Image Description: [Karan Nagrani Posing Playfully With His Folded White Cane, Shaped Into a Square to Frame His Face Against a Brick Wall Backdrop]

At Braille Tactile Signs Aust., we know that designing for accessibility isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes, it's about genuinely understanding the lived experience of those who rely on inclusive design every day. That’s why we believe conversations like this one with Karan Nagrani are so important. They give our clients a chance to hear directly from the blind and low vision community, deepening their understanding of why thoughtful, inclusive environments matter so much.

Few voices capture this better than Karan Nagrani, a powerful advocate, speaker, and content creator living with Usher Syndrome, a rare condition that causes both blindness and hearing loss.

You might know him as @karrannnagrani or ‘that blind guy’ the witty, charismatic Australian who is shifting narratives around blindness one post at a time. With only 3 degrees of central vision and the support of hearing aids, Karan lives life fully and fiercely. His words are raw, real and always delivered with a sense of humour and a stylish flair.

 

Image Description: [Karan Nagrani Speaking on Stage at The Leadership Institute, Holding a Microphone and White Cane Against a Vibrant, Colourful Backdrop]

 

From his reflections on accessibility ‘Accessibility starts with YOU’ to his hilarious club mix-up story, where he unknowingly flirted with a ‘very handsome lesbian’, Karan invites us into his world with honesty, empathy and unapologetic authenticity. His favourite tech tools? Zoomed text, reversed colours and high-contrast settings. Simple accessibility features that make a world of difference for content creators like him.

As MC at Link Vision's 2024 Blind Australian of the Year Awards, Karan brought the house down with humour, heart and community spirit. For him, it was a rare and moving experience to be surrounded by other blind individuals in a space that felt, finally, like home.

His parting message? "Blind people are just as human, intelligent, funny, worldly and sexy as anyone else. Get to know us. We will surprise you."

We are so proud to spotlight Karan in the first of our Braille Tactile Signs Aust. Inspirational Voices series and we hope his story resonates with you as deeply as it does with us. Because inclusion isn’t just about designing accessible environments, it’s about amplifying voices like Karan’s.

 

How would you describe your blindness or low vision in just a few words?

I live with Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that is degenerative and causes blindness and hearing loss. I currently only have around 3 degrees of central vision which is literally like seeing through a straw. I also wear hearing aids.

 

What’s a piece of advice that’s stuck with you?

Having a disability is not a choice, but how we live with one definitely is. Make the most of what you have and, most importantly, be your own best friend and learn to hold your own hand because from personal experience, when you are at your lowest mentally and emotionally, only you can lift yourself up.

 

What’s the one thing you wish more people understood about accessibility?

Accessibility starts with YOU! Don’t expect organisations or the general public to prioritise inclusion if you’re not doing the work yourself. For example, many people including those with low vision still post on social media without image or video descriptions or forget to use camel case in hashtags. So if you’re advocating, practice what you preach. Accessibility starts with you. That way your friends, family, colleagues, or followers can learn and follow your lead and slowly, the wider community gets on board.

 

What would you say is your superpower?

I’ve really embraced my life for what it is and decided to make lemonade out of lemons and trust me, as a blind person, some of the lemons are disgustingly sour. But I’ve learned the art of making the most of what I have so maybe my lemonade is the most boujee lemonade in the most spectacular glass with some delicious garnishes.

If you could choose any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?

I’d choose the power to make our pets live as long as we do. If a genie offered me one wish, as tempting as it would be to cure blindness, I’d wish for my doggies Henry and Ellie to live as long as I do.

 

If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

My doggies. They eat fancy food, play all day, get showered in love, and can get away with anything. Everything about them is adorable even when they grunt, snore or release toxic gases.

 

 

Image Description: [Karan Nagrani Presenting at the Vision 2020 Australia Summit, Speaking with Passion While Holding a White Cane and Clicker]

You’ve got such a wild sense of humour… share one of your funniest moments as “that blind guy”!

One time, newly single and legally blind (with no night vision), I was at a club and saw this cute guy. After some liquid courage, I approached and turned on the charm we chatted for ages, but nothing was happening. I thought maybe I wasn’t good-looking enough. Then the lights came on and… it turned out I’d been flirting with ‘a very handsome lesbian!’ To say I was embarrassed was an understatement.

