Facing Barriers and Internalized Stigma Experienced by Blind People Working in an Organization

Abstract

          The principal aim of this qualitative research is to explore the psychological effects experienced by blind persons when facing work and other barriers in the organization. The data were collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The participants in this research included six blind employees who worked in organizations together with sighted colleagues. The participants aged between 34 and 52 years, with their education ranging from high school to doctoral level. The findings were grouped into two main themes below:

          1) organizational barriers which included institutional working systems that did not support blind persons in the workplace. This also limited their ability to move around independently. In addition, blind persons often found themselves feeling excluded when it came to participating in office activities. They usually received limited pay and did not have much chance when it came to career advancement; and

          2) internalized stigma which made blind persons feel unworthy, let alone a burden. Last but not least, they experience the humbling realities of disability.

         The findings reflect blind people’s perspectives related to the workplace.   The hope is that this thesis will have a beneficial effect not only on the design of counseling service, but also will help prepare blind persons to work more smoothly and effectively with sighted employees on a basis of mutual understanding.