UNESCO in collaboration with Dance Union and Saksham organised a workshop on 5 and 6 December 2015 at Kathak Kendra Delhi to develop a dance curriculum for the visually impaired persons. Through this initiative we seek to provide an opportunity to the blind to experience the joy of dance, engage in fitness activity, change their perception of their own selves and possibilities open to them, as well as change perceptions of others towards them.

A group of committed and experienced individuals including dancers, movement therapists, visually impaired persons, and special educators came together in this first phase of curriculum building that includes evolving outcomes, content, methodologies, and execution. 

One of the key points that emerged is that such a curriculum cannot be developed with ‘eyes open’ – the experience of blindness is essential for all who are involved in the initiative. Thus all participants were blindfolded and walked from the building entrance to the auditorium’s green room, stage, and audience seating space. Various movement exercises with blindfolds facilitated by trained experts from CMTAI (Creative Movement Therapy Association of India) further sensitised the group on body awareness, space awareness, trust building, etc that affect a visually impaired person’s experience. 

The next phase of the project is likely to begin in February/March 2016. The curriculum would be a constantly evolving one and we aim to eventually integrate it into the learning system for the visually impaired.