Visually Impaired Individuals’ Impression Management

Abstract

We examined visually impaired individuals’ impression management strategies through Goffman’s dramaturgical perspective. Consistent with the biomedical model of disability and ableism, participants managed appearance, suppressed emotions, and strategically asked for help in the frontstage to combat stereotypes, present as less of a burden, and serve as low-vision ambassadors. Backstage, participants expressed emotion privately, engaged in solitary pursuits, and coped through support groups and therapy. While therapy helped some resist ableist ideology, even backstage many participants struggled to decompress and find peace. Thus, a true backstage does not apply to people who are oppressed, as frontstage challenges constrained participants’ backstage coping.