Redefining Independence: An Autoethnographic Journey of Visual Impairment and Advocacy
Faculty Advisor Name
Melissa Aleman
Department
School of Communication Studies
Description
This autoethnographic narrative explores the life and experiences of a visually impaired author, reflecting on the impact of disability on personal, educational, and professional development. Autoethnography is a qualitative research method that combines personal experiences with cultural analysis, using self-reflection and storytelling to examine broader social and systemic issues. As a research method, a personal narrative provides lived experience as evidence and perspective into the intersections of disability, identity, and institutional support. By centering my journey, the project highlights the role of advocacy services in promoting disability awareness.
The project focuses on my journey as a client of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). It explores how the agency's support has shaped my identity, sense of independence, and self-advocacy. Through personal reflections, storytelling, and analysis of key experiences, this narrative illustrates the challenges and triumphs of navigating life as a visually impaired individual.
A central theme is the intersection of disability and independence, where I reflect on the empowering shift from seeing my disability as a limitation to embracing it as part of my identity. I also explore how self-advocacy has been a key factor in reclaiming my autonomy, allowing me to navigate challenges more confidently and actively seek the resources and opportunities I need to succeed. Doing so allowed me to advocate for myself in ways that helped me thrive academically and professionally. Self-advocacy became essential in reclaiming my independence and empowering me to take charge of my journey and pursue success on my terms.
The project begins with my introduction to DBVI in high school, detailing the challenges I faced as a young person with a visual impairment and how DBVI's assistance began to shape my life. This includes early exposure to assistive technology, orientation and mobility training, and educational support. It continues to track my journey through undergraduate and graduate school, exploring the evolving role of DBVI as I transitioned into adulthood. By examining case manager interactions, emails, and records, I reflect on how my understanding of disability shifted over time—from seeing it as something to hide or overcome to embracing it as part of my identity.
Ultimately, this autoethnography seeks to provide a meaningful and authentic account of my life as a visually impaired individual, shedding light on how support services like DBVI foster independence, self-advocacy, and personal growth. By reflecting on my experiences, I hope to contribute to a more extensive dialogue about the importance of inclusive practices, disability awareness, and the potential for individuals with disabilities to thrive when provided with the right resources and support. My experiences underscore that disability should not be seen as a limitation to achievement but rather as an aspect of human diversity that, when adequately supported, allows individuals with disabilities to flourish.
Redefining Independence: An Autoethnographic Journey of Visual Impairment and Advocacy
This autoethnographic narrative explores the life and experiences of a visually impaired author, reflecting on the impact of disability on personal, educational, and professional development. Autoethnography is a qualitative research method that combines personal experiences with cultural analysis, using self-reflection and storytelling to examine broader social and systemic issues. As a research method, a personal narrative provides lived experience as evidence and perspective into the intersections of disability, identity, and institutional support. By centering my journey, the project highlights the role of advocacy services in promoting disability awareness.
The project focuses on my journey as a client of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). It explores how the agency's support has shaped my identity, sense of independence, and self-advocacy. Through personal reflections, storytelling, and analysis of key experiences, this narrative illustrates the challenges and triumphs of navigating life as a visually impaired individual.
A central theme is the intersection of disability and independence, where I reflect on the empowering shift from seeing my disability as a limitation to embracing it as part of my identity. I also explore how self-advocacy has been a key factor in reclaiming my autonomy, allowing me to navigate challenges more confidently and actively seek the resources and opportunities I need to succeed. Doing so allowed me to advocate for myself in ways that helped me thrive academically and professionally. Self-advocacy became essential in reclaiming my independence and empowering me to take charge of my journey and pursue success on my terms.
The project begins with my introduction to DBVI in high school, detailing the challenges I faced as a young person with a visual impairment and how DBVI's assistance began to shape my life. This includes early exposure to assistive technology, orientation and mobility training, and educational support. It continues to track my journey through undergraduate and graduate school, exploring the evolving role of DBVI as I transitioned into adulthood. By examining case manager interactions, emails, and records, I reflect on how my understanding of disability shifted over time—from seeing it as something to hide or overcome to embracing it as part of my identity.
Ultimately, this autoethnography seeks to provide a meaningful and authentic account of my life as a visually impaired individual, shedding light on how support services like DBVI foster independence, self-advocacy, and personal growth. By reflecting on my experiences, I hope to contribute to a more extensive dialogue about the importance of inclusive practices, disability awareness, and the potential for individuals with disabilities to thrive when provided with the right resources and support. My experiences underscore that disability should not be seen as a limitation to achievement but rather as an aspect of human diversity that, when adequately supported, allows individuals with disabilities to flourish.
