Ophélie Chauvin

© Ophélie Chauvin

Montreal (Canada), December 10th 2023, at Marc-Andre’s place. Marc-André showed me a Braille book for children. With the digital shift, Braille is on the decline, replaced by adapted audio software. © Ophélie Chauvin

In the streets of Montreal (Canada), December 10th 2023. Marc-André has the daily support of Hao Yu (26 years old). She is his neighbor, friend, and guide. For Marc-André, it is essential to have a relationship of trust with his guide. © Ophélie Chauvin

In the campus of University of Montreal, (Canada), November 27th 2023. Marie (23 years old) has been blind since birth. Originally from Mascouche, she moved to Montreal alone at the age of 20 for her studies. "It was the beginning of many responsibilities, especially when you are disabled," she says. Studying Political Science at the University of Montreal, she aspires to work in diplomacy. In the face of her disability, Marie is constantly seeking autonomy and freedom. She prefers to travel by public transport or Uber, although she is entitled to adapted transport services. Marie has experienced horse riding, dancing, swimming, piano playing, and even handicrafts. She truly feels "disabled" when society imposes accessibility limits. Marie has often wondered what it must be like to see. "If one day I meet God, I will ask him," she jokes © Ophélie Chauvin

In the campus of University of Montreal, (Canada), November 27th 2023. For the past two years, Marie has been able to count on the support of Djenga, her guide dog. To obtain him, she spent six months at a specialized school in the USA, where she felt less 'infantilized' than in Canada. With Djenga, in contrast to the white cane, she feels much more autonomous, free, and safe. She also notices that people are more willing to come talk to her and socialize. © Ophélie Chauvin

At Marie's place, on the campus of the University of Montreal (Canada), November 27th, 2023. To study and navigate on her computer, Marie uses an electronic Braille display directly connected to her computer. © Ophélie Chauvin

Radisson subway station, Montreal (Canada), November 25th 2023, at a raining session to learn how to guide blind persons. In Quebec, there are nearly 100,000 visually impaired individuals, with the vast majority living below the poverty line. Organizations like the Quebec Foundation for the Blind work to alleviate the poverty and isolation experienced by blind individuals, as well as to enhance social and community integration. Each year, the Foundation expands the boundaries of accessibility by offering a wide range of sporting and recreational activities, including tandem cycling, music and cooking lessons, and hang-gliding, among others. While over 80% of the information we receive is visual, these activities are crucial in aiding the development of social and cognitive skills, particularly in younger children. © Ophélie Chauvin

Radisson subway station, Montreal (Canada), November 25th 2023. Annette et Alexandra, are future ski instructors for blind individuals. They are attending a training session (provided by the Quebec Foundation for the Blind ) to learn how to guide them. In pairs, one of the participant put into practice the guiding techniques, while the other experiences “the world of“ the visual-impaired. © Ophélie Chauvin

In the street, near the Quebec Foundation for the Blind, Montreal (Canada), November 25th 2023. Eva and Leaticia are ski instructors for the blind. They are showing me how they guide them on the ski slopes. © Ophélie Chauvin

At goalball training, Montreal (Canada), December 1st 2023. Braxton attends his goalball training provided by the Quebec Association of Blind Sports. He focuses on listening to the ball. Goalball is a Paralympic sport created after World War II to aid visually impaired soldiers in their rehabilitation. © Ophélie Chauvin

At goalball training, Montreal (Canada), December 1st 2023. Two teams of 3 players compete to score a goal against the opposing team. Players find their bearings using a sound-emitting ball and vibrations on the court. They wear opaque masks so that all athletes, whether visually impaired or totally blind, play under equal conditions. This also allows visually sighted individuals to participate in the practice. © Ophélie Chauvin

At fencing training for blind, Montreal (Canada), December 2nd 2023. Gabriel (8 years old) has been blind since birth. He attends youth fencing training for the blind provided by the Quebec Association of Blind Sports. The coach takes the time to introduce him to the equipment before moving on to practice. © Ophélie Chauvin

At fencing training for blind, Montreal (Canada), December 2nd 2023. Gabriel (8 years old) has been blind since birth. He attends youth fencing training for the blind provided by the Quebec Association of Blind Sports. The coach takes the time to introduce him to the equipment before moving on to practice. © Ophélie Chauvin

At a Christmas party, Montreal (Canada) December 3rd 2023. Noémie, 6 years old, has been blind since birth. She is attending the Christmas Party organized by the Quebec Foundation for the Blind. She is dancing with Florence while they wait for « Santa to arrive ». Noémie is affected by Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). She wears glasses to protect her eyes because she has no muscle reflex in her eyelids. © Ophélie Chauvin