Blind Faith

"Blind Faith" is a 30 day wearable Ramadan calendar for the blind, enabling them to 'see' the sun and moon through touch.

The sighting of the moon marks the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Fasting is based on the patterns of sunrise and sunset, and so changes each day as Ramadan progresses.

The wearable wrist calendars bridge the gap between visual traditions and those who cannot see them, capturing the most important visual cues. Ensuring that everyone can fully participate in and connect with their faith during the sacred period of Ramadan.

It’s no longer just a tool for fasting, it’s a shared ritual

The essence of Ramadan timing, centered around the visual sighting of the moon and the daily cycle of sunrise and sunset, creates a significant obstacle for visually impaired Muslims seeking to fully experience the spiritual dimensions of the holy month. This dependence on visual cues hinders their ability to independently connect with the rhythm of Ramadan and deeply engage with its spiritual practices.

The root of the inaccessibility lies in the format of the Imsakieh, the traditional Ramadan calendar. Its exclusive reliance on visual information prevents blind individuals from accessing the necessary details to observe the daily fasting periods and experience the full progression of Ramadan. This highlights a crucial need for a more inclusive and accessible approach that allows visually impaired Muslims to participate fully in the spiritual richness of the holy month.

Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, Bank al Etihad developed "Blind Faith," a tactile Ramadan calendar specifically designed for the visually impaired. Reimagining the traditional Imsakieh, Blind Faith comprises a set of 30 wearable bracelets, each representing a day of Ramadan. These bracelets feature tactile representations of the moon phases, along with Braille markings for sunrise, sunset, and fasting times. This innovative approach empowers blind individuals to independently track the progression of Ramadan and connect with its spiritual significance on a personal level. The set also includes Braille instructions for ease of use.

The Blind Faith calendar empowered visually impaired Muslims to independently track Ramadan, leading to increased independence (80%), a deeper connection with their faith, and sparked conversations about accessibility. 75% of users were able to understand the moon's appearance for the first time, and 94% expressed gratitude for the bank's inclusivity. There was unanimous demand for the calendar's continued availability.