06 Dec 2023
Addressing the issues of life skills and social integration for the visually impaired, Liu Xuetao, a senior student at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, led the “Here Research” team in an in-depth field investigation in Shaanxi Province. Their research stood out among 148 student teams from universities across the country, earning them the championship in the “South Reviews Researching China 2023” competition.
On 1 December, the “South Reviews Researching · Classmates Salon” and Yantu Education, in collaboration with the School of Film and TV Arts at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, held a special screening and exchange event for the 2023 Research China. The “Here Research” team presented their accessible documentary film and shared the stories behind their research.
Liu Xuetao, a fourth-year student majoring in Film Photography and Production at the School of Film and TV Arts, led the team. The team also included Gao Xiaoya, a fourth-year student in Communication Studies at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, as well as students from Renmin University of China, Communication University of China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Beijing Union University. They remarked, “University students are not only students but also members of society. Stepping out of the classroom and into reality is an attempt and a connection; returning from reality to the classroom, lab, and library brings back more questions, confusion, emotions, significance, actions, and strength.”
During the screening and exchange event, Liu Xuetao shared the team’s findings and experiences from their field research on visually impaired individuals in Shaanxi. Liu Xuetao stated, “Over the past year, we have established a profound connection with the visually impaired. Through participatory observation, we have gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges they face and their coping strategies at different stages of life. These include mastering daily life skills, using online software, planning for education and career choices, handling family relationships, and self-acceptance—factors that significantly impact their lives.”
She added, “There are currently over 17 million people with visual impairments in China, with one in every 80 people affected. Although visual impairment may make them seem special at times, they are essentially ordinary people, just like everyone else. It is undeniable that visually impaired individuals face many obstacles in their lives. Through qualitative research methods, our team hopes to use text and video to bring the real lives of the visually impaired to more people. We hope more people will hear their voices, understand their needs, and eliminate prejudices and stereotypes.”
Team member Gao Xiaoya emphasized, “We hope our efforts will contribute to the development of fair and reasonable policies, providing more targeted support for the visually impaired and other disabled individuals, and creating a more inclusive and open social environment.”
Under the guidance and support of their advisor, Wang Kais from the School of Film and TV Arts, the team’s accessible documentary Beyond the Horizon (Accessible Version) was nominated for the 2023 Research China “Best Care Research Award.” The film was screened during the event. This research not only focused on life skills and social integration issues for the visually impaired but also explored accessible methods in film production. During the screening, viewers could experience the way visually impaired individuals engage with visual media by watching with their eyes closed.
In addition to the film screening, the exchange event also invited experts including Jiang Nianjie, a documentary filmmaker and mentor for the 2023 Research China short documentary project, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Dean of the School of Film and TV Arts, Zhong Shihao, Head of Overseas Consulting at Yantu Education, and Gao Ling, Director of Media Product Operations at South Wind Window, for a salon discussion session following the screening. Furthermore, the “Blindfold Challenge” before the event allowed participants to experience the lives of the visually impaired firsthand, adding educational significance and interactivity to the event.
Since its establishment in 1985, South Reviews has played a significant role in political, economic, and social issues. Since 2005, the “Research China” project initiated by South Wind Window has attracted more than 10,000 teams from over 700 universities nationwide, having a profound impact on the social awareness and growth of university students.
（记者：李雯祯 编辑：石露芸 图片提供：南风窗）
06 Dec 2023