Katie and Verity went on a sensewalk around campus blindfolded to experience what it's like without sight. They found they had to rely more on hearing and the feeling of different surfaces under their feet. While initially disorienting, they became better at recognizing where they were based on characteristics of different areas. They felt helpless at first but more comfortable after adjusting. The partner leading the blindfolded person had control and responsibility to guide them safely.

1. Sensewalk
KATIE & VERITY

2. What do you notice as you walk around? Can you work out
where you are or do you quickly become disorientated?
 We noticed that other people on campus didn’t seem
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that fazed that we were walking along blindfolded
Katie felt like there was a wall in front of her as she
walked
The difference in flooring, i.e. pavement vs.
grass, was very obvious
The temperature changes, e.g. when the sun came
out, the wind picking up
Initially disorientating but once we settled into it we
were far better at knowing where we were

3. Of your remaining senses do you find yourself paying more attention to one than
the others? Are you trying to visualise your environment as you walk in the dark?
 Paying more attention to hearing and touch
sensation through our feet
 Cars and people felt a lot closer than they actually
were
 Subtle changes in terrain, e.g. slopes, that you might
normally not notice were very apparent
 Tried to visualise where you were – wasn’t as hard as
we expected as different places on campus have clear
characteristics that are obvious even without sight

4. Do you feel helpless? How do you feel about your partner as
you do this? What’s the balance of power?
 Feel helpless and completely reliant on partner
initially, but once adjusted it felt more comfortable
 Partner is in control and you have to put your faith in
them
 Felt a sense of responsibility for your blindfolded
partner, didn’t want to lead them somewhere they
might fall/trip