Vision in the Dark – BPA Ahmedabad

Share

Vision in the Dark isn’t just an experience, it’s an immersive space where sighted people are guided through everyday locations – markets, temples, cafes and other places, in total darkness. Every step requires trust, every sound becomes a signal and every moment is a discovery. Vision in the Dark is about perspective, and the quiet power of other senses. So, when in Ahmedabad, do visit the Blind People’s Association to experience Vision in the Dark for yourself!

What if the most eye-opening journey you take… is in total darkness? Step into Vision in the Dark, a museum experience with no lights, no visuals—just complete blackness. In this world, sight steps aside and every other sense comes alive.
Guided by blind facilitators, sighted visitors are led through spaces like a temple, a garden, a jungle, even a restaurant, where what you hear, smell, touch, and feel becomes your guide.
This film invites you to rethink blindness, perception, and the ways we truly experience the world.
*
What is the life of a blind person like?
To help people understand that, we have the concept called “Vision in the Dark”.
People know it by different names.
Some call it “Dialogue in the Dark”
Some call it “See in the Dark”
And others call it “Vision in the Dark”
This experience is designed to help people understand what life is like for someone who is completely blind.
Here, we not only explain what blindness is, but we also help sighted visitors realise the value of their other senses.
You may be taking your eyes for granted and not taking care of them, that’s also something we also try to convey here.
“Vision in the Dark” includes a variety of activities.
There are experiences visiting a temple or a garden, which people usually visit as part of their daily routine.
Then there are restaurants and theatres, which people might go to once a month or once every 15 days.
Places like villages, caves, and forests are usually visited only once or twice a year for picnics.
And for general knowledge-related experiences, we talk about great people and freedom fighters.
So, from the first day of the year to the last, the full range of experiences is available here.
Visitors can stay inside anywhere from 15 – 20 minutes to up to four hours.
The ticket is ₹50 per person.
For students of classes 1 to 12, the ticket is ₹10.
This project was started by Dr. Bhushan Punani and the architect behind it is Paola Manzo, who is from Italy.
It was launched on the 3rd of October, 2014.
The aim of Vision in the Dark is to let people experience complete blindness, to encourage them to support blind individuals, and to make them understand the power of their other senses.
How to care for and value your eyes – that, too, is something people get to learn when they come here.
Let’s say an architect has visited, then I talk about the design aspect.
If doctors come, I will discuss the psychology of blind people.
Depending on the visitor’s purpose, I guide them through this experience.
When they arrive, the first thing we ask them to do is read the rules.
After reading the rules, we show them the layout of the space.
And after showing them the layout, the first thing we tell them is that “Vision in the Dark” is not a haunted house or a scary place, it’s not something that will harm your mind or your body in any way.
Then we inform you about the safety measures in place.
We inform the visitors that a night vision camera is installed, and a live telecast is displayed outside.
We also let them know that the AC is running, and we address the fears and concerns by explaining beforehand that if you feel a slight sense of suffocation at first, that will last for only a minute or two.
Soon, you will start to feel comfortable.
If anyone still feels uncomfortable, they can let me know and I’ll bring them outside.
Then we explain the rules.
No light or glass items are allowed inside.
So you must leave behind these four things – your mobile phone, glasses, watch, and Bluetooth device, before entering.

Resources

What are you looking for?

Send this to a friend