Lodz, Poland – “It is crucial to recognise that the challenges faced by people with disabilities are not due to their condition, but to systemic barriers in society.” – Constantina Alexandridou, Inclusion Educator

When art takes centre stage, it becomes a powerful tool for young people with visual loss or impairments to grow, connect, and express themselves.

People who are blind or have visual impairments often face exclusion not because of their sight loss, but because our societies are built around ableist assumptions. Social structures, physical environments, and cultural attitudes prioritise visual perception as the default, marginalising other ways of experiencing and interacting with the world.

A welcoming climate is necessary

“Modern art is more about generating new ways of seeing than about mimetic orders, more about offering new possibilities for painting the sky, than dictating that the sky be painted in blue to look realistic.” – Volkmar Mühleis, LUCA School of Arts

When given access to inclusive spaces, young people with visual impairments develop rich compensatory strategies that engage other senses to navigate, learn, and express themselves. These strategies help them to adapt to different environments, orient and move independently, acquire information from their surroundings, and achieve a higher level of social participation.

Our organisation has joined forces with changemakers from Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Sweden to explore how arts education can enhance inclusion and self-expression for visually impaired youth. Together, we are building a European network of educators and artists who champion multisensory learning, where sound, movement, and tactile exploration open new creative pathways.

Through inclusive training sessions, local workshops, and international exchanges, participants are discovering how art can bridge gaps between individuals, communities, and cultures.

This week, we are in Łódź, Poland, for the third transnational training, developing educational materials that demonstrate how inclusive arts education can empower young people with disabilities.

Stay updated with our actions through DEAP – Nurturing Personal Development and Empowerment of Young People with Visual Impairment through Arts Education: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571710990675