Town Hall Bell Tower of Ettlinger Gets Explored: "Blindness Does Not Diminish Our Abilities"
In the picturesque Black Forest region of Germany, the Black Forest Association Pfalz - Weitsicht is gearing up for an exciting event – the Blind Hiking Week on the Dobel, scheduled from October 18th to 25th. This week-long adventure is designed to be inclusive, providing an opportunity for visually impaired individuals to explore the beauty of nature with the help of sighted tandem guides.
The concept of hiking tandems is simple yet profound. A sighted pilot leads and pedals a tandem bicycle, while the visually impaired person (the stoker) rides in the rear, allowing them to experience outdoor cycling safely and inclusively. The pilot provides the necessary visual guidance and controls steering, braking, and gear changes, while the stoker contributes pedaling power and enjoys the ride.
This setup is a practical example of disability inclusion, broadening access while fostering mutual respect and shared enjoyment between sighted and visually impaired individuals. The benefits are mutual, with visually impaired individuals gaining independence, physical exercise, and social interaction, and sighted pilots gaining a rewarding experience, enhanced understanding, and empathy.
Ralf Augspurger, a blind individual familiar with the Ettlingen town hall's bell tower and its keeper, Willi Kleinfeld, is one such individual who has experienced the benefits of hiking tandems. He describes his ability to perceive the size of spaces through hearing, making outdoor adventures like the Blind Hiking Week on the Dobel all the more significant.
The Black Forest Association Pfalz - Weitsicht, known for its focus on inclusion, has organized similar outings for the visually impaired or blind before. Ellen Kitter and her fellow campaigners from the association recently organized a tour to Ettlingen, and they are now launching a crowdfunding project called "Through nature with a white cane". The project, running today, aims to raise a few thousand euros to support the Blind Hiking Week on the Dobel and other inclusive outdoor activities.
For more information and about the crowdfunding campaign, visit the "Weitsicht" homepage at www.swv-pfalz-weitsicht.de. The group, which includes people with severe visual impairments, encourages everyone to join in this collaborative outdoor adventure and experience the benefits it offers.
As the metallic sound of the Ettlingen town hall's bell tower echoes in the distance, the anticipation for the Blind Hiking Week on the Dobel grows. With the opportunity to participate in a hiking tandem, this week promises to be an inclusive, collaborative outdoor adventure that provides physical, social, and emotional benefits for both parties.
- The 'Through nature with a white cane' crowdfunding project, initiated by Ellen Kitter and her fellow campaigners from the Black Forest Association Pfalz - Weitsicht, aims to support 'inclusive outdoor activities' like the upcoming 'Blind Hiking Week on the Dobel'.
- The 'Blind Hiking Week on the Dobel' offers not only a unique 'travel' opportunity for visually impaired individuals to explore nature but also promotes 'mental-health' and 'lifestyle' benefits through mutual respect, shared enjoyment, and physical exercise.
- This inclusive event underscores the association's commitment to promoting 'health-and-wellness' and 'education' by breaking down barriers and fostering engagement in 'science' and 'lifestyle' activities for all individuals.
