Uneven Path in Karachi: Infrastructure Barriers and Vision Impairment

Abstract

Abstract: Vision impairment has a major influence on daily life. The physical infrastructural limitations and lack of accessibility significantly impact the daily lives of persons with vision impairment (VI) . Therefore, this basic, qualitative, case study, urban sociological research was conducted to explain uneven path due to infrastructure barriers and vision impairment. The researchers considered Social-Ecological Systems (SES) theory as framework to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the interplay between social and ecological factors contributes to some unequal opportunities e.g. social, economic, educational opportunities etc. for persons with vision impairment (VI) in Karachi, Pakistan. Researchers used the purposive sampling method. Data was collected by conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with a sample size of 8 persons with vision impairment(VI)  in Urdu and then transcribed in English, analyzed, organized, and properly stored. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis method. This study reveals the impacts of current physical infrastructure, Inaccessibility and cycle of exclusion for persons with vision impairment (VI). This study also reveals some positive initiatives and examples of accessible infrastructure in Karachi, Pakistan. It is concluded that, there is a need of solving Infrastructure barriers and vision impairment both to create an even path in Karachi, Pakistan.