Date of Conferral

2-25-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Edoardo Naggiar

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of visually impaired professionals (VIPs) as they navigate workplace inclusion, identity, and systemic accessibility. Drawing on Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological psychological method, the study analyzed in-depth interviews with eleven purposefully selected participants across diverse professions. The research aimed to address a gap in disability studies by centering on the psychological meanings embedded in the narratives of VIPs; voices that are often underrepresented in organizational research. Through rigorous thematic analysis, three essential themes emerged: (1) the silent erasure of competence, reflecting the emotional labor required to assert professional legitimacy in ableist environments; (2) resilience as resistance, highlighting adaptive strategies, cognitive flexibility, and agency in the face of structural and interpersonal exclusion; and (3) belonging through advocacy, illustrating how vips actively shape inclusive cultures through mentorship, relational intelligence, and systems-level contributions. These findings extend existing theories of self-efficacy, disability identity, and resilience by positioning lived experience as a catalyst for both personal empowerment and institutional transformation. Implications for organizational policy, leadership development, and inclusive research design are discussed, with a particular focus on accessibility training, bias reduction, and fostering psychologically safe workplaces.

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