Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1491336
10 UCW FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2023 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations partners with Vision Resource Center for Dining & Dialogue a STAFF REPORT e Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Rela- tions Department, in partnership with the Vision Resource Center hosted a Dining & Dialogue event at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Jan. 25 to raise awareness about challenges encountered by people that are blind or visu- ally impaired as they navigate the community. With more the 110 people in attendance, the VRC emphasized the importance of the topic by having participants without visual impair- ment wear blindfolds or simulation glasses during lunch. e VRC's Executive Director Terri omas said, "As people are eating, they will get an idea of what it's like to be blind or visually impaired." omas wants more events like this to raise awareness of the challenges and support needed for people experiencing life with lim- ited to no sight to live more independently. "Hopefully, people leave differently than the way they came, wanting to advocate for people with any disability not just visual impairment," she said. "I want people to think, 'what can I do to be more inclusive.'" Dining & Dialogue is a lunch-and-learn style event where community members can learn from each other about different identities and cultures by having crucial conversations on difficult issues. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director Yamile Nazar, who leads the Human Relations Department, said raising conscious- ness of the experience of others is integral to the mission of the department and Fayette- ville-Cumberland Human Relations Commis- sion. Nazar said, "Our number one focus is heightening people's awareness around ex- periences that are not like theirs. Unless we are having the experience, we just don't know what we don't know." She continued, "So, [with] heightening awareness comes sensitivity to someone else's plight." At the tables, the dialogues were led by com- munity members who are living with visual impairments. Waleed Nuridin and Latasha Smith receive VRC services. ey told their stories which included overcoming depression and learning how to re-enter their career. Other speakers talked about the lack of chirping sidewalk crossings and audible eleva- tors, things that could help them lead more independent lives. omas presented the work of the VRC to the Human Relations Commission leading to the Dining & Dialogue on sight limitations. Semone Pemberton, chairwomen of the Human Relations Commission, is passionate about having conversations that raise aware- ness of community needs to city and county leaders. Additionally, they encourage commu- nity members to learn how to enhance inter- actions with one another. "e commission's role is to facilitate dialogue and bring people together to make impactful change," said Pemberton. e VRC's mission is to enhance the lives of adults and children living in the Cape Fear Region who are blind or visually impaired. As a part of that mission, the Dining & Dialogue was an impactful and educational experience for those not experiencing life without or with limited sight. "I hope the event urged people to think be- yond themselves because that will help make our community and the world a better place," said omas. Editor's note: ere are a number of ways to help support the Vision Resource Center through donations of time or money. For more information visit www.visionresourcecentercc. org/ or call 910-483-2719. NEWS e Dining & Dialogue event raises awareness about challenges faced by people who are blind or visually impaired. For other support opportunities, visit the Vision Resource Center website. (All photos this page courtesy of the City of Fayetteville)