Project call "Visual Disability Inclusion" by the King Baudouin Foundation
It is with great emotion and gratitude that after more than 4 years of unrelenting "dedication to dance for the blind" and my lifelong commitment to dance in general, we are now receiving recognition and support from a very important Belgian institution:
#danceisblind ‘Call for projects "Visual impairment & Inclusion"’ by the King Baudouin Foundation has been selected, and VZW Etage Tropical is receiving financial support of 25,000 euros for this.
With this support, among others, we can work toward a better dance community where our motto #everyonedances can mark the beginning of a new dance reality.
We aim to change the dance landscape forever. Together, with each other, with attention and dedication, for the benefit of more inclusivity for the blind and visually impaired.
I want to thank everyone who has ever believed in me, sports services, and especially Jerry Westerlinck (Ghent) and Kristel Peeters (Brussels), Sport Vlaanderen and Ms. Lieve Callens, our sighted dancers who believe in equality in lessons for everyone, my blind dancers for their commitment and enthusiasm, the blind people who voted for me and favorably assessed their advice, my husband Rik Van Moerkerke for his absolute trust in my abilities, the entire team of Etage Tropical, the board, trainers, and Danny for logistical support. But above all, my two assisting trainers Laure Lisabeth and Manuel Delaere.
Thank you, King Baudouin Foundation; we will do everything to make this historic!
The beginning... of different sports!
Grateful for this life goal,
Michèle
Image Description
photo 1: black and white detailed photo of a dance board. The dance board is made of wood and is a rectangular board measuring 20 cm by 15 cm, on which wooden feet are attached. The feet point in a specific dance direction. By touch, one can determine how to perform the exercise.
photo 2: black and white photo of the lady holding the dance board from photo 1 in her hands.
photo 3: colored photo of Michèle with a group of dancers on applied horizontal lines. The horizontal lines are cords taped to the floor. The lines provide orientation and direction. Some dancers hold the wooden boards in their hands to figure out how to perform the figure verbally and haptically on an individual basis.
photo 4: black and white photo of a lady holding the dance board higher up in the air. You can see that she is carefully considering the steps based on the touch on the board.
