KATIE & VERITY

Sensewalk

What do you notice as you walk around? Can you work out where you are or do you quickly become disorientated?

We noticed that other people on campus didn’t seem that fazed that we were walking along blindfolded

Katie felt like there was a wall in front of her as she walked

The difference in flooring, i.e. pavement vs. grass, was very obvious

The temperature changes, e.g. when the sun came out, the wind picking up

Initially disorientating but once we settled into it we were far better at knowing where we were

Of your remaining senses do you find yourself paying more attention to one than the others? Are you trying to visualise your environment as you walk in the dark?

Paying more attention to hearing and touch sensation through our feet

Cars and people felt a lot closer than they actually were

Subtle changes in terrain, e.g. slopes, that you might normally not notice were very apparent

Tried to visualise where you were – wasn’t as hard as we expected as different places on campus have clear characteristics that are obvious even without sight

Do you feel helpless? How do you feel about your partner as you do this? What’s the balance of power?

Feel helpless and completely reliant on partner initially, but once adjusted it felt more comfortable

Partner is in control and you have to put your faith in them

Felt a sense of responsibility for your blindfolded partner, didn’t want to lead them somewhere they might fall/trip