Family Life of Parents With Visual Disabilities and Their Sighted Children: How their Families Could Be Empowered From the Social Work Point of View

Abstract

Families with parents with visual disabilities and sighted children continue to be viewed with suspicion and prejudice; however, when suitable conditions are provided, these families can function in a healthy manner. Social work, as a profession, is of great importance in terms of empowering these families. The aim of this article is to understand how such families function. We interrogate how disability affects functioning and consider the circumstances under which healthy family functioning occurs. Interviews were conducted with nine mothers and nine fathers with visual disabilities, and nine sighted children in Türkiye. The findings indicate that family members’ autonomy, their ability to adapt, and the social support they receive play key roles in the existence of a functional, strong family. Finally, suggestions are presented for social workers on how they can help families to make them stronger.