It is evident that the participants in the study experienced vast challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, participants demonstrated a great capacity for resilience. Despite facing isolation, unsafe or uncertain transportation, and compromised access to medical care and meals, study participants also wrote about strategies for carrying on. They shared some unexpected positives, such as enjoying seminars, concerts, and other entertainment via an expanding array of streaming services. Study participants leveraged problem solving and social connections to meet the unique challenges of the pandemic for those who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind.
"Before COVID, it was pretty isolating being what I am. After COVID, it was extremely isolating! Luckily, I have a core group of friends and we support each other. None of us became ill, and we all managed to get through this together although we don't live close to each other. Although we all have our loved ones and families, being blind and or visually impaired, we had that special edge to what was going on that only we could understand." —Study participant
