{"id":79737,"date":"2020-08-29T17:05:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-29T15:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/?p=79737"},"modified":"2020-08-21T07:20:22","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T05:20:22","slug":"28-00-52","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/?p=79737","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s it like to be blind? Israeli program shows by experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"center alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.reunion68.com\/Biuletyn\/img\/israel21c.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"35%\"><\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #000080;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #000080; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/whats-it-like-to-be-blind-israeli-program-shows-by-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What\u2019s it like to be blind? Israeli program shows by experience<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Abigail Klein Leichman <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr style=\"height: 15px; background: #d0e6fa; width: 100%;\">\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>In unique workshop, blind young adults lead participants in walking with a white cane, reading braille and doing tasks while unable to see.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek13.jpg\" width=\"100%\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Children in a Seeing Differently workshop try to pour water while blindfolded. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cHello, my name is Guy, and I am legally blind. I am here today to facilitate this workshop with you on visual impairments. Before I tell you my story, I will give you a blindfold to put on your eyes. Please keep it on while you listen to my story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">This is how Guy Maman begins interactive workshops in Israeli schools and workplaces through the program Roim Acheret (Seeing Differently).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">One blind and one visually impaired workshop leader invite participants to try walking with a white cane, reading braille or small print, using a smartphone, locating one another, or pouring water from one cup to another \u2014 all while blindfolded or wearing special glasses to simulate degrees and forms of visual impairment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cIn Ofek Liyladenu we believe in the power of the children. From an early age we give them a toolbox of emotional and physical skills and knowledge, equipping them with self-confidence and support,\u201d says Ofek Liyladenu Executive Director Yael Weisz-Rind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cWhen they are young, the parents represent them but when the children grow up they want to represent themselves. They want to change minds and hearts about how people perceive people with visual impairment or blindness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek5_1.jpg\" width=\"100%\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Seeing Different workshop participants feeling a braille book. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"content-alignment\">\n<div id=\"watch-description\" class=\"yt-uix-button-panel\">\n<div id=\"watch-description-text\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m0RW-SS5pfM\" width=\"680\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Based on conversations at meetings of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), Weisz-Rind believes Seeing Differently is unique.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">She was invited to present a paper about Seeing Differently at a June 10 joint conference of the ICEVI and the World Blind Union. Because of the pandemic, the conference was postponed to next year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cWe hope to inspire organizations in other countries to adopt our [Seeing Differently] model. We\u2019ve already had informal conversations with other organizations about it,\u201d Weisz-Rind tells ISRAEL21c.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>From bullied child to accomplished musician<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">One of about a dozen active volunteers in Seeing Differently, Guy Maman is a vocalist and keyboardist with the&nbsp;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #000080; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/shalva.band\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shalva Band<\/a>,<\/strong><\/span>&nbsp;a group of talented musicians with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The band captured hearts worldwide in the leadup to the&nbsp;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #000080; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/band-of-disabled-musicians-in-running-for-eurovision-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2019 Eurovision Song Contest<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span>in Tel Aviv.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">During his childhood, Maman was bullied because of his visual impairment, says Weisz-Rind. When he was a teen, his family got involved with Ofek Liyladenu and life started to change for the better.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Dreaming of being a musician, Maman took the entrance exam for the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. He failed but didn\u2019t give up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cOne of our graduates, singer and pianist Nili Seidel, has an MA in music and is completely blind. She prepared Guy to take the entrance exam again and he passed it,\u201d says Weisz-Rind. \u201cToday, he is very active in our&nbsp;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #000080; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/ofekl.org.il\/english\/programs\/musical-dreams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Musical Dreams<\/a><\/strong><\/span>&nbsp;program.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Seeing Differently volunteers also include university students, a social worker, translator and lawyer in training, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Under the guidance of an Ofek Liyladenu social worker, the volunteers practice presenting their workshop with humor and polish.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_106551\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106551\" title=\"Children in a Seeing Differently workshop experience different kinds of vision impairment. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu\" src=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1599px) 100vw, 1599px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14.jpg 1599w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-368x207.jpg 368w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-176x99.jpg 176w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-1168x657.jpg 1168w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-448x252.jpg 448w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek14-240x135.jpg 240w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1599\" height=\"900\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Children in a Seeing Differently workshop experience different kinds of vision impairment. