Özet:

This research aims to explore the experiences of visually impaired individuals, who are considered as one of the risky groups during the Covid-19 pandemic process, the problems they encounter in their social lives, the solutions they develop, their social skills and blinded life practices. The research, which was carried out from a phenomenological point of view, was designed in a qualitative method. In the research conducted with 20 visually impaired individuals aged between 23-48, semi-structured questions were directed to the participants and in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were conducted online as the pandemic process continued. The data obtained as a result of the interviews were analyzed by the researchers by repeated and cross-readings. As a result of the analysis, in the light of the data obtained in this research, in which the effect of the Covid-19 epidemic process on the lives of visually impaired individuals was examined, four main themes were identified as "changing independent movement skills and individual competencies during the pandemic", "changing social skills during the epidemic period", "effects of digital transformation that comes with the pandemic" and “prejudice and discrimination sustained under the pretext of pandemic” and sub-themes related to these themes were created. As a result of the research, visually impaired individuals who experience the Covid-19 pandemic process; It has been revealed that there are some transformations in their domestic life practices, their social life and independent movements are restricted, the unconscious helping behaviors they are exposed to cause some difficulties and risks, there are accessibility problems due to the increase in their use of online platforms, and attitudes and behaviors containing prejudice and discrimination are encountered.

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