Dining in the dark to understand the blind

A company launched a unique “Dine in the Dark” event here to help sighted people understand those living with visual disabilities and ensure a more equal society based on merit and not physical ability.
Atheeb Social Development, a nonprofit organization, sponsored the event in collaboration with Dans Le Noir of France.
The program was hosted by Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmed, chairman of Atheeb Group, and was held under the aegis of Prince Sultan bin Salman, the president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). Princess Maha bint Abdulaziz bin Ahmed is the chairperson of the Atheeb Social Development organization.
“Dining in total darkness, when guided and served by blind people, is a unique experience that changes our view of the world by reversing the perspective. It is a sensory experience that shakes our senses and helps us re-evaluate our perception of taste and smell,” said Fabrice Roszczka, from Dans Le Noir, in his introductory remarks.
“It is such a human experience, when for once the visually impaired becomes our eyes to guide us into an intriguing and sensual environment.”
The goal of this project is to help the visually impaired in the Saudi job market. The proceeds from the event would help support training programs for the employment of the visually impaired, he said.
Dans Le Noir is an international group based in Europe that has run permanent restaurants and projects over the last 10 years in Paris, London, Barcelona, St. Petersburg and New York.
A Dans Le Noir team came from Paris and London to train the Saudi male and female visually impaired groups.
“Imagine how heightened and alert your other senses will be. The experience will be very serene and human. If you like my idea and would like to experience a world without eyes for a few hours, then you have the opportunity to do just that,” said Naqi Haider Rizvi, a blind engineering graduate.
“The setting of tables in the restaurant was designed to facilitate movement in the dark. The guides in the restaurant are blind and will become your eyes for two hours. They assist you from the beginning until the end and will allow you to feel the world with the other four senses that you have been gifted with but often undervalue,” he said.
He said customers would be asked about their food preferences but would not know the type of food they are eating. They have to use their other senses to guess the items.
Upon arrival, a brief orientation will be given to attendees and they will be taken inside in the dark. Each person will hold onto the shoulder of the person in front of him. The people are then seated and eat in complete darkness.