A
press photo in the newspaper some while ago caught my eye, in which a
blind man with a white stick is helped by a lady at his side, looking
like he was negotiating his way in the city street to go somewhere. I
was sure that was Ernest Benach, president of the Parliament. Only that
Benach is not blind. Reading the caption confirms his identity. He was
just heading a group of government deputies carrying out an experiment,
having themselves blindfolded to experience what kind of difficulties
the blind people have in certain basic activities like walking in a busy
city street. With the objective of improving what is necessary to make
their life easier.
Taking part in the group were several government officials, both male and female, and each was provided with a white stick and accompanied by a guide from ONCE (organisation independent of public administration, and dedicated to humanitarian services without gain, helping the physically incapacitated to find work, etc.). These 'blind' group moved around the Parliament area in the city centre at the peak hour in Barcelona.
The circuit included all sorts of obstacles which the sighted would have taken for granted as all normal and insignificant, not worth a second thought. The uneven surfaces, slops, steps, road work signs and barriers, building sites with work in progress, scaffolding, street cafes with tables, chairs and lampposts, sunshades (those enormous sun umbrellas), and menu stands in front of the street eateries, flower pots, always hurrying waiters with full trays, other pedestrians with prams, running toddlers, dogs and cats ... This exercise was also with the incentive to raise awareness of the public to be considerate and helpful to their fellow citizens.
Not sure whether other countries do similar experiment. What the Spanish did is admirable. Who says all politicians are all talk and no action?
Current Mood: 
Chipper
Chipper
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