What’s one misconception about blindness you’d love to debunk?

That it’s boring. People assume we just sit in the dark, sad and alone. But I’ve skydived, bungee jumped, river rafted, flown down a flying fox, and even pushed myself off a cliff in New Zealand (strapped to a chair!). So who’s boring now?

What’s a tech tool or accessibility feature you can’t live without?

My phone’s zoomed text, high contrast, reversed colours, bold fonts, and outlined buttons. Total game changers, especially as a content creator.

 

Image Description: [Karan Nagrani Smiling in a Garden Setting, Wearing a Colourful Patterned Shirt and Holding His White Cane]

If your life was a movie, what would the title be?

That Blind Guy

What’s the most unexpected or hilarious reaction someone’s had when they found out you’re blind?

Someone once asked me in a supermarket if I was blind (as I stood with a cane), and when I said yes, she replied: ‘You don’t look blind. But if it makes you feel any better, I get migraines all the time.’

What’s your go-to life ‘hack’ as a blind person?

Use your phone. If you can’t see something clearly, take a photo and zoom in or out to figure out what’s around you.

What’s a moment where you felt truly seen and understood?

When my original content to raise awareness was celebrated by the media and received great public response. I’ve spoken at events and festivals and, for two years in a row, was ranked in the world’s Top 40 blind influencers and possibly the only Aussie on the list.

If you could leave people with one message about inclusion and ability, what would it be?

Most people will never meet a blind person in their life which leads to sad stereotypes. But blind people are just as human, intelligent, funny, worldly, and sexy as anyone else. Don’t decide what we can or can’t do based on a film or TV show, get to know us, and we’ll surprise you.

 

Image Description: [Karan Nagrani Speaking at Link Vision's Blind Australian of the Year Awards, Standing at the Podium with His White Cane at the Amora Hotel in Brisbane. Reggie Sorensen is in the bottom left corner filming the audience with a smile on her face!]

You were MC for the Link Vision 2024 Blind Australian of the Year Awards. What moment left a lasting impression?

Afterwards, chatting with everyone in the room, it was the first event I’ve attended where blind people were the majority. It felt like home. I especially loved it when I said, ‘As a keynote speaker, I usually make blind jokes to audiences of sighted people… but now in a room full of blindies, will you see them coming?’ (Terrible dad joke but the reaction was everything!)

How do you think events like the Link Vision Blind Australian of the Year Awards can shift perceptions?

They show what we’re capable of and smash ableist narratives.

How do Key Partners and Sponsors like us help amplify that impact?

Sponsorship allows organisations to keep making a difference. Many mainstream groups overlook Blind Australians, so support from people like you reminds us we’re seen, valued, and connected. The impact goes beyond money; it spreads hope, recognition, and belonging.

What’s the next step for us all to help this grow?

Keep supporting and bring more affiliates onboard. With more help, the message reaches wider, even into mainstream media.

What’s a motto you live by?

Having a disability is not a choice but how you live with one is.

 

Karan’s story reminds us that accessibility isn’t just a policy or a product it’s a mindset! It’s about choosing to show up, include others, and do the small things that make a big difference. Whether you’re a designer, builder, developer, business owner or just someone trying to do better, the invitation is simple: start with you. Add the Alt Text. Check the contrast. Use the camel case hashtag. And maybe, channel a bit of Karan’s flair while you’re at it because inclusive design, when done with heart (and humour), doesn’t just open doors. It makes everyone feel welcome when they walk through them.

A Huge Thank You to Karan

Karan, we’re incredibly grateful to you for sharing your story with such honesty, humour, and heart. Your words challenge perceptions, break down barriers, and remind us all that true inclusion starts with action. Your passion, advocacy, and unapologetic authenticity are a force to be reckoned with, and we’re honoured to share your journey as part of our Braille Tactile Signs Aust. Inspirational Voices Series.

Thank you for using your voice to shift the narrative and for showing the world that blindness is not a limitation, just a different way of experiencing life.