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cThe motive was to do outreach in the wider society, but in the process they realized they need more training and better skills,\u201d says Weisz-Rind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cThis led us to invest resources in developing, with the group, a training program including CV writing, public speaking, body language and appearance, how to plan and moderate workshops, how to market and publicize the program on social media. All those skills help them in the workplace too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Each new member undergoes training and mentoring for the first couple of months with regular peer evaluation and support.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Transforming schools and workplaces<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Weisz-Rind says that since 2007, Seeing Differently has touched the lives of almost 10,000 Israelis from all walks of life. The team adapts each workshop to the specific audience: children, teachers, corporate employees, youth movement members, soldiers, medical students and even prisoners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Judging by feedback forms, Seeing Differently has a powerful impact on audiences that translates into positive changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_106552\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106552\" title=\"Teens in a community center experiencing a Seeing Differently workshop. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu\" src=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-368x207.jpg 368w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-176x99.jpg 176w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-1168x657.jpg 1168w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-448x252.jpg 448w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/www.israel21c.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ofek15-240x135.jpg 240w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Teens in a community center experiencing a Seeing Differently workshop. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cEvery year we encourage parents of children in Ofek Liyladenu to organize workshops in their children\u2019s school. We find that the whole attitude of the school changes,\u201d reports Weisz-Rind. \u201cThe program triggers immense improvements even in social relationships.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The father of a legally blind nine-year-old son said the workshop had \u201can amazing impact\u201d on his son\u2019s school. \u201cHe told me that for the first time he feels that the other children understand him and the teachers make an effort to include him in activities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">A 10-year-old sighted pupil commented, \u201cThe workshop was friendly and interesting, and we could ask any question. It was not frightening at all. If I see a blind person now, I will never make fun of him because I truly understand now what it\u2019s like to be blind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">One teacher commented after a Seeing Differently workshop, \u201cThe personal stories and the way the facilitators presented the subject made me realize that visual impairment is an integral part of life. It doesn\u2019t \u2018disable\u2019 the aptitude to become functioning adults and much more!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Often, after Seeing Differently corporate workshops, Ofek Liyladenu is asked to help the host companies make their space and culture more accessible to employees with visual disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Those requests are handled by consultants at&nbsp;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #000080; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/migdalor.org.il\/?CategoryID=352\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Migdal Or&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/span>(Lighthouse), a multi-service center dedicated to advancing people with blindness or visual impairment towards independent functioning and inclusion in the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cThe unique model of Roim Acheret started as modest initiative. A group of youngsters with visual impairments who wanted to make a contribution to the association that supported them in earlier years while outreaching to the wider society,\u201d says Weisz-Rind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u201cIn the process, they became proactive ambassadors of their community, social activists who change minds and hearts, empowered, self-confident and with a sense of pride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The non-profit Ofek Liyladenu depends on donations for its programs supporting 4,000 Jewish, Muslim and Christian children and their families.&nbsp;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #000080; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/ofekl.org.il\/english\/donations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here<\/a><\/strong><\/span> for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr style=\"height: 15px; background: #d0e6fa; width: 100%;\">\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"content-alignment\">\n<div id=\"watch-description\" class=\"yt-uix-button-panel\">\n<div id=\"watch-description-text\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><em>Zawarto\u015b\u0107 publikowanych artyku\u0142\u00f3w i materia\u0142\u00f3w nie reprezentuje pogl\u0105d\u00f3w ani opinii Reunion&#8217;68,<\/em><em><br \/>\nani te\u017c webmastera Blogu Reunion&#8217;68, chyba ze jest to wyra\u017anie zaznaczone.<br \/>\nTwoje uwagi, linki, w\u0142asne artyku\u0142y lub wiadomo\u015bci prze\u015blij na adres:<br \/>\n<\/em><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><em><a style=\"color: #000080;\" href=\"mailto:webmaster@reunion68.com\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">webmaster@reunion68.com<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr style=\"width: 100%;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What\u2019s it like to be blind? Israeli program shows by experience Abigail Klein Leichman In unique workshop, blind young adults lead participants in walking with a white cane, reading braille and doing tasks while unable to see. Children in a Seeing Differently workshop try to pour water while blindfolded. Photo courtesy of Ofek Liyladenu \u201cHello, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[26,24],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79737"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=79737"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79749,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79737\/revisions\/79749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=79737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=79737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=79737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}