Exploring the role of an emotional support and counselling service for people with visual impairments

Abstract

There is growing evidence of the need for services to address the emotional support needs of people with visual impairments. This paper presents findings from a mixed methods evaluation of an emotional support and counselling (ESaC) service delivered within an integrated low vision service, focusing primarily on the qualitative findings. Data collected using a standardised measure of psychological well-being (the CORE-OM) show an improvement in the psychological well-being of clients of the service between baseline and follow-up assessment. Qualitative findings from interviews with service users and service providers help to illustrate and explain the experiences underlying the quantitative findings. The ESaC services are shown to be helpful to service users in two particular ways: helping them to normalise their experiences by talking to an impartial listener; and helping them to accept and adapt to the physical, emotional and social changes in their lives resulting from their visual impairment.

Visual impairment, coping strategies and impact on daily life: a qualitative study among working-age UK ex-service personnel

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Adaptive behavior of children with visual impairment

“…Brojna istraživanja su pokazala da su deca sa ošte-ćenjem vida izloženija riziku od socijalne izolacije (Hodge, et al, 2013). Prilagođavanje na zahteve života je, u svetu koji je vizuelno orijentisan, veoma kompleksno za osobe sa oštećenjem vida (Schinazi, 2007).…”

Burnout and Quality of Life Among Massage Therapists with Visual Impairment

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