Dining in dark to share the plight of visually impaired in Oman

Energy Monday 26/September/2016 22:28 PM
By: Times News Service
Dining in dark to share the plight of visually impaired in Oman

Muscat: Imagine walking into a pitch black room packed with people and chairs. Now imagine having dinner there.
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is offering a special dining experience so that people can experience a rare glimpse into the daily life of a blind person.
Without a shred of a light, the “eye-opening” experience will test one’s senses other than sight and most importantly, one’s patience.
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As soon as diners enter the dark eatery, they must rest their hands on the shoulder of a visually impaired waiter, who will guide them to their table.
Customers will be asked to keep their phones and watches in a separate locker available near the entrance.
“Any source of light should be kept away so that people can actually feel exactly how a blind person does every day,” Muadh Al Raqqadi, an official from the College of Arts and Social Sciences told the Times of Oman.
“The menu consists of pasta, donuts, grills and sweets,” Al Raqqadi said. While diners will be served and assisted by visually impaired staff, they will be left alone to find and use the plastic utensils.
The eatery will be open from September 25 to September 27 and the meals will be provided by the Italian Barista Cafe.
Amir Al Hadid, a visually impaired student at SQU, said 500 coupons, each costing OMR1, are almost sold out for Tuesday night, which will be open to female guests only.
The eatery can host 44 people at a time and is open from 7pm to 9pm, according to Al Raqqadi.
“The profit from the eatery will go to the SQU’s Vision Creativity Group,” Al Raqqadi explained.
He added that the initiative is being organised for the second time in the university and that the Italian Barista Café will do the same on October 15 to mark the “White Cane Safety Day.”