Bionic Vision, Social Work, and Community Development: A Research Participant’s Reflections

Abstract This article discusses bionic vision through the author’s experiences as Australia’s first research participant in an early prototype bionic eye trial. During her two-year participation, she drew on various theoretical perspectives, including critical and community development approaches th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHealth & social work Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 51 - 58
Main Author Ashworth, Dianne
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Oxford University Press 01.02.2018
Subjects
Adult
Agency and structure
Australia
Blindness
Community development
Community Relations
Community research
Disability
Disabled Persons - psychology
Empowerment
Female
Human Rights
Humans
Medical model
Medicine
Participation
People with disabilities
Physical disabilities
Power (Psychology)
Research Subjects - psychology
Residence Characteristics
Social development
Social Work
Vision
Visual Prosthesis - psychology
Worldview
Australia
community development
anti-oppressive practice
bionic vision
disability
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ISSN0360-7283
1545-6854
DOI10.1093/hsw/hlx043

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Summary:Abstract This article discusses bionic vision through the author’s experiences as Australia’s first research participant in an early prototype bionic eye trial. During her two-year participation, she drew on various theoretical perspectives, including critical and community development approaches that not only influence her professional social work perspective, but extend to her personal worldview. In a rapidly emerging biotechnological age, this article contributes a holistic perspective, bringing into focus theory and practice; issues of human experience, human rights, and oppressive relationships; tensions between agency and structure (particularly relating to disability from a social model of disability and the medical model); and practical applications of artificial vision. Beyond its practical applications, illuminated is the relevance of community development values and principles such as a sense of connectedness, participation, and empowerment, which are understood in terms of an antioppressive perspective. The article concludes by recognizing the potential benefit of bionic vision for vision-impaired and blind people in their everyday lives.
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ISSN:0360-7283
1545-6854
DOI:10.1093/hsw/hlx043