Fit for Growth

Contents / Description

Speaker

Saliya Kahawatte

Saliya Kahawatte is a German entrepreneur, author, and inclusion ambassador. At the age of 15, he lost most of his vision due to progressive retinal detachment. Despite his severe visual impairment, he completed his high school diploma and trained as a hotel manager, followed by a degree in hotel management.
After years of concealing his disability in his professional life, he decided in 2006 to be open about his visual impairment. When he was unable to find a job as a result, he founded his own company and, in his own words, “turned his flaw into a brand.” In 2009, he published his autobiography, “Mein Blind Date mit dem Leben” (My Blind Date with Life), which was successfully adapted into a film in 2017. Kahawatte is a sought-after speaker and is committed to the social inclusion of people with visual impairments through the Saliya Foundation e.V., which he founded. He lives and works in Hamburg and campaigns for greater autonomy in the everyday lives of blind and visually impaired people—among other things through the use of digital assistance systems.

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Participation

The SightCity 2026 workshops offer a diverse program for work, everyday life and leisure. From professional development and creative workshops to exercise and relaxation offers – here you will find inspiring sessions for your personal and professional development. Experience practical sessions under expert guidance, exchange ideas with like-minded people and discover new perspectives and opportunities.

On-site participation

You are cordially invited to participate in the workshop free of charge on site (unless it is a paid workshop).

The event room is located in Kap Europa, 1st floor, east side, on the workshop stage. When you exit the elevator, turn right and then immediately left. Follow the corridor to the end of the building, then turn right. The second door on the right is the entrance to the workshop room.

Please note:

• Separate registration is usually required for workshops. If there are still places available, you can join at the start of the event.
• Prior payment is required for workshops that are subject to a fee. Registrations are binding.
• Access is only possible at the start of an event and only as long as places are still available.

Important information on registration:

• Participation options:
  • On-site presence (Kap Europa, Frankfurt)
  • Online participation via livestream
• Limitation of participants:
  • On site: 30 people
  • Online: 100 people
• Participation fee: Free of charge

Registration process:

1. Complete the following registration form in full
2. Select your desired type of participation (presence/online)
3. You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 3 working days
4. The confirmation e-mail contains
5. If you are attending in person: Your confirmation of participation (counts as admission authorization)
6. For online participation: The access data for the livestream
7. Information on payment of the participation fee, if applicable
   • For in-person participation: Your confirmation of participation (counts as admission authorization)
   • For online participation: The access data for the livestream
   • Information on payment of the participation fee, if applicable

Important notes:

• Registration is binding
• Places will be allocated according to the number of registrations received
• If you are unable to attend, please cancel in good time so that other interested parties can move up
• In exceptional cases, remaining places can be booked directly at the SightCity reception on the day of the event
• The availability of last-minute places cannot be guaranteed

Please note: Prior registration is strongly recommended as capacities are limited.