Exploring the Prevalence and Perception of Vision Impairment and Disability among Canada's Immigrant Population

Abstract

Immigrants are an important part of Canada and Canadian culture. Despite a large number of immigrants in Canada relatively few studies have focused on disability and immigrants. Even less research has been conducted on immigrants with visual impairments. The first paper uses the Participation Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) from 2006 to examine the prevalence of vision impairment in immigrants compared to non-immigrants, 50 years of age and over. First, descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence rate of vision impairment. Then, multivariate logistic regression was utilized to examine differences in providers of support and characteristics of individuals who receive support. Results disclosed that there was no difference in the prevalence rates of adult immigrants and non-immigrants over 50 years of age when controlling for age and gender. Results confirmed that there is a relationship between having a vision impairment and living in a low income household. Results also showed that receiving support is linked to severity of impairment. The second paper used qualitative analysis to examine visually impaired immigrants’ perception of vision impairment and disability and if perception influenced utilization of care. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 clients of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Results showed that immigrants’ employ three different views when explaining their impairment, these were; the medical view, social view and theological/ traditional view. All participants used two or more views interchangeably demonstrating that all views are important in understanding how immigrants perceive and navigate their impairment on an everyday basis. Results also suggested that negative perceptions did not keep most immigrants from accessing services; however, traditional barriers such as not being eligible to receive services and transportation were main barriers.