In partnership with the non-profit organization BlackLight, which was founded by individuals with visual impairments, we joined forces to implement the “Learning Without Seeing” program across 20 schools in Heraklion region of Crete. This initiative made a lasting impact on the local community, surpassing expectations in terms of school participation and acceptance by educators and parents alike.
A Pioneering Educational Program
The program was designed by BlackLight to reduce discrimination and exclusion in schools and to foster an environment of acceptance and understanding for students with disabilities.
Through a series of multisensory experiential workshops, students:
- experience blindness through role-reversal activities
- learn how to guide individuals with visual impairments
- become familiar with specialized equipment
- participate in sensory games
- and are introduced to Braille writing
These activities cultivate empathy and deepen understanding of the daily challenges faced by people with disabilities, supporting their inclusion in school and broader society.
Experiential Action in Crete
The goal of GEK TERNA Group–BlackLight collaboration was to expand the program beyond Athens, allowing more children to access hands-on disability education. Over the span of two weeks, more than 40 workshops were delivered to 20 schools throughout Heraklion, engaging over 2,175 students. With support from GEK TERNA Group, an open experiential event was held in Heraklion, accessible to the public. It featured presentations, discussions, sensory games, and other interactive activities. This event significantly amplified the reach and positive impact of the program within the local community, strengthening inclusive attitudes among students.
On behalf of GEK TERNA Group, Ms. Danae Kalantidi, Director of CSR and Sustainable Development, stated: “It is an honor for us to collaborate with BlackLight on this outstanding initiative. Through “Learning Without Seeing” program, our aim was to support the inclusion of vulnerable social groups in Crete and to help foster a society without exclusions—where understanding and supporting people with visual impairments are regarded as fundamental values”.
From BlackLight, CEO Ms. Chrysella Lagaria remarked: “The implementation of this program in Crete paved new paths for the integration of blind children in regional schools, while familiarizing the younger generation with disability. We are deeply grateful to GEK TERNA Group for their valuable support”.
A Powerful Message of Acceptance and Inclusion
The response was moving. Students and teachers spoke enthusiastically about the unique experience and its profound impact. Many educators noted that students participated with increased interest, empathy, and sensitivity, even expressing a desire for similar activities to be repeated in the future.
The success of the “Learning Without Seeing” program confirmed that combating school exclusion of children with disabilities is not a luxury, but a necessity. When such actions are carried out with method and dedication, they can truly change perceptions and shape inclusive cultures.
