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Picture a world fading from view—a once vibrant landscape slipping into the shadows. For most, the loss of sight would feel like an insurmountable barrier, a darkness too overwhelming to navigate. But Dave Steele, a poet from Manchester, UK, has turned that very darkness into hope. Through the power of his words, he invites us into his world—not as a lament for what is lost, but as a celebration of what can still be discovered.
In 2014, Dave was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive condition that slowly steals sight. As a professional singer and sales manager the diagnosis dismantled his stability and identity. Yet, in what could have been an ending, Dave found a profound new beginning.
One pivotal evening, as he prepared to perform at a support group for the visually impaired, inspiration struck. Instead of delivering a familiar tune, he rewrote the lyrics of Ben E. King’s Stand By Me to reflect his journey with blindness. The response from the audience was electric. As his words, Dave felt a spark of purpose ignite. That moment planted the seed for a creative mission that would touch lives around the world.
From that point forward, Dave began writing poetry daily, channeling his fears, triumphs and revelations into verse. His words became a mirror for others experiencing vision loss, reflecting their struggles and hopes with uncanny clarity. Through the boundless reach of social media, his poems travelled far beyond his local community, uniting people across the globe.
One of his most celebrated works, A Cane’s Perspective, is written from the point of view of a mobility cane. It reimagines the cane not as a symbol of limitation but as an emblem of empowerment. “ . . . I’m not a sign of weakness; I’m a reason to be proud, alleviate anxiety when you are in a crowd. Sometimes I’m left behind or folded up inside your hand, But I’ll be ready for you, I won’t judge, I understand . . .” he writes, transforming a tool often associated with stigma into a sign of strength.
But his impact doesn’t stop at the written word. Collaborating with tech leaders like Meta and Apple, he has amplified his voice and brought critical attention to accessibility and inclusivity. In a standout project with Meta, his poetry took center stage in a short film narrating his journey—a powerful reminder of social media’s potential to amplify marginalized voices.
His advocacy extends further still. As the author of Austin’s Amazing Adventures, a children’s book series featuring a young visually impaired hero, Dave is shaping the narratives future generations will inherit. Designed to be accessible to all, with PenFriend compatibility and braille integration, these books weave lessons of courage and creativity into every page.
Through all of this, Dave’s journey isn’t without its hardships. He openly shares the challenges of navigating crowded spaces, the isolation that often accompanies his condition, and the mental toll of adapting to a world designed for sighted people. Yet even in his darkest moments, he finds a way to turn struggle into something luminous. “It’s about taking your darkest moments and turning them into something that can help someone else,” he explains. “You’re transforming pain into purpose.”
A devoted father, Dave’s greatest legacy may lie in the future he envisions—not just for his children but for everyone living with disability. “The world isn’t designed for people like us, but we can redesign the way the world sees us.”
TRAVEL
Dave’s approach to travel is a mix of careful preparation and leveraging technology to make trips as seamless as possible. And there are many trips!
As part of his travel routine, he relies on a combination of cutting-edge technology and apps to navigate the world more independently. He uses the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which now integrate with the Be My Eyes app, providing real-time navigation assistance and object identification. Additionally, he uses the HapticNav app for tactile navigation feedback and his OrCam MyEye device, which helps with reading text and identifying objects. These tools, along with his mobility cane, are key to making travel as seamless as possible.
He highlights how Meta’s smart glasses enhance his independence and accessibility during travel. These cutting-edge glasses allow him to capture images or live video of his surroundings and receive real-time descriptions. From identifying objects to reading signs, they provide vital information that makes navigating new environments more accessible and engaging. The glasses represent a powerful blend of technology and empowerment, enabling him to connect with the world around him in ways that feel liberating and inclusive. They’ve become an indispensable part of his travel routine.
Dave lights up as he recalls his visit to New York City. The electric energy of the city captivated his senses despite his visual impairment. But he is candid about the challenges of navigating such a bustling metropolis as someone with vision loss. He highlights the importance of accessibility and the ways technology, like Meta’s smart glasses, has helped him move confidently through its iconic streets. For Dave, New York embodies both the excitement of possibility and the need for continued progress in creating inclusive spaces.
He points to Edinburgh, Scotland, as a must-visit destination. The city’s rich history, combined with its accessible infrastructure and warm, welcoming atmosphere, makes it an ideal spot for travelers with disabilities. The tactile nature of the cobblestone streets, the resonance of bagpipe music and the vibrant storytelling culture make Edinburgh a feast for the senses, proving that a place’s magic isn’t limited to what can be seen—it’s what can be felt and experienced in its fullest.
Dave has experienced countless memorable encounters during travel, but one that stands out involved meeting a young boy in the United States who had recently been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. Sharing his poetry with the boy and his family, Dave saw firsthand the profound impact his words could have, offering hope and a sense of community in a challenging time. Moments like these, where his journey and creativity tangibly inspire others, reaffirm his purpose and highlight the power of connection forged through shared stories.
“Disability isn’t an excuse to do less, but a reason to be more,” Dave says. And through his poetry, he’s proving that the darkest moments can give rise to the brightest lights.
Website: theblindpoet.net
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YouTube: @DaveSteeleTheBlindPoet