The Person in a Situation of Visual Impairment and its Perception and Imagination from the Qualitative Viewpoint

摘要

The purpose of the paper is to provide an insight into the qualitative aspects of visual impairment. Perception and imagination in people in a situation of visual impairment are the main areas of our research. Visual impairment affects the perception of the target group and the way how they create their visions and inner images. We are interested in the differences in perception and imagination in people with visual impairment. We performed qualitative research and we conducted a case study aimed at individual experiences. Due to its subjectivity, qualitative research represents the attitude to the subject. As such, it does not mean the exact opposite of objectivity. A comparison of two cases brought individual characteristics; we could also see repetitive patterns. Perception in a person with visual impairment can be ensured by means of imagination, memories and past experience. While a sighted individual relies on the information perceived, a person with visual impairment uses perception in the context of imagination. This seems to be valid especially when we talk about an individual who gradually loses the sight and uses remaining visual perception. This depends on individual specifics and many factors – biological, psychological, social, and spiritual ones. Perception and imagination is dependent on the etiology of visual impairment and its progression. A loss of sight is also a stressful situation, which changes visual perception and imagination. The progression of the impairment influences the internal dimension of the person and his/her self-perception. Mental states and processes, emotions, and individual personality characteristics become part of the process of sight loss. Therefore, everything happens in the context of consciousness, unconsciousness, and meta-consciousness.