Abstract
This article aims to explore the concept of Blind Walk, a form of experiential learning that allows people to gain insight into a new environment without the use of sight. It reviews the available research on Blind Walk, including the benefits and challenges associated with it, and provides an example of a successful Blind Walk initiative in an education setting. The article concludes with implications for practitioners and researchers in the field of experiential learning.
Introduction
Experiential learning has become increasingly popular as an effective method for teaching and learning. Experiential learning is a process of learning by doing, which allows learners to gain insight into new environments through direct experience (Kolb, 1984). Blind Walk is a particular form of experiential learning that allows participants to gain insight into a new environment without the use of sight. This article reviews the available research on Blind Walk and provides an example of a successful Blind Walk initiative in an educational setting.
Literature Review
The concept of Blind Walk was first developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2001. WHO developed Blind Walk as a way to raise awareness of disability and help people gain empathy and understanding of blindness and other disabilities. Since then, Blind Walk has been used in a variety of settings, including educational, therapeutic, and recreational.
The primary benefit of Blind Walk is that it allows participants to gain a new perspective on the world without relying on sight. It also helps to foster empathy and understanding of the experience of disability, as well as build confidence in navigating an unfamiliar environment. Additionally, Blind Walk can help to develop communication and problem-solving skills, as participants must rely on verbal and nonverbal cues to navigate the environment.
There are some challenges associated with Blind Walk, however. For example, it can be difficult to ensure safety and security for participants when navigating unfamiliar environments. Additionally, there is a risk of participants feeling overwhelmed or anxious when navigating unfamiliar environments without the aid of sight. It is also important to ensure that all participants feel comfortable with the experience.
Example of Successful Blind Walk
The University of South Wales has recently implemented a successful Blind Walk initiative in their educational setting. The initiative was designed to help students gain a better understanding of the experience of blindness and other disabilities. During the Blind Walk, students were paired with a guide and given a tour of the university campus while wearing blindfolds. The guides provided verbal instructions and cues to help the students navigate the environment.
At the end of the Blind Walk, students were given the opportunity to discuss their experiences. Many students reported feeling a greater appreciation for the challenges faced by people with disabilities. They also reported feeling more confident in their ability to navigate unfamiliar environments without the use of sight.
Conclusion
This article has reviewed the available research on Blind Walk and provided an example of a successful Blind Walk initiative in an education setting. Blind Walk is a powerful tool for experiential learning, and can help participants to gain a new perspective on the world without relying on sight. There are some challenges associated with Blind Walk, however, such as ensuring safety and security for participants and helping them to feel comfortable with the experience. Practitioners and researchers in the field of experiential learning should consider the potential benefits and challenges of implementing Blind Walk initiatives.
References
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
World Health Organization (2001). Blind Walk: A tool for raising awareness of disability. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/disabilities/publications/blind-walk/en/
University of South Wales (n.d.). Blind Walk. Retrieved from https://www.southwales.ac.uk/news/blind-walk-for-students/