DINING out when you’re blind or have low vision is much more complex than just finding the food on your plate.
To demonstrate this, Vision Australia has developed a fundraiser for blindness and low-vision services: Dinner in the Dark will be held at Doyle’s Bridge Hotel, Mordialloc, 7pm, Saturday 20 May.
The organisation’s south-east 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,” Ms Lloyd-McNelis said.
“It can be embarrassing, especially if you’ve suffered recent vision loss.”
Dinner in the Dark guests are blindfolded or given goggles to simulate one of a range of vision conditions.
“This 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.”
Money raised supports Vision Australia services for those who are blind or have low vision.
The organisation is Australia’s largest provider of services to the blind and low vision community. It offers the services of occupational, orientation and mobility specialists, assistive technology consultants, support for My Aged Care and National Disability Insurance Scheme and access to physical activities and social groups.
Tickets for Dinner in the Dark are $65 per person, or $55 per person for bookings of four people or more.
Bookings close 13 May. Call 8791 0201 or email dandenong@visionaustralia.org
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 3 May 2017
