A NEW film has been made exploring the lives of Dorset women with visual impairment.

Inspired by the life of campaigner Helen Keller, the film by artist Tam Gilbert explores the lives of two visually impaired women in the late 1800s and compares them with people’s experiences today.

The film, Sensing Helen, will be shown at the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester this Friday, May 11.

Made in partnership with the history centre, it is presented by Tam Gilbert and actor Michele O’Brien and was filmed and edited by Dorchester-based Alastair Nisbet.

The overall project was managed by The Arts Development company and funded by The Heritage Lottery.

Producer Jenny Gordon said: “We follow the lives of two blind girls – Sophia and Elizabeth – one born in the 1840s in Sturminster Newton and the other ten years later in Weymouth. We were shocked at the language used by those looking after them and the way poor and disabled people were treated, but with luck and support, albeit very strict, one of our women was able to live, work and prosper, despite being blind since birth.”

The team worked with young people at Victoria Education Centre in Poole, a home education group, and Dorset Blind Association members sharing their research, collecting oral histories and discussing how to improve communication for disabled people.

Director Tam Gilbert said: “I wanted Sensing Helen to be fully accessible to disabled people. All too often, mainstream viewing does not cater for a visually impaired/deaf audience; access is put on afterwards and is seen as secondary.

"I wanted to showcase best practice, and allow sighted and hearing viewers to realise that audio description and the 300 subtitles used, can enrich both the art, and their enjoyment."

Hannah Baker, project manager at The Arts Development Company, said the arts are a powerful tool to explore, generate meaning and promote messages about inclusion and seeing things differently: “Hearing the real historical and contemporary stories of women with visual impairment has been both moving and illuminating."

Sensing Helen will be screened at Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester at 4pm and will be followed by Q&A and an opportunity to look at research. To book a free ticket contact Jenny on 0775152500 or email jenny@yummyjam.co.uk.

The building has disabled access. The event is subtitled and audio-described