Through our research we undertook we discovered a range of perceptions by the general public on what they thought of the visually impaired and their ability to be creative. By conducting a number interviews and surveys among the general public. Including certain significant people who were visually impaired or who had supported a visually impaired person in some method.
Our secondary research consisted of discovering the latest technology for the visually impaired, creative outlets for visionally impaired people, exhibitions that were targeting the visionally impaired and articles relating to visually impaired people. We also discovered photography blog, containing photos by a small group of visually impaired people. Through this blog each individual explained their process through capturing photos while being visually impaired. Though this information was insightful it was important that we got the general public’s perspective.
From the information taken through the surveys, we found some consistency. Often we found that short answers with no explanation became the responses. Though they others were direct, when asked to explain their answers they were unable to.
It also seemed like people where happy to attend and assist in the creation of the exhibit. They would also like to learn more and provide more accessibility to the vision impaired within the design and creative industry. They also have a lack of knowledge about their contributions to society, especially in the area of the vision impaired they have heard of, it was often a select few famous musicians: Andrea Bocelli, Stevie wonder and Jose Feliciano. Though know one didn’t even know of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. An indigenous Australian musician who was born blind and has won various ARIA awards in 2008. We also received some comments where people discounted them from having any creative ability just because they are visually impaired.
Interviews we conducted were mainly targeting people who had some relation to a visually impaired person or who had a strong creative opinion. One interview was with an organiser of the Access Program at the NSW Art Gallery. Which gave an idea of how an exhibit for the visually impaired operated. Learning that visually impaired people enjoyed this and that this exhibition in Sydney had only been running for a year.
Also interviewed a curator, getting their opinion on our proposed exhibition which was very positive and had a strong belief that visually impaired talent should be greatly exposed in today’s society. As well as a member of a community based radio station who showed more support to our idea. We got in contact with a volunteer for the disabled surfers association, an association that aims to help liberate people living with disabilities as they enjoy themselves. Giving us an insight on some cool events that were happening for people with disabilities.
Attempting to get the perspective of a visually impaired person we interviewed Year 9 student who is blind in one eye. We learnt that she didn’t feel disadvantaged in creativity of any form. She informed us that one thing that people believe about blind people is that they live in darkness, she stated that “Blind people don’t live in darkness they may not be able to see colours and the beautiful things in this world but they see much deeper like personality which people that see can’t see.’
