Just a few months ago, blind and partially sighted people of South Asian heritage joined a free dance programme in Birmingham. They had never danced before. On Friday, they will perform to a live audience of over 1,000 athletes and ambassadors representing elite blind sport as part of the Blind Sport World Games Opening Ceremony at the renowned Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

The dance programme was created by inclusive dance company Step Change Studios, who teamed up with Birmingham-based Bollywood Dreams Dance to tackle stigma and promote wellbeing of blind people of South Asian heritage. Step Change Studios is an award-winning dance company that offers dance opportunities for disabled people of all ages and abilities. It provides classes in the community; tailors programmes for different settings including education, care, the arts, sport, and leisure; produces professional dance performances; and shares experience through conferences and workshops. Step Change Studios has received numerous accolades including the One Dance UK Award for Innovation, and Founder Rashmi Becker received an MBE for services to disabled people in 2021

Each week, participants have been learning Bollywood dance and developing their confidence, and creative abilities. They were both excited and nervous to hear they had the opportunity to kick off the Opening Ceremony with a performance. Meena Rattu from Wolverhampton, who is blind said: “Ever since I was a little girl, I loved Bollywood and wanted the opportunity to dance. Having sight loss, it can be difficult to follow someone but this experience has been amazing. The teacher gives clear audio description and uses touch to help us learn. I look forward to dancing every week. I am counting each day until the performance. I am so excited and cannot wait.

Hamzah Afzal from Birmingham, who has a learning disability and sight loss said of dancing: “It’s fun. It has helped my confidence, communication, and my listening skills.” Esme Khalique from London attended a sister programme with Step Change Studios in London and will also be performing. She said: “In 2008 I was involved in a trauma incident linked to domestic violence with impacted my vision. Since losing my sight I never thought this would be possible. When I dance, I am in a different moment - like a trance - it’s really beautiful.

Step Change Studios Founder Rashmi Becker MBE said: “1 in 5 people will start to live with sight loss during their lives. People of South Asian heritage are at greater risk of certain eye diseases, and low levels of physical activity can result in conditions which impact eye health such as obesity, strokes, and diabetes. People with sight loss exhibit higher levels of mental health challenges, and tend to lead isolated and sedentary lives: 40% say they are moderately or completely cut off from their local community[1].

“The aim of our work is to create a supportive, sociable environment where people with sight loss can take part in dance, make friends, develop new skills, and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. I am so proud of how far our participants have come and really excited for this fantastic opportunity to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the World Games. I know they will be amazing.”