Abstract:

Discusses results of 2 focus group meetings that identified housing-design features that enhance or limit the everyday functioning of visually impaired persons. Focus Group 1, comprised of middle-aged and older visually impaired adults, discussed the impact of housing features on cooking, moving about, and performing personal care and home care activities. Focus Group 2, composed of professionals working with visually impaired children, discussed activities such as moving about, playing, and performing personal-hygiene tasks. Variability in responses to the issue of housing designs was attributed to age, degree of visual loss, age of onset, perceived housing needs, and attitudes toward the performance of routine tasks.