Changing what it Means to be “Normal”: A Grounded Theory Study of the Mobility Choices of People who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Abstract

Introduction The ability to travel to destinations outside of the home is important to social inclusion and quality of life, and it is one of the most significant challenges for people who are visually impaired (that is, those who are blind or have low vision). There has been little research into the underlying concerns of people who are visually impaired when making decisions about mobility. Methods This grounded theory study explored the main mobility-related concerns of people who are visually impaired. It uses qualitative data drawn from a combination of online discussions; face-to-face, telephone, and e-mail interviews; and focus groups with people who are visually impaired and rehabilitation practitioners. Results The primary concern of people who are visually impaired when making choices about where to go, and when and how to do so, was a desire to see oneself and to be seen by others as “normal.” Self-identity and perceived “normality” are subjective and changeable and are continually internally coreconstructed (that is, simultaneously and interdependently reinterpreted and reconceptualised) to achieve congruence between them. The mobility strategies used are those that are perceived as most “normal.”. Discussion Perceived “normality” has a powerful influence on behavior. By acknowledging this influence, rehabilitation services may be better able to promote autonomy and self-reliance. Implications for practitioners To promote independence, rehabilitation services must change people's perception of what is “normal.” People must be supported to come to perceive fulfillment of valued social roles, autonomy, and self-reliance as “normal.”

Self-Esteem and Coping Styles in Polish Youths with and Without Visual Impairments

“…As far as coping styles, there were no statistically significant group differences. This finding is inconsistent with previous reports (Ball & Nicolle, 2015; Crudden et al, 2017; Konarska, 2007), according to which individuals with visual impairments demonstrated a greater propensity for avoidance coping. It should be noted, however, that in the present study, participants were not asked about coping with specific stressors (e.g., those associated with transportation or social relations) because the coping styles under investigation were defined as a relatively persistent predisposition of an individual to cope in a particular manner in challenging situations (Strelau et al, 2005).…”

“…There is very little empirical data on coping in youths with visual impairments or the relationship between self-esteem and coping style in this group. It has been demonstrated that when facing one of the most significant sources of stress for people with visual impairments, namely constraints in mobility, these individuals tended to use avoidant coping, which means that they tried to avoid stressors connected with transportation by restricting their participation in various social activities (Ball & Nicolle, 2015; Crudden, Cmar, & McDonall, 2017). Konarska (2007) also reported that Polish adolescents with visual impairments withdrew or acted passively in stressful situations more often than did sighted adolescents.…”

Perbandingan Ketersediaan Ubin Tekstur Pemandu Untuk Tunanetra Di Tempat Umum Antara Kota Surakarta Dan Kota Nagoya

“…Contohnya adalah kemampuan untuk melakukan perjalanan secara mandiri atau berpindah tempat yang sangat penting bagi kualitas hidup manusia. Namun hal ini menjadi tantangan terbesar dari seorang tunanetra (Ball & Nicolle, 2015). Kemampuan untuk berjalan secara mandiri sangat diperlukan, terutama untuk kegiatan yang berkaitan dengan pekerjaan dan hidup secara mandiri (National Research Council, 2002).…”

Compensación sensorial y desarrollo de mapas mentales para la orientación y movilidad autónoma de niños ciegos

“…Las implicaciones personales y sociales derivadas de una carencia o falla de las habilidades de OyM por parte de los niños con DV son diversas. Ball y Nicolle (2015) argumentan que la habilidad para trasladarse en espacios familiares, y sobre todo en lugares fuera de la casa, es importante para la calidad de vida y la inclusión social; por otra parte, la complejidad del ambiente afecta la movilidad de las personas con DV. Los obstáculos como postes, letreros, bancas e incluso otros peatones presentan diferentes características (posición, forma, tamaño y material) que deben ser detectadas por los niños con DV para entender cómo evitarlos (Arias, Ximena, Bermejo, Venturelli y Rabinovich, 2010).…”