“If I could see, telling day from night would come with ease. If I could see, perhaps my life would be a different story.” These lyrics from a Chinese song employ the simplest language to capture the frustrations experienced by individuals with visual impairments, as well as sentiments that non-visually impaired people may find hard to resonate with at first.

The “Differently Together” exhibition, currently on display at the Link Sustainability Lab in Lok Fu Place, features inclusive docent tours led by visually impaired instructors as well as a short video created by the YouTuber Bread. They guide members of the public through the daily lives of visually impaired individuals, demonstrating how they can practice inclusion and “see” the world with the heart.

Creating videos for the Link Sustainability Lab to teach how to guide the visually impaired

Bread, a jovial and sociable YouTuber, exudes positivity despite his sight loss. Arriving for the interview alone, he beams, “I am typically upbeat and seldom dwell on negativity. I love cracking jokes.” Without skipping a beat, he effortlessly showcases his wit, quipping, “Some people say that blind folks should buy Mark Six for better odds of winning. While some people with visual loss might find it offensive, not me. It’s an old misconception. Blind or sighted, we’re all ordinary people. Our chances of winning the lottery should be the same, right?”

For the past five years, Bread has intermittently shared videos on YouTube, amassing a following of devoted “Bread fans”. He explains that his content falls into two categories: “First, I guide visually impaired individuals in utilising communication tech, like smartphones, to tackle everyday challenges. Second, I aim to enlighten and educate the public about the visually impaired in a light-hearted manner. My goal? To bridge the dichotomy between the able-bodied and the disabled, breaking down barriers along the way.”

Bread’s collaborative video with Link focuses on providing practical skills that average-sighted individuals can use to assist the visually impaired in everyday situations.

“In the past, some people with vision impairment were afraid to leave their homes for fear of inconvenience. But in recent years, the public’s awareness of the visually impaired has grown exponentially. In addition to a significant increase in accessibility facilities, people on the street actively approach us and ask if we need assistance. We appreciate the kindness shown, but it is important to recognise that there are specific techniques for helping the visually impaired. For instance, when guiding someone with vision loss, it’s essential to remember the three don’ts: don’t push from behind, don’t tug on the white cane (the guide stick) and don’t pinch their arm. Instead, the guide should take a half-step ahead and offer their elbow for the person with vision loss to hold onto. If you can ask about the appropriate walking speed, that would be even better. Regarding other techniques, such as communicating directions and navigating obstacles, you can discover them by watching my video at the Sustainability Lab!”

Inclusive docent tours ed by visually impaired instructors

Besides Bread’s video, the Link Sustainability Lab recently organised a series of inclusive docent tours led by Carol Tsang, an instructor with visual impairment. These tours aimed to guide visitors through the exhibition’s diverse content, educating them on topics such as racial inclusion and personal emotional management.

Pete Cheng, the project manager of Beyond Vision International, the NGO coordinating the docent tours, emphasises that the loss of sight does not equate to diminished abilities in visually impaired individuals. “Take this event as an example. Carol’s loss of sight has not prevented her from telling a good story or communicating effectively. With the right tools, visually impaired people can also lead us to learn and experience.”

A rare opportunity to learn about the daily life of the visually impaired

Vicky Shiu and her friend Kelly Yiu decided to participate in the docent tour after seeing its advertisement. Vicky expressed her desire to gain insight into the challenges faced by people with vision loss and to learn how to practice inclusion: “We had the opportunity to touch tactile graphics and immerse in the world of the visually impaired. It was a very special experience. My takeaway is that we must first cultivate awareness and a compassionate heart to achieve inclusivity.”

Sharing her thoughts following the event, Kelly says, “I really admire Carol, the instructor. Her explanation helped me gain a deeper understanding about the lives of the visually impaired. If our society is to progress, inclusion and care are essential.”