ABSTRACT

The Routledge Handbook of Visual Impairment examines current debates as well as cross-examining traditionally held beliefs around visual impairment. It provides a bridge between medical practice and social and cultural research drawing on authentic investigations.

It is the intention of this Handbook to provide an opportunity to engage with academic researchers who wish to ensure a coherent and rigorous approach to research construction and reflection on visual impairment that is in collaboration with, but sometimes is beyond, the medical realm.

This Handbook is divided into ten thematic areas in order to represent the wide range of debates and concepts within visual impairment. The ten themes include:

  • cerebral visual impairment;
  • education;
  • sport and physical exercise;
  • assistive technology;
  • understanding the cultural aesthetics;
  • socio-emotional and sexual aspects of visual impairment;
  • orientation, mobility, habitation, and rehabilitation;
  • recent advances in "eye" research and sensory substitution devices;
  • ageing and adulthood.

 

The 27 chapters that explore the social and cultural aspects of visual impairment can be taken and used in a variety of different ways in order to promote research and generate debate among practitioners and scholars who wish to use this resource to inform their practice in supporting and developing positive outcomes for all.

chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction and synthesis of themes

The editor’s perspective

part I|41 pages

Introducing and understanding the profile, sociological and psychological impact of visual impairment

chapter 2|7 pages

Global data on vision loss

Implications for services

chapter 3|18 pages

Psychological representation of visual impairment

Perception and how visually impaired people “see” the world

chapter 4|14 pages

On being blind

part II|45 pages

Cerebral visual impairment/cerebral visual processing

part III|75 pages

Education

part IV|29 pages

Sport and physical exercise for people with visual impairment

part V|17 pages

Assistive technology

part VII|41 pages

Socio-emotional and sexual aspects of visual impairment

chapter 19|15 pages

Social-emotional aspects of visual impairment

A practitioner’s perspective

chapter 21|9 pages

Human mate selection theory

Specific considerations for persons with visual impairments

part VIII|45 pages

Orientation, mobility, habilitation and rehabilitation

chapter 22|27 pages

Modern approaches to orientation and mobility

Habilitation and rehabilitation

part IX|35 pages

Recent advances in “eye” research and sensory substitution devices

part X|44 pages

Aging and adulthood