IMPACT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON EVERYDAY LIFE OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE

Abstract

Social isolation is challenging for everyone unless it is undertaken as a personal choice. When facing a situation that demands fast adaptation to an unnatural rhythm and daily routine, people start looking for coping strategies. Remote working, studying, communicating and shopping, which have so far been an incidental option, are now the one and only option. The current article reviews measures undertaken by the majority of organizations of and in support of blind people so as to offer up-to-date information to their members/target audience, to provide for their needs for access, to acquaint them with the available alternative forms of studying, communication, social activities and technologies as well as to reduce to the minimum the feeling of isolation. What is the impact of social distancing and isolation on people with visual impairments, do they encounter difficulties in performing everyday activities and how do they cope with the imposed restrictions and measures for the prevention of the spread of the decease? To answer these questions a survey was conducted among 26 individuals with visual impairments which sought to find out their attitude to the restrictive measures, the degree in which they found it possible to perform their daily activities as well as an analysis of the positive and negative impact on their personal lives.