Abstract
ABSTRACT As increasing numbers of people develop sight impairments worldwide, an important body of research has examined emotional transitions experienced with the onset and progression of sight impairment. Many studies convey feelings of loss and social isolation, but there are growing concerns that the scripts of disability in this regard have become somewhat limited. This paper draws on the nature experiences of 31 people living with sight impairment in England to explore the value of nonhuman socialities, moving the ‘social’ beyond the typical realms of human-to-human interaction to foreground the importance of everyday birdlife encounters. For participants in this in-depth qualitative study – including people with congenital and acquired sight impairments – socialities nurtured through charismatic qualities of sound (termed ‘sonic charisma’), scent and touch contributed to experiences of situated connectivity, characterised by playful moments of curiosity, companionship and awe. Reflecting on implications for nature engagement and conservation practices, the paper explores how such relationships could usefully be fostered within efforts to mainstream more inclusive nature experiences in the context of people’s day-to-day lives and routines.
Highlights
253 million people worldwide are estimated to experience sight impairment (Bourne et al, 2017)
This paper draws on the nature experiences of 31 people living with sight impairment in England to explore the value of nonhuman socialities, moving the ‘social’ beyond the typical realms of human-tohuman interaction to foreground the importance of everyday birdlife encounters
For participants in this in-depth qualitative study – including people with congenital and acquired sight impairments – socialities nurtured through charismatic qualities of sound, scent and touch contributed to experiences of situated connectivity, characterised by playful moments of curiosity, companionship and awe
Summary
253 million people worldwide are estimated to experience sight impairment (Bourne et al, 2017). 899) as ‘an emotionally experienced being-with-others who are more-than-human’, including plants, animals or even fungi Broadening this conception of non-human sociality, this paper examines how socialities forged with everyday birdlife can contribute to playful moments of curiosity and companionship, alongside deeper experiences of awe, care and respect; positive encounters that are often under-explored within existing social and cultural geographies of disability. Before discussing these further, I elaborate on the detrimental impacts of negative social attitudes on everyday experiences of disability, and highlight calls for more affirmative models that understand impairment and disability as difference ‘to be expected and respected on its own terms, as an ordinary part of human experience rather than inevitably as misfortune’ I elaborate on the detrimental impacts of negative social attitudes on everyday experiences of disability, and highlight calls for more affirmative models that understand impairment and disability as difference ‘to be expected and respected on its own terms, as an ordinary part of human experience rather than inevitably as misfortune’ (Cameron, 2014, p. 24)
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