COVID-19 and vision impairment: Constraints negotiation, participation, and well-being during lockdown in the United Kingdom

Nigel Halpern; Jillian M Rickly; Marcus Hansen; John Fellenor

doi:10.1177/02646196211009931

COVID-19 and vision impairment: Constraints negotiation, participation, and well-being during lockdown in the United Kingdom

Br J Vis Impair. 2023 Jan;41(1):3-19. doi: 10.1177/02646196211009931.

Authors

Nigel Halpern¹, Jillian M Rickly², Marcus Hansen³, John Fellenor⁴

Affiliations

¹ Kristiania University College, Norway.
² University of Nottingham, UK.
³ Wrexham Glyndwr University, UK.
⁴ Guide Dogs, UK.

Abstract

In response to the Coronavirus disease, the United Kingdom (UK) government introduced lockdown measures requiring people to isolate and adhere to social distancing. This article uses Constraints Negotiation Theory to examine effects of the lockdown on people with vision impairment (PwVI). The research is based on an online survey of 639 PwVI in the UK. The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling in SmartPLS. The findings show that the lockdown had a negative effect on the participation and well-being of PwVI. However, they also show that the negative effects could be negotiated by adapting activities. This emphasises the need for a more inclusive response to current or future pandemics that recognises the vulnerabilities of PwVI and helps them to overcome the challenges associated with any measures that are introduced.

Keywords: COVID-19; Constraints Negotiation Theory; participation; vision impairment; well-being.