Nonprofit Impact Media

Documentary-Style Project for the Jack Straw Cultural Center's Blind Youth Audio Project

"The Blind Youth Audio Project, begun in 1997 by Jack Straw Cultural Center and Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences, is an annual workshop series run in conjunction with The Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB)’s Youth Employment Solutions (YES) program. Blind and visually impaired students from across Washington state are housed at the University of Washington for 6 weeks while participating in job placement programs all around Seattle. As a component of the program, students are invited to attend a series of 8 workshops (twice weekly for four weeks) at Jack Straw’s studios." [source: Jack Straw website]

This is a visual essay from sessions with two groups. I spent four hours with one group, and two hours with the another, resulting in ~50-80 edited images per group. Here is a look at a final visual essay for each, which tells a cohesive story.

The nonprofit had parents sign photo waivers before participation in the program. I aim to be discreet in a space, and to respect human dignity while photographing, especially in spaces of sensitivity and vulnerability.