The mayors of Sechelt and Gibsons got a taste of what it's like to be visually-impaired this week.
Participating in a blindfold challenge, Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster and Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk experienced for a short time what those with visual impairment struggle with on a regular basis, during an exercise on June 21.
Asked to walk around the Five Corners intersection in Lower Gibsons, the mayors were outfitted with darkened glasses to impair their vision along with white walking canes to assist them in navigating a straight line. The mayors were also given the support of sight guides to walk beside them.
In addition to crossing the Five Corners, an intersection with only stop signs and no lights, the mayors were asked to walk a block and back, using their canes to feel what was around them.
Sechelt resident Bill Conway, who is blind and uses the help of his seeing eye dog, Captain Midnight, set up the event in order to provide awareness on the many challenges the visually-impaired face when crossing the street.
"Giving the opportunity to the mayors to have this experience will also give them an understanding of how we require or always insist upon having an accessible pedestrian signal," said Conway. "I'm hoping they'll have an understanding of what a person with visual impairment or a senior citizen will go through when crossing the street. This exercise isn't just for identifying blind issues, but for all issues, whether it be someone using a walker or a mother pushing a stroller."
Janyk said the experience gave him a sense of gratitude.
"My dad suffered from macular degeneration in the latter part of his life. It was really sad to see him lose his sight, so anything that we can do as local government to make the improvements that an aging generation are going to have to experience, I think we need to do it," said Janyk.
As for Inkster, he said the exercise helped him change his assumptions.
"When you're of sight, you assume what's around you. When you have visual impairments, you don't assume a lot. You take one step at a time," Inkster said.
Held every few years, Conway said he plans to continue using the blindfold challenge as a tool to highlight issues faced by the visually impaired as well as improving street and intersection safety for all citizens.
