Organizing a cause rally
Cars slowly accelerate and cross the start line at the Hotel Savera parking lot with a waving of the green flag and a yell of “3, 2, 1…go!”, ready to traverse the city’s winding roads and avenues. The 33rd edition of “Thryve Digital Brailles on Wheels,” which kicked out on Sunday, seeks to promote inclusion in society and increase awareness about disability by bringing together the visually impaired populations and the sighted.
The typically sluggish and sleepy weekend turned into a bustling automobile parade with applause and people dancing to music from recent Tamil big movies, and the enthusiasm is evident in the air. The main guest, actor Prashanth, increased the excitement. The National Association for the Blind (NAB), the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), and Thryve Digital Health LLP organized the event, which attracted over 120 enthusiastic participants. Each automobile featured a visually challenged navigator leading their team through the journey, fostering empathy and garnering solidarity.
Promoting inclusivity
According to C Pakkainathan, a visually challenged participant attending the rally for the third time, navigators will use a Braille map to help participants navigate the route, marking their lefts and rights. “It is a cheerful and soothing activity that is more enjoyable for a visually impaired individual than remaining at home or going to work. The 67-year-old continues, “They do these events in the city’s capital, but more of them should be held around the state.
Tenth-time attendee Kumar, a sighted driver, said the purpose of the event is to inspire others with vision impairments. The fact that they are guiding and pointing the path for us is what makes it intriguing and enjoyable. People with disabilities will employ Braille navigation equipment; regardless of size, the driver must pay attention to the navigator. In modern society, advancing the community ought to be our goal. As per Kumar, the revenues and cash would be directed towards the visually handicapped population.
Through their eyes
Balasubramanian Sankaranarayanan, the CEO and president of Thryve, states that “the biggest theme is to see the world differently and make a difference.” The largest obstacle to the mainstream integration of visually impaired persons is not knowledge per such, but rather the fact that many of them are denied opportunities to become independent. The purpose of this rally is to raise awareness of the many ways in which people with vision impairments may assist the sighted. The driver, the crew, and the handicapped person will develop a strong relationship as a result, he continues.
“Once we have a close connection, we can’t help but go from sympathizing with the visually impaired individual to what is necessary—empathy. That will benefit them in terms of prospects, including the development of jobs and social participation, the CEO claims.
The National Association for the Blind’s immediate past president, Nina Reddy, praised the march for being a celebration of inclusion and teamwork in a news statement that was shared with CE after the event. She emphasized the rally’s contribution to raising global awareness of the issues of the visually impaired and reiterated our shared obligation to assist marginalized people.
