Start Date
18-6-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
18-6-2025 10:30 AM
Abstract
An Intersectional Examination of Blind and Visually Impaired Women’s Physical Activity Experiences
Introduction Largely, existing research examining the physical activity behaviours of blind adults have been survey studies (Haegele et al., 2016; Haegele et al., 2017; Haegele & Zhu, 2021; 2022; Jaarsma et al., 2014; Shaw et al., 2012; Starkoff et al., 2017), leaving a rich description of their physical activity experiences unexplored. According to Seale (2012), it is important to study the lived experience of individuals who identify as being a woman and having a disability to investigate how their multiple and multiplicative positions lead to possible oppression and opportunity in physical activity contexts.. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of blind women when attempting to access and participate in physical activity through an intersectional lens.
Methodology This study utilized an experiential qualitative research approach (Braun & Clarke, 2021), and 10 blind women between the ages of 27-45 years served as participants. Data were collected through one-on-one audio recorded semi-structured interviews with each participant.
Results The reflexive thematic analysis of the interview data yielded the construction of two themes, (1) ‘The female part definitely adds another layer of perceived vulnerability’: Confounding vulnerability, and (2) ‘Men are seen as strong; women are seen as bitches’: Navigating stereotypes.
Conclusions Findings revealed that participants were aware of others perceiving them as vulnerable, and that to avoid gendered and abled exchanges, they adopted several practices that allowed them to feel safer in physical activity environments. Additionally, the women’s physical activity experiences were clearly impacted by gender and disability stereotypes evidenced by the ways in which they navigated disparities in expectations.
References Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. Sage.
Haegele, J. A., Brian, A. S., & Lieberman, L. J. (2017). Social cognitive theory determinants of physical activity in adults with visual impairments. Journal of Developmental & Physical Disabilities, 29(6), 911-923. https://doi.org/10.1007/s108802-017-9562-0
Haegele, J. A. & Zhu, X. (2021). Physical activity, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life among adults with visual impairments. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(4), 530-
Haegele, J. A., & Zhu, X. (2022). Movement behaviors, comorbidities, and health- related quality of life among adults with visual impairments. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(16), 4361-4367. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1906333
Haegele, J. A., Zhu, X., Lee, J., & Lieberman, L. J. (2016). Physical activity for adults with visual impairments: Impact of socio-demographic factors. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 9(1), 33-14. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2016.001
Jaarsma, E. A., Dekker, R., Koopmans, S. A., Dijkstra, P. U., & Geertzen, J. H. B. (2014). Barriers to and facilitators of sports participation in people with visual impairments. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 31(3), 240-264. https://doi.org/10.1123/2013-0119
Seale, E. (2012). Understanding complexity in disability sport: The potential of feminist philosophies and intersectionality. Psychology of Women Section Review, 14(2), 34-40.
Shaw, A. C., Flack, A., Smale, B., & Gold, D., (2012). Finding a way to participate: Physical activity, constraints, and strategies. Insight, 5(3), 139-153.
Starkoff, B. E., Lenz, E. K., Lieberman, L. J., Foley, J., Too, D. (2017). Physical activity patterns of adults with visual impairments. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 35(2), 130-142. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264619617691080
Recommended Citation
Ball, Lindsay E. PhD, "An Intersectional Examination of Blind and Visually Impaired Women's Physical activity Experiences" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 3.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day3/3
An Intersectional Examination of Blind and Visually Impaired Women's Physical activity Experiences
An Intersectional Examination of Blind and Visually Impaired Women’s Physical Activity Experiences
Introduction Largely, existing research examining the physical activity behaviours of blind adults have been survey studies (Haegele et al., 2016; Haegele et al., 2017; Haegele & Zhu, 2021; 2022; Jaarsma et al., 2014; Shaw et al., 2012; Starkoff et al., 2017), leaving a rich description of their physical activity experiences unexplored. According to Seale (2012), it is important to study the lived experience of individuals who identify as being a woman and having a disability to investigate how their multiple and multiplicative positions lead to possible oppression and opportunity in physical activity contexts.. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of blind women when attempting to access and participate in physical activity through an intersectional lens.
Methodology This study utilized an experiential qualitative research approach (Braun & Clarke, 2021), and 10 blind women between the ages of 27-45 years served as participants. Data were collected through one-on-one audio recorded semi-structured interviews with each participant.
Results The reflexive thematic analysis of the interview data yielded the construction of two themes, (1) ‘The female part definitely adds another layer of perceived vulnerability’: Confounding vulnerability, and (2) ‘Men are seen as strong; women are seen as bitches’: Navigating stereotypes.
Conclusions Findings revealed that participants were aware of others perceiving them as vulnerable, and that to avoid gendered and abled exchanges, they adopted several practices that allowed them to feel safer in physical activity environments. Additionally, the women’s physical activity experiences were clearly impacted by gender and disability stereotypes evidenced by the ways in which they navigated disparities in expectations.
References Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. Sage.
Haegele, J. A., Brian, A. S., & Lieberman, L. J. (2017). Social cognitive theory determinants of physical activity in adults with visual impairments. Journal of Developmental & Physical Disabilities, 29(6), 911-923. https://doi.org/10.1007/s108802-017-9562-0
Haegele, J. A. & Zhu, X. (2021). Physical activity, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life among adults with visual impairments. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(4), 530-
Haegele, J. A., & Zhu, X. (2022). Movement behaviors, comorbidities, and health- related quality of life among adults with visual impairments. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(16), 4361-4367. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1906333
Haegele, J. A., Zhu, X., Lee, J., & Lieberman, L. J. (2016). Physical activity for adults with visual impairments: Impact of socio-demographic factors. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 9(1), 33-14. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2016.001
Jaarsma, E. A., Dekker, R., Koopmans, S. A., Dijkstra, P. U., & Geertzen, J. H. B. (2014). Barriers to and facilitators of sports participation in people with visual impairments. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 31(3), 240-264. https://doi.org/10.1123/2013-0119
Seale, E. (2012). Understanding complexity in disability sport: The potential of feminist philosophies and intersectionality. Psychology of Women Section Review, 14(2), 34-40.
Shaw, A. C., Flack, A., Smale, B., & Gold, D., (2012). Finding a way to participate: Physical activity, constraints, and strategies. Insight, 5(3), 139-153.
Starkoff, B. E., Lenz, E. K., Lieberman, L. J., Foley, J., Too, D. (2017). Physical activity patterns of adults with visual impairments. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 35(2), 130-142. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264619617691080