Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for opinions (self.Blind)
submitted by vorovka
Hey everyone,
An update on my previous post here. Based on the feedback we got from this community as well as other professionals working with the visually impaired, we have decided to reach out and have a chat with members of blind and visually impaired community to discuss problem areas.
For those who have not seen my previous post, I am working with a student group at the University of Sydney and we are developing a social enterprise based on assisting the visually impaired community. We have identified some key issues and are seeking insight from end users before we move forward with any concrete plan. If you or someone you know are willing to take some time to speak with us, perhaps via video or audio conferencing, please send me a DM. It should only take 10-15 minutes. Thanks.
An update on my previous post here. Based on the feedback we got from this community as well as other professionals working with the visually impaired, we have decided to reach out and have a chat with members of blind and visually impaired community to discuss problem areas.
For those who have not seen my previous post, I am working with a student group at the University of Sydney and we are developing a social enterprise based on assisting the visually impaired community. We have identified some key issues and are seeking insight from end users before we move forward with any concrete plan. If you or someone you know are willing to take some time to speak with us, perhaps via video or audio conferencing, please send me a DM. It should only take 10-15 minutes. Thanks.
SpikeTheCookie 3 points 3y ago
Hello there! It would be really helpful if you could make the details a little more concrete. What is a "social enterprise"? What type of "assistance in the community" is being offered? What type of "key issues" are you facing?
I can't figure out if you're creating Blind Twitter to Feed the Homeless or a socially conscious volunteer network to provide ipads to those who have never used ipads. LOL
But seriously, your ask could be anything, so it's hard to know if we are willing to speak to you.
Also is this a class project that will receive a grade or is this a college incubator with startup capital and funding?
I can't figure out if you're creating Blind Twitter to Feed the Homeless or a socially conscious volunteer network to provide ipads to those who have never used ipads. LOL
But seriously, your ask could be anything, so it's hard to know if we are willing to speak to you.
Also is this a class project that will receive a grade or is this a college incubator with startup capital and funding?
vorovka [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks for the feedback. That is a valid point, however based on our last set of feedback from online and from staff at organisations like Vision Australia, we decided to step back from any concrete ideas and see what is needed rather than create a service that no one would use. By social enterprise we are referring to an organisation addresses a social issue but is sustainable (i.e. it's revenue sustains its expenses rather than relying on donations). This will receive a grade but will also be judged by a suitable panel including people from the incubator, and there is definitely an option to continue to try and gain funding if our case is well received.
SpikeTheCookie 1 points 3y ago
Now I'm understanding better. Thank you!
So, you're doing **exploratory calls with members of blind and visually impaired community**, in the hopes of **identifying potential gaps** that could become the focus of a **socially-minded business** (one that is specifically focused on helping the blind and VI). This project is a graded project and judged by an incubator panel with the potential to become an actual business.
Did I get that right?
You'd like to talk with member of this subreddit, regardless of our country of origin, right?
I'm legally blind, and happy to help. :-) PM me. (I'm in the U.S.)
So, you're doing **exploratory calls with members of blind and visually impaired community**, in the hopes of **identifying potential gaps** that could become the focus of a **socially-minded business** (one that is specifically focused on helping the blind and VI). This project is a graded project and judged by an incubator panel with the potential to become an actual business.
Did I get that right?
You'd like to talk with member of this subreddit, regardless of our country of origin, right?
I'm legally blind, and happy to help. :-) PM me. (I'm in the U.S.)
vorovka [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Yep thats the plan. PM'ed.
wyongriver 3 points 3y ago
Thanks for reaching out.
The Royal Society for the Blind (South Australia) already does this in their online shop. There are lots of other places too to get things which are talked about on the private Facebook groups for low vision people and their families.
I think that it would be useful for Sydney Uni to consider what it could bring to this space that can help.
It’s also useful to consider that we are all pretty sensitive about being sold things now that the NDIS is here - that is - it feels like sometimes service providers are putting the hard sell on to hit NDIS revenue targets. So I would be careful to manage perceptions of the timing of such an exercise.
The Royal Society for the Blind (South Australia) already does this in their online shop. There are lots of other places too to get things which are talked about on the private Facebook groups for low vision people and their families.
I think that it would be useful for Sydney Uni to consider what it could bring to this space that can help.
It’s also useful to consider that we are all pretty sensitive about being sold things now that the NDIS is here - that is - it feels like sometimes service providers are putting the hard sell on to hit NDIS revenue targets. So I would be careful to manage perceptions of the timing of such an exercise.
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
The way I understand it, this is meant to be more of an aggregator than a marketplace.
vorovka [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That is an interesting point. I will bring it up with the rest of the team, might be something that no one has considered yet.
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
But this product isn't actually aiming to sell products itself, is it? Because I thought it was just aggregating all of the other marketplaces.
vorovka [OP] 2 points 3y ago
That was the old plan but based on initial feedback from a variety of sources we've decided to step back from any concrete ideas for now.
kazcar 3 points 3y ago
I would suggest you get in contact with Guide Dogs or Blind Citizens Australia to speak with someone who may be able to facilitate end user discussions.
vorovka [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks, we do already have a meeting scheduled with BCA and are planning to bring it up.
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