An Examination of Visually Impaired Individuals’ Uncertainty Management

ABSTRACT

Being visually impaired or legally blind (having vision that is uncorrectable or cannot be corrected to a legally acceptable level) is inherently uncertain. Although uncertainty can result in positive, negative, or neutral consequences, little is known about how uncertainty is experienced and negotiated in this understudied population. Thus, through in-depth, semi-structured interviews of 24 individuals with a visual impairment, we apply uncertainty management theory (UMT) to examine the communication strategies visually impaired individuals used to manage the personal, vision-related, and social uncertainty they experienced. Many participants appraised the uncertainty negatively and consequently aimed to reduce it by seeking social support and information, using instrumental strategies, and proactively disclosing their visual impairment. Interviewees who preferred to remain uncertain maintained it by avoiding thinking about their visual impairment or worsening vision and/or by concealing their low vision and passing as sighted. Last, some participants, particularly those who were born with low vision or had been visually impaired longer, learned to adapt to the uncertainty through reframing and accepting, self-care, and by turning to God. The study also uncovered that some participants’ uncertainty management was limited by ableist constraints, such as inadequate support systems, systemic barriers, and stigma. The study also underscores the universal and fluid nature of uncertainty and uncovers tangible ways individuals with visual impairment can navigate uncertainty within a pervasive cultural biomedical model of disability.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Being visually impaired or legally blind refers to having vision that is uncorrectable or cannot be corrected to a legally acceptable level (Smith & Kandath, 2000). VIIs are also referred to as low vision, legally blind, visually disabled, or experiencing blindness.

2. We use this abbreviation as a concise way to refer to our participants, as many referenced themselves that way.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Faculty Research and Professional Development funds from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina State University.