Helping businesses serve the blind

"We often find ourselves entering a store and waiting awkwardly at the entrance for an extended period because no one approaches or addresses us to explain, for instance, that they will serve us shortly. As individuals with visual impairments, we face challenges in perceiving our place in line or finding an alternative spot to stand without causing inconvenience to other customers," Chrysella Lagaria, co-founder, CEO and trainer at the Black Light social cooperative enterprise, says, describing a typical instance of mishandling customers with visual impairments.

To address and eliminate such misunderstandings, Black Light has developed and implemented the program "Accessible Neighborhoods, Active Consumers - Businesses Trained in Inclusive Service," with the support of SynAthina, a City of Athens platform that facilitates citizen groups aiming to enhance the city's quality...