A Moray charity is hosting a lunch for blindfolded guests to highlight the challenges that face disabled people every day.
North East Sensory Services (Ness) will serve up surprise meals for businesses to help them understand how to better cater their services.
Diners will not know what is on the menu and will also be kept in the dark about who they are sitting next to.
Ness’ fundraising coordinator, Neil Skene, said that discovering the flavours on the plate were not the only challenge for those with sight problems.
He said: “Eating out is something that we all get to do at some time or another and it’s a real social event for most people.
“There are a lot of things you are doing without even realising it – looking at the people you are talking to, looking around the room and appreciating the presentation of the food.
“When you blindfold someone eating it all changes – they forget to speak to the people around them because they are concentrating so hard on the food.”
During the event, which has been organised with the Moray Chamber of Commerce, businesses will be told about simple changes that can be made to make them more accessible.
A presentation will also be given from Moray Hearing Care about the challenges for those that use hearing aids.
Mr Skene added: “A lot of the things are very simple changes. For eating we encourage the food to be placed as if it was the dial of a clock so people know where there vegetables are and the meat and things like that.
“We just want people to be more aware of these things and the difference they can make.
“Apart from checking dietary requirements we aren’t going to tell people what’s for lunch – it’ll be a complete surprise for them.”
The lunch at the Laichmoray Hotel in Elgin at noon on Thursday, January 26 is open to members of the Moray Chamber of Commerce. Places can be booked by e-mailing lmackay@moraychamber.co.uk
