Page 84 - July-August 2020

#ICANEYECAN

STEERS SOCIAL CHANGE

ON BLINDNESS

venture that aims to change the way
the world sees them and break the
stigmas attached to the condition.
aking the most of the connected issues and challenges. The Ms Rajgandhi feels that the
options available today via campaign that aims to demystify need of the hour is to bring about
M new platforms such as social blindness and break down the changes in public attitudes. By
media websites and applications barriers to inclusion, discomfort, lending a sympathetic ear, sharing
draws attention to a particular pity, fear and stigma, was launched so far unheard compelling stories
subject. On Twitter via a hashtag is on 22 July 2020. The goal of and initiating social dialogue, the
a great way to go to help identify #IcanEyecan is to make the blind campaign aims to draw attention to
messages on the specific topic. In community more visible and dispel the emotional and physical obstacles
a novel initiative, a new hashtag the myths that prevent the sighted that lead to marginalization and/
#IcanEyecan has been launched that world from interacting comfortably or exclusion of the visually impaired
seeks to increase awareness about with blind individuals. population. This new campaign
blindness. It is perhaps the first of its This ambitious initiative is the for social change seeks to educate
kind, and a very welcome addition to brainchild of Yogita Rajgandhi, a and inspire the sighted population
the many initiatives and efforts that noted senior optometrist who has to open its eyes to the vast social,
are underway worldwide to tackle spent many years in the field. She has professional and academic
this problem. extensive experience of interacting capabilities of the blind – to see blind
Very little thought is given to professionally at all levels of society, people for who they really are, and
create a kinder, more inclusive and
the fact that people with visual clinical as well as academic, including inspiring world around them.
impairment face a lot of challenges at the grassroots level with the visual
when navigating a world that impaired community – the blind, #IcanEyecan is also a platform
isn't designed with them in mind. visually impaired or deafblind. This for connecting and supporting
Aside from ocular and physical has given her the opportunity to those within the visually impaired
barriers, people with disabilities also go beyond knowing not only the community, and encouraging
encounter stigma and bias from a physical challenges that these groups them to showcase their talents
largely unaccepting society. of people face, but also through her and strengths. Anyone in the
first-hand experiences, personal optometry fraternity can also share
The hashtag #IcanEyecan is a empathy and keen interest, in inspiring positive stories that would
campaign for social change centred adopting a holistic approach when be of interest to all, in a spirit of
on blindness, visual impairment and looking for solutions, to launch a community.

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