games look to bring a heightened sense of awareness of the everyday lives of the disabled in the community.
"If you look around, many of the buildings on this campus aren't as accessible as they need to be. We hope this event helps people take note," Novak said.
Both the Braille Games and Hazed and Confused are free and open to the public.
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