“Dialogue in the Dark” workshops take visitors to the dark, environment that is completely unfamiliar to them. A predefined set of tasks is presented and supervised during a workshop by blind and visually impaired mentors, commonly called facilitators or simply guides. Accompanying visitors throughout the event, they introduce a variety of unexpected creative and educative tasks grounded on non-visual communication and interpersonal cooperation. The guides guarantee visitor safety in the dark, alongside the emotional, psychomotor and cognitive experiences deemed to contribute to the person’s development.

Accustomed to the new environment, participants get rid of fears, they stop doubting and the initial unease is soon replaced by the sheer joy of new experiences. Their involvement in different tasks brings revelations about them themselves, about others and the very concept of otherness.

Being a part of the project empowers blind people to reach their potential. This is an opportunity for them to break social stereotypes and make societies aware of their personalities, energies and synergies, and self-esteem.

New candidates to join the team must go through a rigorous selection process. Once the candidate’s potential, positive attitude, mobility and orientation are verified, they undergo a special intensive training course. The project often means a cardinal change for the blind, a tremendous step from feeling limited to personal fulfilment in social contexts.

“Dialogue in the Dark” mentors usually have several job positions, study or are actively engaged in sports. By joining this project, they make a significant contribution to the diffusion of social inclusion and diversity practices.