What happens when you take sight out of a special dining experience? UJ hospitality students recently challenged guests to trade their vision for a blindfold, transforming a simple meal into a powerful lesson in empathy, accessibility, and sensory awareness.
Johannesburg, South Africa (04 June 2026) – A beautiful plate of food is enough to get anyone excited before the first bite. But what if that initial look, before even digging in, was taken away?
An immersive dining experience in complete darkness
Through a unique, immersive experiential learning initiative titled Lunch in the Dark, the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), in partnership with the Disability Unit in the Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD), invited guests to do just that. By sharing a meal blindfolded, participants enjoyed dining without sight, relying instead on taste, texture, sound, and interaction to navigate the experience.
Designed to challenge perceptions, foster empathy, and deepen the understanding of inclusive hospitality, the event was held at the STH Ngeyethu Skills Restaurant.
The ultimate goal? To transform an ordinary meal into a powerful learning experience centred on accessibility, human connection, and sensory awareness.
An eye-opening experience
The lunch offered valuable insight into accessibility and customer experience design, while encouraging participants to reflect on the everyday challenges faced by persons living with visual impairments and sensory sensitivities.
For students, the event served as a live experiential learning platform that extended beyond traditional classroom teaching.
The future of inclusive hospitality
Through the planning, coordination, and facilitation of the initiative, students gained practical exposure to inclusive service delivery, sensory dining concepts, stakeholder engagement, event management, and socially conscious hospitality practices.
“This initiative reflects the School’s broader approach to preparing graduates for an evolving industry – one where emotional intelligence, adaptability, empathy, and innovation are becoming as valuable as technical expertise,” said Associate Professor Nicola Wakelin-Theron from the School of Tourism and Hospitality.
Collaborations that shift perspectives
A key strength of the initiative was the collaboration between academic, institutional, and industry-aligned stakeholders.
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Students noted that they had never previously received training of this nature, while academics described it as a pioneering initiative that should be expanded to better prepare graduates for real-world challenges.
Industry representatives described the experience as “eye-opening” and valuable, noting that it offered a meaningful glimpse into the realities faced by persons living with blindness or those on the autism spectrum when navigating everyday activities such as eating, walking, and learning.
Disability awareness activities and simulations
The event also featured interactive disability-awareness simulations and reflective discussions that encouraged deeper conversations around inclusivity and social responsibility.
PsyCaD showcased a range of assistive technologies currently used by students with visual impairments on campus, further enriching the educational experience.
Beyond its educational value, Lunch in the Dark carried a strong social impact component, with proceeds from ticket sales contributing towards the School’s fundraising efforts to support students who fall within the “missing middle” (those who do not qualify for traditional financial aid support structures).
With limited seating, the event created an intimate yet impactful environment that blended experiential learning, social consciousness, and innovation in hospitality education.
Sources: University of Johannesburg
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