ChangeMaker 2023 – FFB

ChangeMaker 2023 – FFB

Category:

Social Impact

Client:

Eone

Duration:

6 months

Group photo of event attendees standing inside Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym. The group celebrate with smiles and hands in the air.
Group photo of event attendees standing inside Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym. The group celebrate with smiles and hands in the air.
Group photo of event attendees standing inside Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym. The group celebrate with smiles and hands in the air.

For World Sight Day 2023, Eone launched the ChangeMaker timepiece to kickoff partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB). Two activation events brought together community members to try their hand at climbing without sight. An experience led by world champion paraclimber, Justin Salas.

(IMPACT)

Across the two events, we collectively impacted 50+ blind and low vision individuals who had limited or no exposure to the activity - due to the misconception that climbing is for those with vision. The events were also attended by a further 50+ able bodied individuals hoping to unlearn their biases and build empathy. We were also successful in bringing key members of Github, LinkedIn, USA Climbing, and other organisations in attendance.

(VISION & INNOVATION)

Those who are blind want to be part of the wider community. Those in the wider community are unaware of the social barriers we've built around us. My vision was to break schema by bringing people out of their comfort zones in an unfamiliar environment. The experience challenged our common misconceptions of what a 'disabled' person is or is not capable of.

Four gentleman stand smiling at the camera. Behind them a pull up banner reads 'adaptive climbing group'
Four gentleman stand smiling at the camera. Behind them a pull up banner reads 'adaptive climbing group'
Four gentleman stand smiling at the camera. Behind them a pull up banner reads 'adaptive climbing group'

(CHALLENGES)

The greatest challenges faced were garnering the support and advocacy of private for-profit businesses and tangible commitment from invited attendees. Conveying the element of fun and engagement, along with the help of many community partners, allowed us to attract a diverse audience at both locations.

(PROBLEMS)

With so many moving parts to a relatively new concept, we encountered logistical problems with marketing collaterals and lack of cohesion on with the large roster of staff at the climbing gym. Justin and I handled these by arriving ahead of the actual events, educating staff and engaging with members of the public to help break the ice and build familiarity. The good will of many local businesses allowed us to quickly move around our initial issues with marketing assets.

A husband and wife communicate as the husband; blindfolded, attempts to scale the bouldering wall
A husband and wife communicate as the husband; blindfolded, attempts to scale the bouldering wall
A husband and wife communicate as the husband; blindfolded, attempts to scale the bouldering wall
Justin stands in front of a bouldering wall, explaining the concepts of climbing without sight. To his left, a volunteer wears a blindfold. A group can be seen along the edges of the photo
Justin stands in front of a bouldering wall, explaining the concepts of climbing without sight. To his left, a volunteer wears a blindfold. A group can be seen along the edges of the photo
Justin stands in front of a bouldering wall, explaining the concepts of climbing without sight. To his left, a volunteer wears a blindfold. A group can be seen along the edges of the photo