DINE IN THE DARK 2018 – FEAST YOUR IMAGINATION

Close your eyes…keep them closed…and continue with what you were doing. Unsettling isn’t it? Now imagine that this is your reality every day. Wouldn’t you want someone to help?

Well you can be that someone to help approximately 55,000 people living with blindness or a serious vision impairment in Ireland. Now in its third year, Dine in the Dark is returning throughout the country. Make a reservation today with any of our participating restaurants. All listings are available on www.dineinthedark.ie.

Chris White, CEO NCBI; “We warmly invite restaurants and diners throughout the country to feast with your imagination, and challenge your thinking around sight loss and the people affected by it. After all, one in six of us will start to literally see things differently during our lifetime.’’

We engage all of our senses when we eat – taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch. So what happens when we eliminate one of them? While it is impossible to fully simulate blindness, participating restaurants in NCBI’s Dine in the Dark series provide guests with a unique opportunity to explore some of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss and blindness in a delicious setting. Blindfolded before their food arrives, guests will dine in the dark, relying on senses of touch, smell, hearing and taste to experience dining in a completely new and evocative way.

This sensory experience is part of NCBI’s national awareness and fundraising activities, and is supported by Novartis, Fujitsu, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and Classic Drinks.

Loretto Callaghan, CEO Novartis Ireland stated “We are delighted to sponsor the Dine in the Dark culinary celebration with many restaurants, and thousands of people across Ireland getting involved. Dine in the Dark is a unique opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of people who are vision impaired or blind. We encourage everyone to take part”.

Tony O’Malley, CEO Fujitsu Ireland added “We are extremely proud of our ongoing partnership with NCBI and are delighted to be involved in Dine in the Dark once again this year. Dine in the Dark is a truly immersive and inspirational event which we are proud to support. We encourage everyone across the country to partake in a remarkable sensory encounter this November, whilst supporting the vital work of the NCBI in helping people affected by sight loss”.

The impact made by the participating venues and their diners, means that more people are able to access support services in their local community. Some will avail of training and specialised technology or magnification. Others will gain new skills, employment and mobility. Others still will rediscover the pleasure of reading through braille publications or audio books.

At NCBI, we know that just because someone can’t see, it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have a vision for their future. Will you feast your imagination with us this year?

 

Notes to Editors

About NCBI

NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) is Ireland’s national charity working with the rising number of people affected by sight loss. Our practical and emotional advice and supports help 8,000 people and their families face their futures with confidence every year.

All participating venues receive a Dine in the Dark Toolkit, with top tips, tools and blindfolds. A full list of tasty venues is available on www.dineinthedark.ie.

 

Contact:

Sarah Williams, Corporate Engagement Manager, 01 882 1973,        [email protected]

Kevin Kelly, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, 086 781 1744    [email protected]