184999 Challenges and opportunities for physical activity among factory employees who are visually impaired

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Eileen C. Miller, BS , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Robert Aronson, DrPH , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Mark Schulz, PhD , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Kimberly D. Miller, MS , Department of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Lori E. Pelletier, BA , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Introduction: Individuals who are visually impaired are known to be less physically active and to have higher obesity rates than the general population; both are stroke risk factors.

Objectives: To identify the economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities for physical activity among individuals who are visually impaired. Methods: Mixed-methods were used to identify the challenges and opportunities. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with Industries for the Blind (IFB) employees and specialists working for Division of Services for the Blind. Focus group and survey questions were developed with input from specialists working in inclusive recreation, epidemiology, anthropology and information technology. Three focus groups of 5-7 employees, determined by time since vision loss (birth/early childhood; adult > five years, adult < 2 years), as well as a company wide web-based survey designed for use with adaptive technology, were held. Stroke risk screening data was collected from 159 of 315 employees.

Findings: Prevalence of obesity at IFB was 15% higher and diabetes and physical inactivity were 4 - 8% higher than among other local employees screened for stroke risk. Transport was the most often cited barrier to physical activity. Confidence and mobility may be determined by time since vision loss and the presence of supportive others.

Conclusion: Where visual impairment intersects with barriers experienced by all who want to be more active, provision must be made to create environments that increase accessibility and confidence. Fostering the community's reliance on supportive others by training peers to lead health promotion efforts may increase participation.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the challenges to being physically active experienced by individuals who are visually impaired. 2. Recognize the role that the built environment and social support play in assisting the visually impaired achieve optimal health through physical activity.

Keywords: Disability, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: At present, I am a MPH student of Community Health Education at UNCG. I recently conducted data analysis of stroke risk data from the federally funded Community Initiative to Eliminate Stroke (CITIES) project; some of the data used in this current study was from that CITIES project
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.