Blind designer seeks to improve usability of conservatories
A registered-blind designer has sought to improve the usability of conservatories by integrating them more within the home.
James King suffers from the degenerative eye disorder Retinitis Pigmentosa, yet runs a number of businesses. He told miltonkeynes.co.uk that he created a room that combines the flood of natural light of a conventional conservatory, with solid structural support in the form of walls and ceilings that keep heat in.
Ideally, he wants such spaces to be usable 365 days per year. For people who currently have a traditional sunroom or conservatory, a set of conservatory blinds may help them control the temperature – as well as the light – throughout the year.
The 46-year-old, who is up for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs despite only having ten per cent vision, said: "My eye condition is just a part of me, not the be all and end all.
"As a result of my disability, I know how to assemble a team of experts around me to delegate those tasks that I am not an expert at myself. I know when to work on the business and not in it."
Mr King's business success story is an inspiration to other people who have lost their sight and there are plenty more tales like it; for instance, cnn.com recently reported on a blind man who has opened series of restaurants called Dans Le Noir? including one in London. At the eatery, people dine in the dark and are served by blind waiters.