Hearsee Mobility (St. George) announces Utah’s first-ever low-light dining experience, the Blackout Banquet, on October 17, 2024, at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper.
St. George-based tech nonprofit Hearsee Mobility is set to host Utah’s first-ever low-light dining experience, the Blackout Banquet, on October 17, 2024. Unlike the dark dining experiences that have become popular in cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York, the Blackout Banquet is more than just a culinary adventure—it's a mission to educate and support Utah’s Blind and Low Vision community.
Utah is home to an estimated 60,000 legally blind individuals, a number five times higher than those diagnosed with any form of cancer annually. Despite their numbers, many in this community remain unseen, not because they’re invisible, but because they often stay home, hindered by the challenges of navigating a world not built for them. The stigma associated with using walking canes in public and the fear of isolation or prejudice further contribute to this hidden reality.
Hearsee Mobility, headquartered in St. George, has made it their mission to change this narrative. The organization has developed innovative tools such as a smart walking cane and a descriptive indoor navigation system, designed to empower the blind to explore their communities with confidence and participate fully in society.
The Blackout Banquet will give attendees a glimpse into the everyday experiences of blind individuals, showcase their revolutionary accessibility tools, and raise funds to produce the first round of smart walking canes. These canes, paired with Hearsee’s navigation systems, are already generating excitement within the Blind community.
“The walking canes are so cool. People really need to learn about this. I can't wait to use one,” said Michael Montague, who lost his sight five years ago during a prison accident. Montague was released from the recently-relocated state prison last February, after serving 10 years on a drug-related charge. Five years into his sentence while working in the sign making workroom he was exposed to toxic chemicals as a result of a fire. He woke up the following day completely blind. He was provided no training or physical allowances to accommodate his blindness. A few months before his release he was given a child-size walking cane. He is now finally taking lessons from another blind mentor on how to survive "in the wild." Montague’s enthusiasm reflects a broader anticipation for technology that could significantly enhance the independence of blind individuals in Utah and beyond.
With support from title sponsor the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, the event will be held at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper, where guests will enjoy a three-course plated meal in the atmospheric shark tank ballroom. The evening’s spooky Halloween theme, in honor of Blindness Awareness Month, will be accented with plenty of black details, symbolizing the official color of blindness awareness. A luxury auction and private access to the aquarium after visiting hours will round out the evening, offering a blend of education, entertainment, and
philanthropy.
The Blackout Banquet is a unique opportunity for the sighted community to step into the world of blindness, even if just for an evening. As guests navigate their way through the darkened dining room, they’ll be encouraged to reflect on the realities, limitations, and joys of life with low vision—a life that, with the right tools and understanding, can be lived fully and independently.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly toward funding Hearsee Mobility’s mission. Click here to purchase tickets ($40).
For those who cannot attend but still wish to contribute, donations are being accepted through the organization’s website.
