It is time to review the schedule for the placement of your session in the AAACE Agenda. This is the final draft of the Schedule. When you look up your name, use the detail listing to check what days/times you asked to be placed. This is a huge program and we can accommodate necessary changes in day and time now, but may not be able to do so after September 1, 2013 except in emergencies. Please carefully check your placement and send any requests to Ginger Phillips, AAACE Conference Planner with AAACE Session Change Request in the subject line. We will respond to your email, but it may take us up to a week to do so. Thanks for your help in "fine tuning" this agenda!
Identity Development and Progressive Vision Loss: Analysis of an Individual’s Story of Becoming Visually Impaired
Type of Presentation
Shared
Session Abstract
This study uses phenomenological and narrative analysis methods to explore the meaning of an individual's experience of becoming visually impaired and how that experience impacted his perceived identity.
Target Audience
Any adult educator, stakeholder, counselor, or individual who is involved with a person who is currently experiencing or who has already experienced a significant decrease in visual abilities may benefit from the information provided in this presentation. This wide-ranging audience of individuals may benefit from the knowledge and understanding of the reflected experience of becoming visually impaired that was collected, analyzed, and described here. It is hoped that all attendees will gain some understanding of the experience and its impact on personal identity from the rich descriptions and analysis of the narrative collected in the study.
Learning Outcomes
Learners will be able to gain some understanding of the lived experience of an individual who has navigated the progressive loss of his vision as an adult. The presentation will provide the learner with rich descriptions of the individual's reflective experience of progressing from sighted to low vision to legally blind. Learners will also be presented with an analysis of the collected narrative that highlights and unpacks the impact of progressive vision loss on the individual's perceived identity in a sighted world.
Session Description
Visual impairment is a low-incidence disability, and the voices of this population are rarely heard. People who are blind or visually impaired are often misunderstood, underestimated, and at worst, pitied. By bringing the voices of these individuals to the forefront, we can accomplish greater understanding of the experience of being blind or visually impaired in society. This is not to say that the story and the experiences of this individual can be applied to all persons who are visually impaired. What can be said is that the narrative explored here is rich, meaningful, honest, and insightful. Additionally, the sharing and exploring of this narrative can increase the understanding of the phenomenon of progressive vision loss and the associated impact of identity. The process of collecting this material has had a powerful impact on both the researcher and the individual, and it is hoped that the audience will also be moved.
Efforts are made to try to schedule sessions on the day preferred by the Primary Presenter, though this cannot be guaranteed. Please check your preference.
No preference
Primary Presenter
Michael Munro, Texas A&M University- Stephen F. Austin State University
Work Title
Adult Education Doctoral Student - Texas A&M University; Human Services Faculty Member - Stephen F. Austin State University