Holon: Dialogue in the Dark

When researching before leaving for this long trip about unusual things to do in Israel, I stumbled upon this experience in Holon. It takes about an hour to get there from Tel Aviv (via bus) or about a 20-25 min taxi ride.

At the Children's Museum, you are given the opportunity to experience what life would be like as a blind person.

Because I was blind, and of course phones are not allowed, I was not able to capture anything to show my experience. However, it was truly a remarkable one.

For an hour and fifteen minutes, you are in pitch blackness, experiencing just "routine" situations for the everyday person. Going grocery shopping. Crossing the street. Eating at a café. Riding a boat. Walking through the rainforest. Being a guest in someone's else home. Listening to a symphony.

This entire journey is guided by someone who is blind. So in order to really enjoy your experience you have to put a lot of trust in yourself and in your guide.

I've held off on writing for the past few days because I knew that I wanted Dialogue in the Dark to be the first thing I talked about in Israel.

This experience was truly life-changing for me. As an able-bodied person, I have lived a much easier life than those with physical impairments. Through DITD, I was able to really understand how life is for others who are not sighted.

Yes, senses do heighten. I feel like the music I listened to while blind was some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. I ate in the dark, ordered food, and paid in the dark. I only enjoyed chocolates and water, so I can't attest to how eating normal food would be. But it was truly an amazing experience. When at the café, my guide sat us down and gave us the opportunity to ask him any questions.

When I asked, "What do you wish sighted people could know about your experience?" He responded, "I would want them to know that without sight does not mean without knowledge."

My guide was not only blind, but was also half-deaf. His only education was attending a specialized elementary, middle, and high school for the blind. He described many difficulties in finding work as a person visually-impaired. But he is hopeful through more education, that more and more employers will begin to hire visually-impaired people in the workforce without seeing their impairment as an one that affects their capabilities as an employee.

i seriously recommend this experience if you're ever in Israel. It's worth it.