"Many people have become much more open"

Weißer Stock e.V.

Exactly 20 years ago, members of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired founded the Weißer Stock association. The employees advise visually impaired and blind people in the Rosenhof. The association also organises projects. René Ludwig (46) has been blind since birth and has been chairman of the "Weißer Stock" association for nine years. In the Macher der Woche interview, he explains what blind people want from the world around them.

How safe is it for a visually impaired person to get around Chemnitz?
René Ludwig: On the whole, quite well. There are guidance systems for the blind in several places, for example at the central bus stop and at the main railway station. As the White Cane and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we were also involved in the committees. But there are still things that could be improved.

For example?
The traffic lights are an ongoing issue. On the one hand, there is the back and forth with residents who think the traffic lights are too loud. On the other hand, we need the so-called locator signal to find the traffic lights. When it turns green, it beeps. The fact that most traffic lights are switched off at 9 pm is also difficult for us, as blind and visually impaired people still need to cross a road safely late at night.

Is it true that these electric scooters pose a danger to blind people?
If they are parked properly, it's not a problem. At most, I might bump into them with my shoulder. But if they are parked or lying in the middle of the pavement, then I trip over them. However, cars are more difficult when they are parked on corners, like on the Kaßberg. If I go round them, I end up walking diagonally across the junction.

What is the White Cane's job?
Our core task is to be a contact point for blind and visually impaired people in Chemnitz. We mainly run the social counselling centre. We have around 1,400 contacts a year, of which around 600 come directly to Rosenhof 4. Then there are our projects.

At the counselling centre in Rosenhof 4, those affected not only receive help with filling out applications. Visitors can also try out aids such as badges for the blind and talking clinical thermometers, and special devices are available to make everyday life easier. For example, a reading device that takes a photo of any document and then reads it out using a synthesised voice output.

How exactly can you help a blind or visually impaired person?
Talk to them! Don't just grab them by the shoulder from behind and push them. If you want to offer help, it's always important that you speak, that you communicate and say: "Can I help you?" And that you don't get angry when the blind person says: "Nah, I'm doing fine."

To promote greater understanding, the association opened the "Sinnreich" centre at Rosenhof 14 in March 2020. What's it all about?
These are adventure rooms in the dark. School groups or teams from medical practices, for example, who have a lot to do with visually impaired and blind people, can book appointments there. They then experience various everyday situations with a guide who is blind or visually impaired themselves. In future, we want to talk more about this afterwards to prevent misunderstandings.

What misunderstandings?
That you don't think it feels the same for us blind people. When you walk into a completely darkened room, you feel completely lost. I don't feel that helpless, of course. For me, this is everyday life. That's important to know. We are planning to expand the whole thing anyway. From next year, we also want to offer events in the former creative café "All in" in the same building, such as a reading or an audio film.

The school project "Seeing differently - being different" takes a similar approach.
That's right, our volunteers go into schools for a lesson. The aim is to create an understanding for blind people. We also give the children the opportunity to try out aids. It's always great fun when they hold the colour recognition device up to their T-shirts and the colour is announced. That's an important project. In this respect, the 'doer of the week' is not quite right, because both of our organisations are made up of doers. Employees and volunteers often invest more time than I do as Chairman.

Do you have a job?
Of course I am. I work as a computer geek for a company that makes reading devices for the blind. I also give training courses and work in the field.

How do you get there?
By bus or train or the workplace assistant drives me. If you work, you get paid for a few hours a week by the integration office.

Why don't you have a guide dog?
I like dogs, but I'm not someone who likes the responsibility. I can put my long cane in the corner. You have to take the dog out regularly and you can't take it everywhere with you.

Another pillar of the organisation is the "Führ mich" companion assistance service. What is behind it?
We currently have 14 companions who volunteer to accompany blind and visually impaired people - on walks, to the theatre or opera or to the doctor. We are always looking for new volunteers. You simply have to be open and communicative to do this voluntary work, and have a bit of time on your hands. Both sides benefit from the shared conversations. It broadens your horizons.

If you are interested in working as a companion, please contact the "Weißer Stock" association's advice centre (fuehrmich@weisserstock. org). This does not have to mean being available all the time. Those who work, for example, are only asked for appointments in the afternoons or at weekends.

What does inclusion mean to you?
For example, that everyone accepts the abilities of others. Inclusion should not only be discussed in the school context, but for all areas of society. It's about making buildings and public spaces usable for everyone, for example. If there are no steps, this not only helps wheelchair users, but also mums and dads with pushchairs. If the direction of the incoming bus is announced, senior citizens also benefit.

What do blind and visually impaired people want from society?
It is important to be open towards other people. You shouldn't think so much about what the blind person can or can't do, but simply ask them.

Do you have the feeling that progress is being made?
Yes. 20 years ago, if a child pointed out a blind person to their father in the street, all you would hear was "Shhh". Now he is told that we can find obstacles with our long cane. Many people have become much more open-minded.