Belfast Without Sight: Exploring Geographies of Blindness

Authors

  • Robert M. Kitchin National University of Ireland, Maynooth
  • R. Daniel Jacobson University of California Santa Barbara
  • Mark Blades University of Sheffield

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1998.363

Abstract

In this paper the transformed spaces of visually impaired and blind people is explored through a detailed analysis of interview transcripts with twenty seven visually impaired people living in or around Belfast. Data were collected using a structured open-ended interview and were analysed within NUD-IST, a qualitative data analysis package. Analysis revealed that visually impaired people become spatially confused (e.g. lost or disorientated) for two primary reasons. ‘Self-produced’ confusion is spatial confusion caused by the misperception/miscognition of a route (e.g. miscounting intersections). ‘Situational’ confusion is spatial confusion caused by a permanent or temporary localised occurrences such as road works, vehicles parked on pavements, and street furniture. Both types of spatial confusion were found to induce feelings of fear and anxiety, leading to a loss of self-confidence, embarrassment and frustration, which in turn led to less independent travel and exploration, and constrained patterns of spatial behaviour. Respondents detailed a number of strategies for coping with spatial confusion. In addition, they assessed methods to make Belfast more navigable including environmental modifications and orientation and mobility aids.

Author Biographies

Robert M. Kitchin, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Department of Geography

R. Daniel Jacobson, University of California Santa Barbara

Department of Geography

Mark Blades, University of Sheffield

Department of Psychology

Published

2015-01-06

How to Cite

Kitchin, R. M., Jacobson, R. D., & Blades, M. (2015). Belfast Without Sight: Exploring Geographies of Blindness. Irish Geography, 31(1), 34–46. https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1998.363

Issue

Section

Original Articles

URN