More Than a Calendar Day: Letter from 'Neighborhood of the Blind' to Safir Arjan on World White Cane Safety Day

The Neighborhood of the Blind has been active since Mordad 1390 and is run by the blind themselves.

The neighborhood of the blind has been active since August 2013 and is managed by the blind themselves.

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Mahale Nabinayan, a complex that has been run by blind people for fifteen years, has sent a letter to Ambassador Arjan on the occasion of "World White Cane Safety Day", which is very valuable to us.

23 Mehr is the International White Cane Safety Day. On such a day, some news and statistics are usually published, and the next day, the matter is left until the next year. This year, the neighborhood of the blind sent us a letter that we chose to publish instead of any other special note.

The neighborhood of the blind has been active since August 2013 and is managed by the blind themselves. The library has audio lessons, teaches how to work with computers, mobile phones, and screen readers, explains movies, series, and documentaries for the blind audience, and translates authoritative articles and podcasts from around the world. They made all these independently and on their own feet.

Our familiarity with the neighborhood began in 1402; When Mohsen Salehi, the neighborhood manager, came to Arjan's ambassador's office and told about the expectation of blind users from Iran's technology ecosystem. That interview titled "What do blind people expect from Iran's innovation ecosystem?" published in Safir Arjan and made a number of technology companies more accessible.

Beyond a day on the calendar; Narration of a friendship from the language of "Mahleh Nabinayan" for "Safir Arjan"

On the occasion of the World White Cane Safety Day and the sincere support of Ambassador Arjan's family

Every year, with the arrival of the World White Cane Safety Day, the name of the blind comes to the top of the conversation for one day; But for years, experience has shown us that a large part of this calendar attention remains in slogans, repeated clichés or a look mixed with pity, and the next day is forgotten. On this year's White Cane Safety Day, we decided to speak from another angle instead of repeating the rightful expectations that we still have from the society and management of our country; Today, we want to talk about "friendship" and respect the culture of gratitude. Appreciation to the loved ones who became our companion and friend in action and in the middle of the field, neither in slogans nor for one day.

We in the "Neighborhood of the Blind" have been standing on our feet for fifteen years, relying on the efforts and will of the blind themselves, so that instead of waiting, we build and achieve skill and individual independence. In all these years, despite all the limitations and difficulties that are always faced by such independent collections, we tried not to get involved in slogans, to solve problems with empathy and to be our best selves. Today, the "Neighborhood of the Blind" directly contributes to the quality of life and creating a "comfortable imagination" for the moments of its companions; From the student library and specialized training for working with computers and mobile phones, to explaining the best movies, series, animations and documentaries in the world; And from translating the world's most authoritative articles and podcasts for the blind and their families, to talking with artists and producing descriptive radio programs. But the truth is that no house, no matter how independent and hardworking, is left alone in this path without the presence of friends who hear and reflect its voice.

The story of our friendship with "Ambassador Arjan" began in July 1402; Where, in a meeting with his old friend and constant companion of the neighborhood, Dr. Ahmedreza Nakhjovani, he mentioned Ambassador Arjan as a media that is concerned about social responsibility and welcomes the correct and direct introduction of "Blind Neighborhood". Through him, the initial contact with Mr. Mani Ghasemi was formed and led to a sincere invitation to appear in the editorial office of Sefir Arjan.

The moment I entered Ambassador Arjan's office and that warm hospitality are still vivid in my memory after all these years. In that crowd, there was no trace of a "different look"; Rather, a space was provided in which "my thoughts are collected". This peace and mutual respect created an opportunity for me to be able to speak clearly and openly about the real concerns of blind citizens and our expectations from Iran's technology and innovation ecosystem.

That conversation soon showed us the real fruit of an effective media. After the publication of that article in Safir Arjan, the "Snapfood" collection, after studying the raised concerns, contacted us to make its application available, and the dialogue and follow-up with other collections was also opened. That day and that report was not just a media interview; It was the beginning of a friendship that proved to us that when an authentic medium listens with sincerity, locks that have been closed for years can be opened.

In August of this year and during the special program of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the neighborhood of the blind, we were honored to host dear Mani Ghasemi in our own home. When we talked about the ups and downs of Ambassador Arjan's formation and longevity, we realized more than ever how similar we are; The two groups, both formed from the same concern and belief, have tasted the hardships of remaining independent, believe in the miracle of teamwork, the good mood and empathy of their members, and most importantly, they have learned not to "give up" in the face of storms and continue their journey with strength.

Today, this empathy and companionship has entered a new and more practical season. Fortunately, even now, the main part of Sefir Arjan's website has a very good compatibility for the use of blind users and screen readers, and other parts of it will definitely be reviewed and optimized; So that with the support and companionship of Sefir Arjan Collection, the first step of accessibility will begin in a serious and exemplary way from their own website. This valuable decision is the best evidence that Ambassador Arjan starts change and accessibility from his home before any advice to the technology ecosystem.

In the days when difficulties can only be overcome by leaning on each other's shoulders, we believe that a culture of thanks and appreciation for genuine friendships should be promoted. Sometimes, a "thank you" from the heart, to the loved ones who, amidst the multitude of their work challenges, still remember the neighborhood that strives to build hope and awareness, can be a source of illumination for the continuation of the path. It is not easy to stay and continue; But we are encouraged to have comrades like you, to be understood and to be understood in all difficult times—and not just on one calendar occasion called White Cane Safety.

Hereby, we offer our most sincere thanks and gratitude to the great group of "Ambassador Arjan", respected management, editor, concerned reporters, technical team and each editorial staff and honorable family of Ambassador Arjan, who have always taken steps to recognize, accept and accompany the blind community with an open mind.

We are happy that you were with us during these years, you became friends with us, you became the voice of our demands in the Iranian technology ecosystem, and you saw and considered the neighborhood of the blind as a part of your family. We appreciate it and we always wish you the best.

On behalf of Mohsen Salehi and the people of Nabinayan neighborhood

We are grateful to Mohsen Salehi and all the residents of the blind neighborhood; Both for accompanying these three years and for the clarity of this letter.

The letter is right; Attention that is only limited to one calendar day does not change anything for blind citizens. What makes a difference is an app that works with a screen reader, a site that can be used without seeing a screen, and a service that has the blind user in mind from the start. The story of the 1402 conversation also showed that sometimes it is enough for the voice of the blind users to reach the ears of the product teams.

We must be careful about ourselves. As mentioned in the letter, the main part of the Arjan Ambassador is usable today with a screen reader, but not all parts have been checked yet. For this reason:

Mahleh Babinayan wrote in his letter that Ambassador Arjan and Mahleh have both learned not to "give up" in the face of difficulties. We are not going to follow this path either.

The neighborhood of the blind has been operating since August 1390 with the slogan "Listen, a neighborhood for everyone" and is managed by the blind themselves. Student library, computer and mobile training, explanatory films and series, translation of articles and podcasts and radio programs are among the works of this collection. To learn more, visit the website of the neighborhood of the blind or follow its Telegram and Instagram channels.

Amir Mostakin came to ambassador of Arjan in 2014 to narrate the world of technology. From 2016, he became the editor-in-chief and in 2019, he became the editor-in-chief of Safir Arjan. Since the beginning of 1402, Amir has been the CEO of Parto Media Group (Safir Arjan, Vijiato, Rosiato).