Abstract:
Compared to the general population, People with Disabilities (PWDs) are two to four times
more likely to struggle with substance abuse. Moreover, 40-50 per cent of PWDs who have
visual impairment may be categorized as heavy drinkers. Nevertheless, studies on
communication barriers undermining access to healthcare information resources and
messages are scarce. This study investigated the challenges experienced by the visually
impaired while accessing healthcare information regarding alcohol abuse. Using a purposive
sampling procedure, 25 participants with Visual impairment were identified from
rehabilitation centres and institutions for the PWDs within Nairobi County. Data was
generated through in-depth interviews, recorded, transcribed, analyzed thematically, and
presented in narrative form according to the themes. Study findings indicate that people with
visual impairment experience various challenges while accessing communication messages
against alcohol abuse. Most healthcare professionals lack the skills to communicate
effectively through Braille with people with visual impairment. The visually impaired also
encountered mobility challenges to or within the venues where alcohol communication
campaigns were conducted. The prohibitive cost of acquiring essential communication
gadgets, such as the Braille, and the scarceness of other necessary equipment acted as barriers
too. Furthermore, socio-cultural dynamics such as gendered socialization affected the
perceived need for information on Alcohol. Most male participants believed that they were
self-sufficient; hence, alcohol-addicted visually impaired males were not interested in
accessing messages against alcohol abuse. This paper highlights the need to consider special
groups such as the Visually Impaired while designing health communication messages in
campaigns against alcohol abuse.
